Beam Plates
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Portsmouth Virginia 396LT4 435RWHP/400RWTQ Best so far 11.26 @ 123mph
Rick
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,525
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From: Houston TX
With the plates, no more lossening over time, thus no c-beam movement, thus no unloading of the driveline, leading to more consistent (and quicker) ETs.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
The standard fasteners loosened several times in the past. There was considerable movement in the C-beam with the bolts not quite factory tight.
With the plates, no more lossening over time, thus no c-beam movement, thus no unloading of the driveline, leading to more consistent (and quicker) ETs.
With the plates, no more lossening over time, thus no c-beam movement, thus no unloading of the driveline, leading to more consistent (and quicker) ETs.
This is exactly my point. Performance gains are not found in the plates.
Yet better fastening strength is gained providing consistency.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,226
Likes: 9
From: Irvine Ca
^^Look at the workmanship there!! And somehow Strick did it for less than $180!
I still question the performance enhancing value, as no one has been able to clearly explain the benefit. Those that try only explain how lack of proper maintenance caused some sort of felling and these plates stopped the fasteners from loosening up .....but I'll never fault one for getting them....and anyone that has wrestled the C-Beam even on time would agree with me.
I still question the performance enhancing value, as no one has been able to clearly explain the benefit. Those that try only explain how lack of proper maintenance caused some sort of felling and these plates stopped the fasteners from loosening up .....but I'll never fault one for getting them....and anyone that has wrestled the C-Beam even on time would agree with me.
Last edited by jhammons01; Aug 12, 2009 at 01:27 PM.
Le Mans Master
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From: Merritt Island, FL
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Manassas VA
I wouldnt argue with anyone about those being a very nice looking, quality peice of work. But for me, first off I never had a problem with the beam flexing, at least that I know of. So in my mind the only real advantage would be ease of beam installation. That being said it wasnt worth it to pay $100+ for them. But making them like rodj did, I believe I will!! Besides, who cares what they look like? who's going to see them after they are installed?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,146
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From: Troy Ohio
I guess im lucky. Ive never had a c beam bolt come loose, And I dont think its very hard to take them out. An open end wrence on top nut and air gun on bottom bolt and they come out quite easily.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
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From: Manassas VA
I agree, except I have pinched my fingers a few times trying to hold the wrench on top! And trying to fit such a big wrench up in there.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,651
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From: Apple Valley MN
I installed them while I had my car apart earlier this summer - they seemed to reduce the tendency of the rear end to kick out on acceleration. They're probably not all that hard to make, but I got no skilz in that department.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Troy Ohio
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
And like you said "makes installing the C-Beam much easier". For me its a matter of ease when checking the torque each winter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Australia
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 456
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From: Sumner Texas
The key stock was a good idea.
I wish I could sell all of those "beam plates" that I could make for $180 a set. I would be retired and living in Hawaii inside of two years.
Team Owner
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From: Riverside County Southern California
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Hmmm, I was wondering if the bolts will be long enough to clear the extra beam thickness 
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: Sandhills of North Carolina