Beam plates
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
When and if you ever remove your tranny, these beam plates make it easy to install the C-beam. Also they're supposed to increase the surface area for clamping the C-beam to the tranny and the diff. I wouldn't install them unless you plan on removing the tranny. They are a well built product.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 16,282
Likes: 104
From: Sun city CA
Driveline deflection
As I understand it this is what they do. They reduce driveline deflection. Where driveline deflection is most noticeable is when you shift into second gear under hard acceleration. C4s tend to step out to the right with the rear end in this scenario. Beam plates eliminate or reduce this dynamic considerably. They also make the car feel more solid which is hard to prove because it is all relative to many other factors. They also make removal of the C beam much easier because you don't need a back up wrench on top loosen or tighten the nuts.
I like em !
I like em !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,284
Likes: 51
From: Jacksonville, FL
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '26
Another vote for them!
I put them in my 90 and I was a bit skeptical at first but after the install they do what they were advertized to do.
Plus they made the trans re-install way easier!
Which is why I bought the kit to begin with. The kit comes with "plates" that you use on the top OE nuts in place of a wrench....waaaaay easier on the removal. The plates or "tool" also serves as a go-no go gauge to align the C-beam on the way back in. It's a neat set up and I felt it was worth the $, JMHO though.
Tom
Plus they made the trans re-install way easier!
Which is why I bought the kit to begin with. The kit comes with "plates" that you use on the top OE nuts in place of a wrench....waaaaay easier on the removal. The plates or "tool" also serves as a go-no go gauge to align the C-beam on the way back in. It's a neat set up and I felt it was worth the $, JMHO though. Tom
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: Bradford Pa
i took the initiative and took the beam plates to the extreme...
what i did was use i believe 2" wide by 3/16" steel stock and cut into pieces that contoured the orig. C-Beam (3 pieces top and 4 bottom...or vice versa). i them welded the sections together and added the rails for the bolts on the upper beam. so instead of just "beam plates" i now have my C-Beam sandwiched in solid steel. i do not think the driveline will flex anymore...
but yes dear GOD did it make reinstalling the C-Beam easier...that alone is worth it. i needed no extra tools besides a hammer and an impact wrench
what i did was use i believe 2" wide by 3/16" steel stock and cut into pieces that contoured the orig. C-Beam (3 pieces top and 4 bottom...or vice versa). i them welded the sections together and added the rails for the bolts on the upper beam. so instead of just "beam plates" i now have my C-Beam sandwiched in solid steel. i do not think the driveline will flex anymore...
but yes dear GOD did it make reinstalling the C-Beam easier...that alone is worth it. i needed no extra tools besides a hammer and an impact wrench
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,284
Likes: 51
From: Jacksonville, FL
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '26
Tom
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,097
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati Oh
The r/r of the c-beam is easier. My rear still kicks to right under hard acceleration, but not as bad as before the beam plates. I think they are worth it for the r/r of the c-beam alone. I don't think I would just buy them for "performance" under acceleration.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,922
Likes: 38
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
The beam plates made my car feel solid. Its hard to explain but the car goes straighter when launching at the drag. I also believe the age of the car "shows" itself by being loose, and items like this are so good they bring it back to what it was when new or even better when installed with a lower mileage car. So, I beleive they are worth it. IMHO
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: Bradford Pa
for instance, this gives a good visual of my beam plates...lol
do you think she'll flex any now?
i did this on top and bottom, and just added the rails for the nuts on the top side...
do you think she'll flex any now?
i did this on top and bottom, and just added the rails for the nuts on the top side...
Last edited by Fubar569; Jan 31, 2007 at 12:35 AM.