Hey all, I have been reading about the sfc being one of the best "bolt-on" mods to do and now am looking at a set of black UMI's. Before I make the order, I was wandering what else I might need for the suspension. I do not plan on turning this into a drag car/autocross or anything like that. Any suggestions other than sfc's for my 24K mile weekend car? Thanks all.

 

SFC's will be a huge difference in the way the car handles- you will notice a big reduction in dash movement and rattles as well.

There is always upgrading shocks/springs, urethane bushings and sway bars.

Good luck

 

tubular lcas really helped my car with wheel hop, Id definately throw a set of them under there

 

I have the UMI sfc's- good stuff! I also went with the adjustable torque arm that attached to the connector between the sfc's- It rubbed me the wrong way that the stock torque arm was dumping all the rear axle torque loads onto the tail of the transmission, which is mounted on rubber mounts. When running the car hard, I could see the shifter moving around as the loads changed, and it irked me- didn't seem to be the 'right way' of doing things. Recommend both- it lays down power now much more smoothly- never had a problem with wheel hop, don't know if that is the reason why.

 

Does anyone have experience with adding SFC to a convertible? My car shakes a lot -- especially when the top is down. Any first-hand experience? Mrs. Mudbone would like to know.

 

Okay a couple things: I have decided to go with the UMI SFC's even though they are $300! Also while I am ordering I thought I might just go ahead and get the LCA's. There are so many different varieties though. Adjustable with poly, non-adjustable with rubber, dual-roto joint etc. Is it a bad thing just to want the non-adjustable arms? It is a kit with the panhard rod also. (any thoughts on the PRod would be great). Also is an aftermarket tranny crossmember (other than the stock one) necessary?

So the million dollar question is: SFC's, LCA's, Panhard Rod and Crossmember or 1, 2, Panhard Rod and no crossmember?

Thanks all.

 

Buddy of mine had a very high HP 30th SS convertible..... and he ran a set of fairly inexpensive MAC tubular SFC's that he installed right after he bought the car in 1997. Over the course of making various exhaust upgrades, he ditched the convertible's unique "X" sheet metal brace on the floor pans. Eventually, the SFC's were tied together with the front mount for a Madman torque arm. But, since the car eventually ran in the low 8's, it also had a very beefy roll cage, that probably did a lot more than the SFC's to strengthen the chassis.

 

Fred,

I have no plans to high HP mod my convertible -- Mrs. Mudbone would hang me. Do you think a set of standard SFCs for a 'vert would subdue our shaking?

 

Any braces or tubing that you add to the car is prol going to help- and given how much the coupes shudder around I'm sure the 'verts can use all the help they can get.

 

I'm installing Kook long tubes w/3" y-pipe on my '96 Z28 and wonder if I will have clearance issues with a set of UMI SFC's

 

Mudbone -- the SFCs helped mine a little bit. I used the weld-in UMI convertible version. (I think the triangulated ones don't fit because of the x-brace; not sure having the stamped x-brace is better than no x-brace and triangulated sfcs?)

 

pgerst, Would your "little bit" be enough to recommend doing it, or just meh?

 

Mudbone -- Yes, I would do it again. I added the sfc at the same time I did a shock tower brace (Edelbrock triangulated version) so I am not sure how much of the increased stiffness comes from the sfc versus stb but suspect the majority from the sfc. That being said, sfc/stb do as advertised and stiffen the chassis and will noticeably reduce rattle/flex as well as the cross-corner wobble that happens at higher speeds.

(My "little bit" is more of a bang for the buck ranking of suspension mods that I have done. I have read posts that say sfc are the most important suspension upgrade and my feeling is that I got more out of the ls1 brake upgrade, performance springs/shocks, watts link in terms of increased handling performance.)