Superformance Design Problem

Mulv · #1 (**permalink**) 05-12-2003, 02:13 PM

Hi all

There is an apparent design fault in the Superformance cars that has been experienced by myself and Jerry and is probably in most of the cars if not all. The square tube mounting point for the forward differential bolts has cracked and failed on both cars. I discovered this by an increased squeaking noise when lifting off the throttle during braking situations. The torque transitions from positive to negative have weakened the metal to failure. I would suggest that everyone jack up their cars and have a look at the mounting points right away. If this fails in a catastropic way it could cause an abrupt steering motion at the rear and a subsequent loss of control of the vehicle. Not a good thing to be sure. The tube is hollow thin steel and needs to be reinforced to avoid this problem.

Regards
Mulv

BlueRooster · #2 (**permalink**) 05-12-2003, 04:50 PM

where exactly should I be looking? Do you have a picture?

Dane

G.R. · #3 (**permalink**) 05-12-2003, 05:27 PM

Yeah any pictures?--my car has developed a "noise" in the rearend--I have it in the shop for a "go thru" prior to my trip to the Fling and back--I was thinking it might be a problem with the differential --- Maybe something else I should have checked out?

RallySnake · #4 (**permalink**) 05-12-2003, 05:32 PM

Mulv,

What does Superformance say about this?

Paul

Mulv · #5 (**permalink**) 05-12-2003, 06:46 PM

I do not have a picture, but I am going to have this fixed on Wednesday and I will take a shot and post it at that time. In the meantime, there are only three mounting points for the diff and we are talking about the front bolts.
I have posted a diagram on my pictures area for now....

Steve

Mulv · #6 (**permalink**) 05-12-2003, 06:49 PM

The diagram is what you will see from the bottom and is not to scale, I am not that good at paint.. Click the camera next to my name and you will go there...

Hope you don't need this

Steve

SFfiredog · #7 (**permalink**) 05-12-2003, 08:35 PM

Hi Mulv,
The cracking problems you are having is a concern that is known about by Superformance. I believe they have a repair procedure and the work is covered by warranty but I would suggest contacting Dynamic Motorsports about it. The concern is only on earlier cars. Unforntunately, I don't recall the serial numbers involved but I believe it was series 300 or 400 and lower. The later cars have re-inforced mounting points. Contact Dynamic for complete details.
HTH,
Mike

Bluedog · #8 (**permalink**) 05-12-2003, 10:04 PM

Hey SFfiredog,
You have a private message/Email.

Bluedog

SFfiredog · #9 (**permalink**) 05-12-2003, 10:22 PM

Bluedog,

You have mail!

--Mike

Hal Copple · #10 (**permalink**) 05-13-2003, 05:50 AM

on some of the ealier cars, mine being a 600 series car, i found a creaking from the rear on low speed throttle on and off. I was drag racing a lot, which of course stresses everything, on a sticky track. My SPF builder put my car up on the rack, and found the side brackets had partly torn, causing the creaking, so they pulled everything out, thorougly cleaned it up, and welded in some steel gussetinng, painted it black, and had my car back on the ground in an hour, at no charge to me. It was about at my car's number, that the factory added the side steel gussetting, as drag strip or hard frequent acceleration had been found to crack this side bracket. If you want to see if you have the factory fix, look at the side diff brackets, if the bolt bracket is box welded at both top and the sides, to the frame, you have the fix. If not, you can call and discuss it with your nearest dealer.

In my experience, now nearing 60,000 miles of often hard use, Superformance works diligently to make whatever changes are necessary as time goes on. It would be appropriate to recall how even the major car manufactures discover things as time passes that need modification, even with many millions of test miles prior to production.

One of the advantages of a new SPF is that it will incorporate all the detail changes that the factory has made over the years.

This coming weekend, i will be pulling over 150 mph down the front straight at VIR, in full confidence that my car (if not the driver) is full capable of such demanding performance.

all the best,

sambrozy · #11 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 02:02 PM

I just spoke to Mark at Dynamic. He gave me the following information.. He did say that with number 1200 that the brace was changed. He also stated that he is aware of only 6 cars with this problem. Those cars he felt were abused or had way too much hp. He recommended checking the brace when the car is serviced.

