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I have the prototype set from Don. He used my car for the template. They work very good and are easy to install.
Posts: 24 | From: Columbus, IN | Registered: Jan 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Robbie 2002 #9131: I have the prototype set from Don. He used my car for the template. They work very good and are easy to install.
Take it from the man who and was instrumental in the design of these units. Thanks Rob
Well there has been such a demand for these that SLP will now begin prototyping bolt-on SFC's for convertibles. I believe I could save them a whole lot of trouble by selling them my design. They are effective, require no grinding (sorry Rich)or modifcations to install. There are 5 sets unspoken for.
quote: SLP will now begin prototyping bolt-on SFC's for convertibles.
...It would be nice to see them work 'with' you, ...but I think that's wishfull thinking...
Posts: 1046 | From: Pine Bush, NY USA | Registered: Aug 2001
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Kevin I beleive you're correct Hey I'm just a guy that saw something that the big boys didn't think was a viable product. I think after beating them over the head with it they finally had to react. I do not profess to be a genius but I'am a salesman who can recognize a market. My leanings are to the on going success of SLP and I would love to work with them on this and other projects. I'm sure they are aware of who is making them and how to contact me.My gut feeling is that they would like me to go away and view me as just a guy tinkering with a few pieces of steel. I must say the reaction and simple market survey that was provided to SLP should prove to be profitable for both of us. The F-Body is not the only car I'm working on but we've given SLP enough to think about. I truely hope they can bring a product to market for this up coming convertible season. My design is the foundation that can be improved upon.The basic structure is already there and modications will be simple to make.
Posts: 298 | From: Mason, OH | Registered: Feb 2003
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Hey, we have all been BEGGING SLP for over 4 years to make bolt on convert SFC's, and their response was "there is no market", even though we ran many poles to find out how many out there needed them. I would have much rather bought them from SLP, since they are more like "factory" since they would be from SLP. Now that somebody else finally steps up, they are going to try and steal the thunder? No flaming, just my observation. I modified a set of KBDD's to bolt in, just so I didnt have to weld on the car. Good luck in your quest! Posts: 1443 | From: Lake Oswego, Oregon | Registered: Dec 2001
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I'm also interested. No biggy for welding or bolt on but from what I've seen on SLP the SFCs are non verts. So who sells them? I'll be looking into them later next month.
Posts: 4 | From: Miami, Fla. | Registered: Dec 2002
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Steve da Wrench: [QB] Hey, we have all been BEGGING SLP for over 4 years to make bolt on convert SFC's, and their response was "there is no market", even though we ran many poles to find out how many out there needed them. Now that somebody else finally steps up, they are going to try and steal the thunder? Good luck in your quest!
That's what I heard time and time again so I decided to see if there really was a market. If you wait for someone else to do something for you will more than likely be dead before it happens. I have tried several time this week to contact SLP to discuss this matter now I truely know what convertible owners have been dealing with all these years. Let's help SLP once again, and believe me I don't know why I bother. Take convertible production of Z28's and SS's divide in half these are your cutomers and they are the market. I figure half of the production will not modified their cars. Sorry Firebird owners didn't mean to leave you out but that will drive the number higher. Now take that number and half it again. That is the Bolt-on market,very crude. With good salepeople I believe it is possible to sell to 20% of the ones that would not normally modify their cars. Those who listen to their customers will be successful.Those who react only to their competion's offering are commonly refered to as followers. I know of no one that owns an F-Body that is content being a follower.
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I have more to say. SLP chose not to listen but that's all I did before formulating a design. Even during prototyping we changed the design ideas to improve these. Those who have their sets reserved will soon be tranforming their ragtops into better cars without the help of those who chose not to listen.
Posts: 298 | From: Mason, OH | Registered: Feb 2003
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quote:There was a thread a while back in the "Questions? Comments? Talk to the VP of SLP Perf. Parts area where someone asked SLP_EXEC to consider making these items. The basic idea was that if the SFCs were produced, that he would buy them. A number of members jumped in and echoed similarly. I was also one of these members to ask and pledge my support. I also petitioned other companies, one of them being Edelbrock (I have their STB), to consider making this item. Edelbrock's reply was to pass it to R&D. But, the overall consensus of all these companies was that the market was too small to warrant production. So, here we have it, that a private individual takes it upon himself to fill this small market void. And he creates quite a stirring. He sells out his first run. He has sold or is close to selling out his second run. And he has peeked the interest of our gracious host and its members. I do hope that SLP does market a product. That may peak the interest of other companies. And that is good. Competition makes for a better product, creates awareness through advertising and word of mouth, and touches a broader market. This makes for a lot of happy customers. The down side is that the longer this product takes to reach the market , the smaller that that small market becomes. Whatever happens, Don has created an awareness for us convertible owners, and made our vote count. Thank you Don.
