Installed No Flex Frame Stiffener Bar System

[XfireZ51]

Originally Posted by aafc

I ordered the no flex frame stiffener for my 1990 auto eq. zr-1 on Dec.
17. 2013. installation was completed on the 21 of Dec on a 4 post lift.It took
a little longer then what the instructions said. Front brackets took about
20 mins to install. The rear brackets took a bit longer because i have DRM
c4 trailing arm brackets installed. the lower dog leg had to be moved to gain
access to the lower trailing arm bracket bolt.
After installing the rear frame stiffener bracket and bolt, torque the assembly
to 80 lbs. The lower dog leg was reinstalled and ride height checked.
Without adjusting the frame stiffener i jacked up the car at the right front
(about 5in off the ground) i could not open the doors. lowered the car tighten
the frame stiffener bars and raised the right front again, i could open the door.
Took the z for a ride Sunday the 22nd, car felt more stable without body
flex.
I drag race my z and have pulled 60ft times of 1.73 to 1.79 running 11.69
to 11.76 @ 117-119 mph. Next test and tune will be Jan 4, 2014, I'll
you know how this works out.

Merry Christmas
John Becker

member #0115

John,

Very interested to hear if this makes any difference in getting power to the ground.

[efnfast]

Please, keep us up to speed on this. Thanks.

[ZZZZZR1]

Originally Posted by aafc

I ordered the no flex frame stiffener for my 1990 auto eq. zr-1 on Dec.
17. 2013. installation was completed on the 21 of Dec on a 4 post lift.It took
a little longer then what the instructions said. Front brackets took about
20 mins to install. The rear brackets took a bit longer because i have DRM
c4 trailing arm brackets installed. the lower dog leg had to be moved to gain
access to the lower trailing arm bracket bolt.
After installing the rear frame stiffener bracket and bolt, torque the assembly
to 80 lbs. The lower dog leg was reinstalled and ride height checked.
Without adjusting the frame stiffener i jacked up the car at the right front
(about 5in off the ground) i could not open the doors. lowered the car tighten
the frame stiffener bars and raised the right front again, i could open the door.
Took the z for a ride Sunday the 22nd, car felt more stable without body
flex.
I drag race my z and have pulled 60ft times of 1.73 to 1.79 running 11.69
to 11.76 @ 117-119 mph. Next test and tune will be Jan 4, 2014, I'll
you know how this works out.

Merry Christmas
John Becker

member #0115

John

Ran I to the same issues (I have the DRM trailing arm brackets). I think there should be better instructions made....

I still need to fine tune the bolts and make it even stiffer

Satisfied? I'm very satisfied so far. Can't wait till the summer



David

[-=Jeff=-]

I would suggest you send the suggestions to vette2vette for him to possibly update the instructions

[Tony Davila]

Just ordered mine ...... I can't wait,
now I just need a roll bar too.

[key_on]

I ordered one today also. Will install it soon, but it will be awhile before I can drive it to know how much it helps. I don't expect the roads around here to be salt free for quite some time.

[aafc]

UP date,
Email vette to vette to let them know about DRM trailing arm brackets, during
the install of the c4 no flex frame stiffener.Asked how many turns do you
make on the bars?
Test and tune this Jan 2014 will be Fri Jan 3 from 6pm till 10pm. and then
Sunday fun day on the 5th of JAN 10AM TILL 5PM.
The ZR -1 is ready to go.
John Becker
1990 ZR-1 white/black #2546
one of a few auto (4l80E) eq. Zr-1's
member #0115

[aafc]

Well i hit the track this past Sunday with the frame stiffener bars in place.
Made 5 runs, temp was between 71 to 80 deg, good bite , air was good but not
great. With the bars in place the car hooked good but did not improve 60ft.
times. 60ft. times for all 5 runs ranged from 1.74 to 1.76 , 1/8 mile E.T. time
from 7.66 to 7.68 with mph between 92.84 slowest to 93.05 fastest.
The quickest 1/4 mile run was 11.87 @ 116.70 and the slowest run was
11.93 @ 108.53. I have to say that the bars did a good job, the the car ran
straight and steady. If you want to see a run ( 2nd run of the day ) Go to
www.raceosw.com, click on photos and video ,click on OSW Funday Sunday
01-05-2014, page 2 4th row down 3rd pic,click on on photo for full page
shot. Note that i still have the stock front tires on not the skinny tires.
Thats about it , i need to go outside and cover my stag horn plant as the
temp will drop to 32 deg or lower tonight.
Next time out i will have the skinny tires on the car.
John
1990 white/black #2546
one of a few auto (4l80E ) eq ZR-1's

[Bob Eyres]

John- I see the photo. Is there any video?
Besides the automatic, what are the mods on your car? Gears? Tires? Stall speed? Have you taken any weight out of the car?
I've got a similar car (see below), and I've always thought that an automatic would improve the qtr. mi. times by getting a better launch.
My stick shift car has done a best e.t. (12.06)- .13 slower, but 9mph faster. @117, with a 60ft. time, (1.76), under similar conditions.

So, in a hypothetical race, they launch the same and are even at the 60ft. mark. At mid track you're pulling away. In the traps I'm catching up but not enough to catch you. And you win by what? 2-3 car lengths? Interesting. It looks like the auto is allowing a good consistent launch, but is taking away some h.p. at the other end of the track.

I doubt if the stiffener bars help in the qtr. mi. Probably more suited to a road course where the stiffened chassis would keep your tires planted better. What do you think?

BTW, the weather in Fla. now is like the Chicago guys get in the Fall, probably ideal for making power. I'd bet you could pull an 11.75 in this cold air with the same setup, if the car hooks on a cold track.
We've got to race some day....but I'd better find some more H.P. first.

[Bob Eyres]

Well, Duh. I just re-read your post and see that I was looking at your slowest run, not fastest.
It looks like we're trapping at roughly the same speed, but your e.t. is almost two tenths quicker. Looks like the auto helps in the qtr. mi., but not just at the launch.
I still want to race, but I better go see Haibeck first.