Installed No Flex Frame Stiffener Bar System - Page 4 - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

XfireZ51 · 12-26-2013

Quote:

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 · 12-26-2013

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

ZZZZZR1 · 12-26-2013

Quote:

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=- · 12-26-2013

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

Tony Davila · 12-27-2013

Just ordered mine

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

key_on · 12-27-2013

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 · 12-28-2013

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 · 01-06-2014

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 · 01-07-2014

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 · 01-07-2014

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.

12-26-2013	#32
efnfast Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dunbarton NH Posts: 7,492	Re: Installed No Flex Frame Stiffener Bar System Please, keep us up to speed on this. Thanks.

12-26-2013	#34
-=Jeff=- Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bartlett, IL Posts: 7,169	Re: Installed No Flex Frame Stiffener Bar System I would suggest you send the suggestions to vette2vette for him to possibly update the instructions __________________ 1990 Corvette ZR-1 #1051 Watson Headers (2" Primary) - Flowmaster Cats - Borla Catback Late Model IH - Plenum Coilovers - 4.10s Custom Interior NCM Lifetime Member #978

12-27-2013	#35
Tony Davila Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Enterprise, Alabama Posts: 352	Re: Installed No Flex Frame Stiffener Bar System Just ordered mine ...... I can't wait, now I just need a roll bar too. __________________ Tony Davila (Projects) Water Meth: http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=19422 Exhaust cut outs: http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=22689 Auxiliary 12V install: http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=22878 Auxiliary pusher fan install: http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=22859 Oil Catch can Project: http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=20320

12-27-2013	#36
key_on Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Lees Summit, MO Posts: 102	Re: Installed No Flex Frame Stiffener Bar System 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.

12-28-2013	#37
aafc Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ochlocknee, GA Posts: 435	Re: Installed No Flex Frame Stiffener Bar System 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

01-06-2014	#38
aafc Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Ochlocknee, GA Posts: 435	Re: Installed No Flex Frame Stiffener Bar System 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

01-07-2014	#39
Bob Eyres Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Jupiter, Fl. Posts: 815	Re: Installed No Flex Frame Stiffener Bar System 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. __________________ "It's about the car, not the people." 1991 ZR-1 White/Black #1236 (Owner since 1994). Stock engine with bolt-ons: Hurst shifter,"Forced Air" intake, Coplon duct, Bee Cool Radiator, Demon coils, Jeal prom, Watson headers, X pipe, 3" B&B's, Rippie flywheel, 4:10 gears, A molds, Toyo Proxes-R888's 12.06@117mph. 1.76 60ft.