C beam reinforcement plates
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,680
Likes: 752
From: NEwhere Ohio
Re: C beam reinforcement plates (DieL)
Anyone here who can make those and sell them for less. I highly recommend it.
I dont believe they (Whoever makes them) contracts some machine shop at $62.50/hr to make them. They likely have some of the equipment themselves and make a 400% profit on them or something like that.
I bet if the same part sold for the Camaro LT-1 Z28, It'd be half the price of what we are charged.
Its kinda like the difference in price of the ATI procharger for the Camaro and the Corvette LT-1.
I dont believe they (Whoever makes them) contracts some machine shop at $62.50/hr to make them. They likely have some of the equipment themselves and make a 400% profit on them or something like that.
I bet if the same part sold for the Camaro LT-1 Z28, It'd be half the price of what we are charged.
Its kinda like the difference in price of the ATI procharger for the Camaro and the Corvette LT-1.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,490
Likes: 2
From: Oviedo FL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Re: C beam reinforcement plates (ELEVENS)
I guess I am missing something here, but why couldnt you just take a steel plate, approximately 2in. X 5in. , drill two holes in it, and weld the nuts to them? Would this not do the same thing?
Sure, knock yourself out. But for some (most?) of us, by the time you get all the hardened fasteners and steel stock, measure and cut all the pieces, grind edges, jig them, TIG weld them, bead blast them, you've got 4 or 5 hours into it. Granted you might not want to make them look THAT pretty, but then if you were buying them from a retailer, we expect a good fit and finish.
Here's a pic of Beam Plates done right. These are from Bill B. (ZFDoc):
:cheers: -Bill
[Modified by ELEVENS, 7:44 AM 8/26/2003]
Sure, knock yourself out. But for some (most?) of us, by the time you get all the hardened fasteners and steel stock, measure and cut all the pieces, grind edges, jig them, TIG weld them, bead blast them, you've got 4 or 5 hours into it. Granted you might not want to make them look THAT pretty, but then if you were buying them from a retailer, we expect a good fit and finish.
Here's a pic of Beam Plates done right. These are from Bill B. (ZFDoc):
:cheers: -Bill
[Modified by ELEVENS, 7:44 AM 8/26/2003]
Bill,
Im not saying they arent worth it. I simply didnt see it. Heck, making them out of steel other then stainless could cause problems I suppose, I just dont know. I had considered getting the nuts that are of the same thread and a piece of steel and welding them up myself. I have a small lincoln wire feed welder, a drill press , and a small hand grinder. I dont believe it would take that much to make them.
I hope I didnt offend anyone with this post, as this was not my intention.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 0
From: La Fontaine Indiana
Re: C beam reinforcement plates (93 ragtop)
Building these would be a piece of cake. If you think building those plates is a job don't try building a custom intercooler because you will find out what designing and welding is about. Be a cold day in hell when I would pay that much for those plates but I understand that a lot of people can't build them and they have to buy them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 1
From: Wichita KS
Re: C beam reinforcement plates (93 ragtop)
The price of these always comes up in every post about them. I don't know about Bill, I purchased them & I'm not offended. If you have the time then get after it, any one that completed a 9th grade machine shop class should be able to drill & tap a hole in a flat steel plate...I've got a Lincoln tig welder, Bridgeport mill, Atlas lathe, just not in the mood to tear down setups & spend time fabricating what turned out to be a $125 item.
I only fabricate custom pieces when I can't find something that suits me, or when I'm making custom pieces.
Not trying to put anyone down, I realize there is a certain satisfaction to building your own stuff/parts. The only thing better is when you are building stuff that you design yourself. I know I do it 8-10 hours everyday.
I only fabricate custom pieces when I can't find something that suits me, or when I'm making custom pieces.
Not trying to put anyone down, I realize there is a certain satisfaction to building your own stuff/parts. The only thing better is when you are building stuff that you design yourself. I know I do it 8-10 hours everyday.
Pro
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 673
Likes: 0
From: Venetia,Pa,USA
Re: C beam reinforcement plates (superlund)
You guys are forgetting, these nuts are held in place and can float to assist alignment of bolts. I've had my bolts work loose. After removing the exhaust and trying to get a wrench and hand on top to hold the nuts to tighten them you''ll beg to buy the plates. Trying to align the nuts and hold them with no room for hands are wrenches brings ugly words.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 835
Likes: 3
From: Water Winter Wonderland
Re: C beam reinforcement plates (93 ragtop)
Bill,
Im not saying they arent worth it. I simply didnt see it. Heck, making them out of steel other then stainless could cause problems I suppose, I just dont know. I had considered getting the nuts that are of the same thread and a piece of steel and welding them up myself. I have a small lincoln wire feed welder, a drill press , and a small hand grinder. I dont believe it would take that much to make them.
I hope I didnt offend anyone with this post, as this was not my intention.
Im not saying they arent worth it. I simply didnt see it. Heck, making them out of steel other then stainless could cause problems I suppose, I just dont know. I had considered getting the nuts that are of the same thread and a piece of steel and welding them up myself. I have a small lincoln wire feed welder, a drill press , and a small hand grinder. I dont believe it would take that much to make them.
I hope I didnt offend anyone with this post, as this was not my intention.
It sounds like you have the tools and know-how to make your own plates. If you have the time - go for it. I have no doubt you can do it and do it well.
The point I tried (but failed) to make was many (or most) of us don't have what it takes to make effective plates.
For example, if I tried it with my hand drill, Hackmaster (Sawzall) and oxy-acetylene torch, I'd end up with an awful set of steel Swiss-cheese potato chips... :smash: :smash:
:cheers: -Bill
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 681
Likes: 2
From: Newton (Wichita Area) Kansas
Re: C beam reinforcement plates (The Bus)
The zfdoc website says something about prevent driveline beam deflection which manifests itself in the rear end 'kicking out' under hard acceleration. The only time I've ever noticed this was when one of my halfshaft u-joints was FUBAR. When cruising on the highway, if I hit the gas the rear would momentarily steer or kick out in one direction. This must have been why! The sudden shock to the driveline beam from the slack in the broken u-joint must have caused the driveline beam to deflect.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
Re: C beam reinforcement plates (DieL)
Well it looks like there is a 50/50 split on get them or make them. I am about to do all six of my u-joints. After installing my tranny back in a little while ago I wouldn't mind having a set....maybe that group purchase idea shouldn't be a joke? ? ? :smash:
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,911
Likes: 101
From: Manassas VA
NoVa Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '14
Re: C beam reinforcement plates (POLOVETTE 94)
I have them installed, and I noticed a major difference. Before the car felt like the rear end was kicking out to the right and I was told by another forum member to install the plates and the flexing is gone. I didn't pay 179.00 either. I think i paid like 140.. I purchase them off of another forum member, and I can't think of his name now. He runs the ZR-1 registry or something. He has like 3 or 4 ZR-1s.. anyways. He purchased 30 or so sets from ZFdoc and was selling them for 140 bucks.. Give or a take a few dollars.
bottom line, I would install the beam plates!!
:yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:
E-mail bill and see if he'll do a group purchase.
bottom line, I would install the beam plates!!
:yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:
E-mail bill and see if he'll do a group purchase.