Stan

Mr.Fixit · #12 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 02:35 PM

I have replaced that forward, pass side, mounting "ear"on a few early SPF's. Newer ones are reinforced much better. Your first clue is often the diff can nose dive a bit and then the CV joint rubs on the frame rail, making a clunking sound. Only problems were on high torque cars that were run very hard. I would inspect that area as a routine when servicind SPF's however.

agro1 · #13 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sambrozy

I just spoke to Mark at Dynamic. He gave me the following information.. He did say that with number 1200 that the brace was changed. He also stated that he is aware of only 6 cars with this problem. Those cars he felt were abused or had way too much hp. He recommended checking the brace when the car is serviced.

Stan

Stan - I think that Mark is incorrect becuase I have car # 940 and mine has the upgrade and reinforced mounting for the dif. I believe it started with 920 or possibly as early as 900.

frankym · #14 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 03:17 PM

agro, when you say #920 are you speaking of your car, and if so, are you the original owner, if not the prior owner may have made the upgrade. I have not yet checked to see if I have the reinformcent.

agro1 · #15 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 03:24 PM

I own 940 and bought it new from Hillbank. It is my understanding that at 900 they made some changes. Cars after 900 are considered "900 series". Then "1000 series" after 999.

I've done every "upgrade" to my car that is possible so it's just like (if not better) the current models.

This link should help.

http://performanceunlimited.com/supe.../features.html

Mulv · #16 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 04:36 PM

People ,People

I also spoke to Dynamic and all I can say about the 6 car thing is BULLS*%T. Why change the mount for 6 cars? Come on, are you that gullible? This thing is made of 1/8" thick square tubing and is really fragile. Everyone who does not have a high torque car raise your hand. Oh, no hands, what a shock... The car only weighs 2500 pounds and has relatively small ,low grip tires. I had blower equipped cars on much stickier tires and I used to break universal joints all the time, but never parts off of the frame. The new mount is solid bar stock, not hollow. Take a guess why... Anyway the cars after number 400 or so have the solid mount. Those below had better check for this problem. Mine is repaired now at a cost of $300- , just one more brick....

Cheers Mulv

agro1 · #17 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 05:18 PM

I love how people think when you put 500+ hp through a driveline, it'll all hold together fine.

Remember guys, SPF's are made in South Africa, 'nuff said.

Tony Ripepi · #18 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 06:17 PM

Steve,

Were they open to supplying ( Give , No $$$$) the new solid stock componenets and appropriate brackets for retrofit?

Seems like if they are going to stand behind the product they sell, they should stand behind the product they Sell.

Tony R.

agro1 · #19 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 06:28 PM

Oh yeah - I broke all 3 ears off one of my spinners and had to DRILL IT OFF. SPF knows the cast spinners that come with the car are inherently weak and reccomend upgrading to the forged ones - $75.00 a piece...

Mulv · #20 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 10:08 PM

Hey Tony!

No , they said it is impossible to rerofit the new parts as there is not enough space to weld them in. The fix I have is great, it will be pretty well impossible to break this again. It requires about 3 hours of fab work however, so it costs money. Less than a lot of other things though...

Oh and AGRO, you are obviuosly unfamiliar with the manufacturing capabilities of SA. They are capable of very high quality products that last a long time. Heard of DeBeer's? Don't forget theywere cut off by the rest of the world and managed to keep a modern society going for years..... I guess you have the unfortunate misconception that the only people capable of making high quality products are from the northern hemisphere. One last shot - 500 horsepower is not really all that much in a light car, my previous commuter car had this much and weighed 3500 pounds. I never snapped the frame on that one either. I don't think of the frame as part of the drivelne, old chap.....

I guess the point is that on this forum taking the trouble to point out a really dangerous fault or expensive problem is a waste of time as every half baked imbecile offers an opinion as to why this is somehow to do with their pathetic view of the world. Why don't you people just take it at face value, go look at your car and return to your TV shows happy that you do not have this bug instead of posting endless commentary on why this has to do with either moral or political opinion? If you have something technical to add, like Tony asking if we can fit the new stuff - great - that's what I want to use this for. Opinions about anything else are really not that helpful. I posted this to see if :

A) anyone else had this and obviously lots do

B) anyone had a better fix than we do

Geez, it hardly seems worth it, I will let others post these issues

Cheers
Mulv