Full length sub frames on a convertible question

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teamtruett

New Member

Jul 30, 2002

18

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1

Hopewell NY

Jul 16, 2005

#1

• Jul 16, 2005

• #1

Cant seem to fine an answer anywhere. A fox convertible has factory reinforcing plates that are riveted over the rear torque boxes and the front of the car has a pair as well and tie into a riveted brace that runs along the rocker panel. A set of full length sub frames with torque box plates (steeda) would run on top of these. My concern is with the rear factory plates, what do I have to cut/modify to use the steeda supplied torque box plates. Right now all 4 factory plates are off the car to be repainted. Any pics would help out GREATLY. kinda confused....

 

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Ted87GT

Founding Member

Sep 21, 2001

58

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6

Southern Maine

Jul 16, 2005

#2

• Jul 16, 2005

• #2

a lot of people take the reinforcing plates off once they get subframe connectors. I just cut about an inch or so off of them and welded the plates to the side of my subframe connectors on the front, and took the back ones off. i have the connectors from maximum motorsports though, not steeda. the same principle probably applies though.

 

spyne

New Member

Dec 13, 2004

78

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Fairfax, VA

Jul 17, 2005

#3

• Jul 17, 2005

• #3

The factory reinforcements are better than nothing, but only slightly. Unless you are building a show car to be an example of a bone stock fox body (very rare these days to be sure) your best bet is to lose the stock reinforcements and put on a set of welded in subframe connectors. The difference is amazing.

 

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teamtruett

New Member

Jul 30, 2002

18

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1

Hopewell NY

Jul 18, 2005

#4

• Jul 18, 2005

• #4

OK so Im not compromising anything by leaving them off? Do I need the bars that bolt under the engine/k-member and the front factory plates?

 

tmoss

Gettin Wired

Founding Member

Jun 28, 2001

7,153

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128

Saint Louis, MO

Jul 18, 2005

#5

• Jul 18, 2005

• #5

teamtruett said:

Do I need the bars that bolt under the engine/k-member and the front factory plates?

Click to expand...

No, I pulled the rear set off mine and left them off - as well as drilling out the rivets and removing the plates. They are pretty flimsy anyway - mine where bent (several times it looks like) and straightened where they mash them flat - bad design. The welded subframes are all you need.

 

PuterAmI

Member

Mar 29, 2003

513

0

16

Madison, Alabama

Jul 18, 2005

#6

• Jul 18, 2005

• #6

teamtruett said:

Do I need the bars that bolt under the engine/k-member and the front factory plates?

Click to expand...

Replace that with a Maximum Motorsports 4-point G-load brace. Made a world of difference for me.

 

tmoss

Gettin Wired

Founding Member

Jun 28, 2001

7,153

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128

Saint Louis, MO

Jul 18, 2005

#7

• Jul 18, 2005

• #7

I actuyally put the Kenny Brown chasis lit in mine which is the subframes, strut tower brace and g-load (or k-member brace) and it made the car fell solid as a coupe. No more cowl shake.

 

Jeff Cardwell

New Member

Aug 11, 2003

102

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Harrison,TN

Jul 18, 2005

#8

• Jul 18, 2005

• #8

Mine were trimmed to allow the reinforcements to stay and allow the subframes(Kenny Brown) to be welded.

Jeff