C beam reinforcement plates
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 36
From: Waynesboro, PA
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
C beam reinforcement plates
What was the verdict on these plates? Do they really help? Where's the best place to get them? I see Zip has them now, but for $179. I just figured while I have my car all apart, now would be a good time to install them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,490
Likes: 2
From: Oviedo FL
Re: C beam reinforcement plates (POLOVETTE 94)
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: C beam reinforcement plates (POLOVETTE 94)
The price has always struck me as very high for what they are, however I still want a set. After you fight trying to tigthen the torque arm bolts a few times and you can truly see the benefit of a product like this.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,680
Likes: 752
From: NEwhere Ohio
Re: C beam reinforcement plates (Nathan Plemons)
TIghten the torque arm bolts as tight as humanly possible - Beyond what the service manual calls for.
I tightened mine to spec and they came loose!
I recall posts about broken noses, chipped teeth , from tightening this thing.
I am sure the beam plates will help. Let us know.
I tightened mine to spec and they came loose!
I recall posts about broken noses, chipped teeth , from tightening this thing.
I am sure the beam plates will help. Let us know.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Re: C beam reinforcement plates
I agree the price is a little high, but the labor savings for a DIY'er such as myself, they make the job easier. If I spend 2-3 hours on several attempts to get that damn torque tube tight, then how much are they worth?
Eric
Eric
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,225
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: C beam reinforcement plates (Nathan Plemons)
The price has always struck me as very high for what they are, however I still want a set. After you fight trying to tigthen the torque arm bolts a few times and you can truly see the benefit of a product like this.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,856
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Re: C beam reinforcement plates (tuband)
I've put two clutches in my car.
The 2nd time I went out and got the beam plates.
OMG! was it easier putting it back in!
They're worth it.
It's a lot stiffer now too.
Quality peices, nice finish.
[Modified by BrianCunningham, 4:23 PM 8/25/2003]
The 2nd time I went out and got the beam plates.
OMG! was it easier putting it back in!
They're worth it.
It's a lot stiffer now too.
Quality peices, nice finish.
[Modified by BrianCunningham, 4:23 PM 8/25/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: C beam reinforcement plates (silver & red CE)
I had no difficulty tightening my c beam bolts.
There's plenty of room to put a large crescent wrench on the upper nut while sinching the bolt tight.
So... all these do is keep the bolts from coming loose? Sounds expensive. What ever happened to using safety wire!?
There's plenty of room to put a large crescent wrench on the upper nut while sinching the bolt tight.
So... all these do is keep the bolts from coming loose? Sounds expensive. What ever happened to using safety wire!?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix AZ
Re: C beam reinforcement plates (CentralCoaster)
I had no difficulty tightening my c beam bolts.
There's plenty of room to put a large crescent wrench on the upper nut while sinching the bolt tight.
There's plenty of room to put a large crescent wrench on the upper nut while sinching the bolt tight.
And I have them on both of my cars now - but they are really intended to limit flexing of the C-beam which is supposed to reduce the tendency of the rear end to kick out to the right under hard acceleration.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Re: C beam reinforcement plates (POLOVETTE 94)
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?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 835
Likes: 3
From: Water Winter Wonderland
Re: C beam reinforcement plates (93 ragtop)
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?
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]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 1
From: Wichita KS
Re: C beam reinforcement plates (ELEVENS)
You can't put that much detail work, TIG welding, & processing, into a hand made stainless steel item & sell it for much less. That is if you plan to make a profit. Our going rate is $62.50 an hour - material & labor.....
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh NC
Re: C beam reinforcement plates (ELEVENS)
93ragtop...you aren't missing anything here. You are right. It won't be stainless steel, it won't be 'beautiful' though.
Find a buddy that 'fabricates' and you can make a decent set in probably an hour (and that includes having a beer along the way) out of plate steel. Or get a piece of scrap plate, cut and drill them yourself, grind the edges a little, and then take it all to your local welder with $20 (heck probably $10 would do it) and have him tack the nuts on the plate for you. All the commercial ones do is allow you to probably use the stock bolts. Oh, yeah, they look pretty too and don't rust. I'll spend a few hours any day to save $140. Over the years $100 here and $100 there can add up to some big bucks that lets you buy more toys (tools in my case).
Find a buddy that 'fabricates' and you can make a decent set in probably an hour (and that includes having a beer along the way) out of plate steel. Or get a piece of scrap plate, cut and drill them yourself, grind the edges a little, and then take it all to your local welder with $20 (heck probably $10 would do it) and have him tack the nuts on the plate for you. All the commercial ones do is allow you to probably use the stock bolts. Oh, yeah, they look pretty too and don't rust. I'll spend a few hours any day to save $140. Over the years $100 here and $100 there can add up to some big bucks that lets you buy more toys (tools in my case).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 0
From: Toronto ONTARIO
Re: C beam reinforcement plates (DaveD)
Guys what is his website again?????/ I need to buy them asap before my tranny goes back in.
TIA :cheers:
I tried http://www.zfdoc.com but it doesnt seem to work :confused:
[Modified by DieL, 2:42 PM 8/26/2003]
TIA :cheers:
I tried http://www.zfdoc.com but it doesnt seem to work :confused:
[Modified by DieL, 2:42 PM 8/26/2003]