Benny
Posts: 19 | From: Queens, NY | Registered: Nov 2001
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Benny Surely you must be sick of me thanking you by now. Well here goes again. If I would have known the clearance picture of my coupe SFC's was going to end up on the SLP board I would have move that bucket. It really highlights how low the SLP Y-Pipe hangs down. As many posts as you've made you could have had those things installed by now.
Step away from the computer and head to the garage. Boy this past week was fun.
I have the stock pipe with stock suspension and I scraped it pulling out of a friend's (nose pointed down) driveway. Based on that original design, SLP could only do so much with that "Y" pipe. At least, they gave us a product. Fair is fair. I am sure there are other brands that have similar clearance problems.
I am almost there. I picked up the blue thread lock. I also got some gun blue to tint the washers black. I just need a decent day off. Weather and work are against me.
Benny
[ 03. March 2003, 08:59 AM: Message edited by: pharmpod ]
Posts: 19 | From: Queens, NY | Registered: Nov 2001
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Yeah that's the picture. Although the Prototypes shown in the picture are now a slightly lighter and have powdercoated finish with metallic. I need to reinstall them but I'm using "The Unit" to check the fit of my coupe SFC inventory.
Posts: 298 | From: Mason, OH | Registered: Feb 2003
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That's easier said than done when you don't post your e-mail address or allow it to be accessed on this message board. How can I reach you to get more info on your SFCs for convertibles?
Thanks,
-------------------- SSteve Wiltsie SSOA Member M02-3311 2002 35th Anniversary SS LE Conv. Stock except for: K&N filter; tinted windows; Mark's caliper decals 2003 100th Anniversary H-D V-Rod Life... This is NOT a drill Posts: 192 | From: Evansville, IN | Registered: Dec 2001
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That's easier said than done when you don't post your e-mail address or allow it to be accessed on this message board. How can I reach you to get more info on your SFCs for convertibles?
I just sent you an email to see if you still have that set of the bolt ons available. Will they fit my 94 TA vert? You can email me back at cruiserfj80@yahoo.com
-------------------- Check out my 94 25th Anniversary Trans Am Convertible http://www.ayresweb.com Posts: 5 | From: Central Arkansas | Registered: Jun 2002
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Shawn I made one set that is actually done and sold in white. These things look like they should be in a clean room
Posts: 298 | From: Mason, OH | Registered: Feb 2003
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Due to reasons unknown to me several who have reserved sets have decided not to take them. This has left me with 3 Bright Rally Red and 5 black sets. Contact me if you are interested.
Posts: 298 | From: Mason, OH | Registered: Feb 2003
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Well as you know Santa's biggest helper, UPS, can get a set of these under your tree in time for Christmas. Let Me know via email if you're interested,
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I got mine in 2 days and as you can see in my signature I'm up in Canada. My garage isn't heated and because winter is here now my SS won't see the outside for about another 4 months. There will be some days when the outside warms up enough to make the garage comfortible to work in. I have an old snowmobile suit that helps when I'm laying on the floor. I like the way Don signs the connectors, it's a good touch, too bad one has to be under the car to see it, but it adds a little touch of class to our cars. The next 4 to 5 months will seem to go slow now so I can get out to try the car with the connectors. Maybe I've been lucky, but mine has never had a rattle, squeek, or groan and does have 26,000 kms. on her, so the connectors will help keep her that way. Thanks again Don.
-------------------- 99SS, C221, Black Convertible, Neutral top and neutral leather, 6spd.,B/M shifter, all power, CD/radio, traction control, loud mouth, SLP strut tower brace, K&N Filter, dyno'd at 312.6 hp. and 321.8 torque at 122.97 mph and 12.7 fuel/air ratio with the above mods. I've just installed SLP y-pipe, lid, and bellows. Dec. 2003, installed Don Goetz SFC,s. February 2004 I added white gauges. Posts: 57 | From: Port Elgin, Ontario< Canada | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote:Originally posted by Dave99SSC221: I like the way Don signs the connectors, it's a good touch, too bad one has to be under the car to see it, but it adds a little touch of class to our cars.
He signed my STB, but not the SFC's.....hey, Don!!
--------------------
EMCC Member #338 SSOA Member #M02-9119 Michigan Mafia Member #666 Posts: 3236 | From: Dallas, Texas | Registered: Nov 2002
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Mine came from Don yesterday and will be putting them on tomorrow
-------------------- Willard (Mike) Scott Worldwide Camaro Club North Carolina state Rep. 2001 SS convertible with all SLP opts. Sunset Orange Neutral top Neutral leather http://community.webshots.com/user/wmss Posts: 737 | From: Siler City N.C. | Registered: Sep 2003
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Well I got mine put on this afternoon and although my car has been tight always I sure could tell the difference in the 2 mile drive home From Wesleys house where we put them on. They look great and the fit was perfect everything bolted right up and all the bolts went right in without having to slot anything. The weather is nice here so I am going into town in awhile to drive it some.
