New LS1 Owners - Newbie Tech Basic Technical Questions & Advice
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Which SFC's

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 24, 2008 | 09:33 AM
  #1  
adidazman15's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Default Which SFC's

I have an 02 trans am M6
my mods are - SLP Loudmouth (soon to be a magnaflow)
SLP Lid
American Racing Headers and ORY
(CAM/Tune + Pulley coming soon)

Can I get away with tubular I should be making around 400rwhp when the car is finished.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2008 | 09:42 AM
  #2  
Z Fury's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 10
From: Indianapolis
Default

I've been doing some reading in the suspension/braking section, and have come to learn that SFCs don't do as much as I had originally thought. They will keep the frame more rigid, but rigidity shouldn't be an issue unless you are doing radical things (and 400 hp isn't radical) or unless the car has been wrecked before. Not to say they are a bad mod, just not an absolute necessity.

That said, I'm running the UMI 3-point tubular SFCs, and have no issue at all. If I had it to do over again, I would have spent the money elsewhere first, such as LCAs, adjustable panhard, etc.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2008 | 10:04 AM
  #3  
CRAGER's Avatar
Administrator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 29,404
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Default

SFC's are a good mod, and 400rwhp you will get flex. If you have stock hp and maybe want to autocross then that is the only reason you might not want them. If you ever plan to hook, and more so with 400rwhp get them.

The tubular ones are fine, I have them and I push 551rwhp.

Peace,
Craig.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2008 | 10:45 AM
  #4  
Spd-Kilz's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (35)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,424
Likes: 5
From: Rack City
Default

Which ones are more rigid? The boxed ones, or the tubular?
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2008 | 11:13 AM
  #5  
CRAGER's Avatar
Administrator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 29,404
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Default

The boxed ones are, nice avatar btw! lol

Peace,
Craig.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2008 | 12:16 PM
  #6  
Z Fury's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 10
From: Indianapolis
Default

3pt vs. 2pt. SFCs
This is kind of an old thread, but it shows you where I'm basing my response from. The SFCs are a great mod if you are running stock suspension, but not necessary if you upgrade to a better suspension.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2008 | 12:29 PM
  #7  
CRAGER's Avatar
Administrator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 29,404
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Default

Wrong, with power and traction will come flex. No matter what springs/shocks you have.

Peace,
Craig.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2008 | 12:33 PM
  #8  
LS1crazy01's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 0
From: ILLINOIS
Default

Sub frame connectors are great for even stock power. They make your car pick up more evenly. I put them on after I did lid,cat back, and rear control arms. I have BMR boxed and welded ones that I got from Speed Inc. I love them. Makes a huge handling difference on the car.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 24, 2008 | 12:35 PM
  #9  
teke184's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 3
From: Key West, Florida
Default

i put my boxed SFC on the car at 45K miles when i got the car. i felt an IMMEDIATE difference over uneven roads...particularly on bridges (i live near LOTS of them).

the small "dips" formed from each section of the bridge created a pretty good test area.

i could feel the car's suspension working more, the body was flexing less and absorbing less.

to me it almost seemed liek the ride got rougher....since the body wasn't absorbing as much, the shortcomings of a 45K mile stock suspension really shined through.

i say they are a GREAT mod. and i'm not convinced you'll ever notice a difference between the different kinds.

supposedly the boxed version hang lower, but on my car they were not the lowest part.

i have quite a few install pics on page 3 of my website in the signature
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2008 | 12:49 PM
  #10  
Z Fury's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 10
From: Indianapolis
Default

Originally Posted by CRAGER
Wrong, with power and traction will come flex. No matter what springs/shocks you have.

Peace,
Craig.
SFCs won't eliminate flex either. They help eliminate it, but no car is 100% rigid. This is per Steve Strano, whom I tend to believe when it comes to suspension/chasis issues on these cars.

I'll support my point no more. I'm not saying they are a bad mod at all, but if I had to do it all over again, I'd go with suspension mods before I'd get SFCs.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2008 | 12:50 PM
  #11  
1Loudz28's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (47)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 711
Likes: 0
From: BAY AREA CA
Default

tubular Global West SFCs. great clearance if youre lowered.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2008 | 12:51 PM
  #12  
LS1crazy01's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 0
From: ILLINOIS
Default

Originally Posted by Z Fury
SFCs won't eliminate flex either. They help eliminate it, but no car is 100% rigid. This is per Steve Strano, whom I tend to believe when it comes to suspension/chasis issues on these cars.

I'll support my point no more. I'm not saying they are a bad mod at all, but if I had to do it all over again, I'd go with suspension mods before I'd get SFCs.

Yah I agree. No car is 100% but you can get pretty close. I also have a BMR strut tower brace wich also helps out a bit.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2008 | 01:02 PM
  #13  
Snowman2K1's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 173
Likes: 0
From: Southern Cali
Default

i have slp sfc
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2008 | 01:13 PM
  #14  
TXZ28LS1's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,163
Likes: 3
From: Classified
Default

i plan on goin with some hotchkis SFC
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2008 | 06:24 PM
  #15  
adidazman15's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
Default

I am going to used boxed, you never know what lies ahead and I don't want to cut something out I already welded.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2008 | 06:57 PM
  #16  
WS6addiction's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, Ne
Default

From what I've read on here, the 4th gens. are alot more rigid than they used to be. But back in the day it was a rule of thumb that if you were pushing 300+ rwhp and dumping the clutch in ANY unibody you NEED sfcs. Failure to use them resulted in a buckled floorpan under the back seat.

Just a little food for thought.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2008 | 07:26 PM
  #17  
01ssreda4's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (96)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Default

the ability to jack your car up from anywhere along the side is awesome. i cringe when i see or hear the door/doors twist. they are worth every penny.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2008 | 01:31 PM
  #18  
SS#1531's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Alamogordo, NM
Default

They are worth it no matter what power you are putting down. I noticed an immediate improvement in ride and handling.
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2008 | 01:48 PM
  #19  
CranMaro99's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 1
From: Washington
Default

Originally Posted by CRAGER
SFC's are a good mod, and 400rwhp you will get flex. If you have stock hp and maybe want to autocross then that is the only reason you might not want them. If you ever plan to hook, and more so with 400rwhp get them.

The tubular ones are fine, I have them and I push 551rwhp.

Peace,
Craig.
Why are SFC's bad for autocross?
Reply
Old Mar 27, 2008 | 02:10 PM
  #20  
LS1crazy01's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 0
From: ILLINOIS
Default

I think you would be stupid not to use them for Auto cross! It handles so much better with them.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:00 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE