How To Install Subframe Connectors

Time: 2 hours

Tools: standard socket set up, standard wrenches, ability drill and drill bits (if applicable)

Cost: $175-$300

Tinware: sub-frame connector kit and hardware

Tip: Buy quality products. There are lots of companies making sub-frame connectors, but not all of them implement heavy-duty materials and quality structure. Visit RicksCamaros.com, EcklersFirebird.com or EcklersNova.com and search for "Sub-frame connectors".

Performance gains: Sub-frame connectors are a must for whatever high-performance pocket-size machine without a full frame. They offer forcefulness and improved handling under heavy loads.

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The front of the connector arm "boxes" the frame runway and is secured by two bolts.

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For added strength, we drilled the connector arm and the rear flange of the spring perch. The 2 were and then bolted together.

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Once the connector is in position, tighten the spring perch bolt and nut.

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This bending gives you lot an overall look from at the clean, finished production.

This commodity refers specifically to installation of sub-frame connectors on the F-body and 10-trunk vehicles. Nearly ordinarily installed on Camaros, Firebirds and Novas, aftermarket sub-frame connectors offering boosted strength and rigidity to a less-than-stout mill platform. These meaty cars of yesteryear were engineered and crafted with a front partial frame only. They lacked the brawn and sheer ruggedness of the larger, full-frame vehicles such the Chevelle and Impala.

Having merely a shortened frame at the forepart of the vehicle dramatically affects the chassis'south ability to handle any kind of serious horsepower. Other than the car's sheetmetal torso, there is no connection between the front and rear suspensions. Under heavy loads (such as a drag launch), the body can misconstrue and twist from the high free energy created by the powerplant. Needless to say, this is not a expert matter! In addition to warping and perchance even peachy major stress points on the body, this intense "torque flexing" can as well hinder your beloved elapsed times. When free energy intended for the rear wheels is lost and captivated into the torso and interruption, the results can be very disappointing.

The installation of sub-frame connectors volition dampen and eliminate these kinds of problems. Constructed of boxed, steel tubing (similar to a frame rails), the reinforcement connectors literally tie the two ends of the chassis together. When installed, they run parallel to each other downwards the length of the flooring pans. The shorter sub-frame car now takes on the burly persona of a full-frame vehicle. Sure, there will always exist a certain amount of chassis flex nether acceleration, still, the harmful effects are greatly minimized when all of the pieces are firmly secured together.

Depending on the year of the vehicle, the installation procedure may vary slightly from one car to another. By far, the most popular subjects are the '68-'72 Novas and the get-go and 2d generation Camaros and Firebirds. They all share the aforementioned sub-frame and interruption design. The connectors simply attach between the rear of the front end frame horns and the forrard spring perch on the rear intermission. The body bushings at the frame rails must exist removed to let the connectors to slide into place. In fact, the connectors attach to the frame using the same body bushing bolts and hardware. The rear mounting point is at the forward leaf-spring perch, once again utilizing the existing hardware. The design here is extremely simple, nonetheless effective. The aftermarket manufacturers take fabricated the procedure adequately easy.

On the early on Chevy II Novas ('62-'67), the design is like, but not exact. These cars are well-known in the performance world for their poor handling and weak break designs. Notwithstanding, it's a very popular trunk manner and definitely one worth fixing. The aftermarket offers plenty of quality upgrades for the less-than-impressive factory setup. There are even complete forepart-end replacement kits available for these micro-Novas.

Although it may not be necessary in all applications, our sub-frame connectors required a fair amount of drilling. At the front of the motorcar, nosotros had to drill mounting through-holes in both the connectors and the frame rails. The bolts slid through the holes and secured the connectors to the flange of the frame. At the rear spring perches, we likewise needed to create one hole on each side for the aforementioned purpose.

With the auto safely supported by jackstands, we started at the front frame rails. The connectors attached to the frame through the newly-drilled holes and the bolts were securely tightened. At the rear of the car, we removed the through-commodities at each spring perch and installed the connector arm. We re-tightened the bolts and slowly lowered the vehicle. Exist sure to cheque for any binding or twisting in the connectors at the front and rear mounting points.

With this accomplished, y'all'll not just experience safer and more than confident when launching your auto off the staging lights, you'll also enjoy a more solid feel if you utilize your car as a daily driver. A couple of hours and a few hundred dollars tin can make all the divergence in the earth.

Some of the more pop sub-frame connectors bachelor at Rick's Camaros…

721553
721553: Weld-in subframe connectors from Detroit Speed