-------------------- Willard (Mike) Scott Worldwide Camaro Club North Carolina state Rep. 2001 SS convertible with all SLP opts. Sunset Orange Neutral top Neutral leather http://community.webshots.com/user/wmss Posts: 737 | From: Siler City N.C. | Registered: Sep 2003
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Don, I got my SS convertible out from storage for the winter and was able to try out the SFC's. When I backed out of the drive and onto the road I heard a click sound from the passenger side. I drove it for a bit and heard the same sound a few times over a few bumps. I returned home and tightened up the bolt that goes through the lower control arm and no more clicking. The car feels tighter around corners. I've always loved to shut off the traction control on dry pavement and just give her a little shot on the gas and let the back slide into position going around corners in town when it is safe to do so and now the car feels like it's more one solid piece. You did a great job making these. Thanks, Dave Bart
-------------------- 99SS, C221, Black Convertible, Neutral top and neutral leather, 6spd.,B/M shifter, all power, CD/radio, traction control, loud mouth, SLP strut tower brace, K&N Filter, dyno'd at 312.6 hp. and 321.8 torque at 122.97 mph and 12.7 fuel/air ratio with the above mods. I've just installed SLP y-pipe, lid, and bellows. Dec. 2003, installed Don Goetz SFC,s. February 2004 I added white gauges. Posts: 57 | From: Port Elgin, Ontario< Canada | Registered: Feb 2000
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My Wife purchased a set of Don Goets bolt on sub-frame coccectors for me as a 24th year anniversary gift. I just finished installing them ( took a little more than two hours). Don's instructions,product and customer service are second to none. The connectors arrived yesterday and one of the nuts and bolts were missing. I wanted them on before the picnic but I understand things happen. We called Don late yesterday afternoon and he said he would get the missing part right out. this morning the bolt and nut are on the front porch (Thats service). So I read thru the instructions and stsrt the install on the passeger side. I will be dammed the forward bolt hole dosent line up, on closer inspection iT'S not the connector that is miss-aligned it's the several layers of channel thet GM did not bother to line up. So after a little creative grinding on the frame channel everything went tougether fine. Don's instructions said that I may have to relocate or adjust the fuel lines. All I had to do was cut the factory zip tie and slide the factory plactic wire loom back into the frame about 1/2 inch. As a added benefit the fuel lines are now protected be the sub-frame connector rather than the thin plactic.
I took the car out for a short drive WOW you wouldn't believe the difference 90% in moans and groans now gone(That alone was worth the price) also the Bird seems to corner flatter
In short I am very impressed
Thanks Don
PS and thanks Sandy
-------------------- Bob and Sandy Wentzel 1997 WS6 Trans Am Conv. 1 of 463 SLP fan switch D.Goetz sub-frame connectors Just say NO to street racing Posts: 67 | From: Southern CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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It's raining today and tomorrow if it's nice tomorrow I'll do a little more testing. My car never had any rattles or noise of any kind but I know she is tighter and the SFC's will keep it that way. Several years ago I was in Florida on a course and I was in stop and go traffic in a rental and I could hear a car coming up through traffic and when I saw it, it was a Viper and that thing moved in and out like it was glued to the road. I'm sure the guy driving it also had some skill. My SS now feels like the way I saw that Viper move.
-------------------- 99SS, C221, Black Convertible, Neutral top and neutral leather, 6spd.,B/M shifter, all power, CD/radio, traction control, loud mouth, SLP strut tower brace, K&N Filter, dyno'd at 312.6 hp. and 321.8 torque at 122.97 mph and 12.7 fuel/air ratio with the above mods. I've just installed SLP y-pipe, lid, and bellows. Dec. 2003, installed Don Goetz SFC,s. February 2004 I added white gauges. Posts: 57 | From: Port Elgin, Ontario< Canada | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote:Originally posted by Dave99SSC221: Don, I got my SS convertible out from storage for the winter and was able to try out the SFC's. When I backed out of the drive and onto the road I heard a click sound from the passenger side. I drove it for a bit and heard the same sound a few times over a few bumps. I returned home and tightened up the bolt that goes through the lower control arm and no more clicking. The car feels tighter around corners. I've always loved to shut off the traction control on dry pavement and just give her a little shot on the gas and let the back slide into position going around corners in town when it is safe to do so and now the car feels like it's more one solid piece. You did a great job making these. Thanks, Dave Bart
Clicks and pops mean something is loose. You did the right thing by tightening the LCA bolts. It always seems to come from the passenger side.
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