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  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Think twice before installing subframe connectors

  • Thread starter Thread starter livenfine
  • Start date Start date Nov 7, 2003
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livenfine

New Member
Jun 9, 2003
601
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Nov 7, 2003
#1
  • Nov 7, 2003
  • #1
I think I may have made a mistake when I added MM full length subframes. I love 'em they tighten up the car but now I am cannot stay in the ESP class in the SCCA for autocross. Since the install I've found out that you can have a roll bar installed to the subframe that will tighten the car's chassis and stay legal in ESP
 

T_5.0_N'works

New Member
Sep 30, 2003
260
0
0
Texas
Nov 7, 2003
#2
  • Nov 7, 2003
  • #2
Should always read the rules before you do anything to your ride. Sorry bout that.
 
P

PonyBoy90

Founding Member
Aug 30, 2002
555
0
0
Toronto
Nov 7, 2003
#3
  • Nov 7, 2003
  • #3
I don't get it?????? Are you saying the subframes don't work? Then you say you can add a roll bar and join it to your subframes. Do subframes add stability to the floor or not????? Why won't SCCA accept them?
 

GTPhreak

Founding Member
Mar 16, 2000
5,505
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77
Rowlett, TEXAS
Nov 7, 2003
#4
  • Nov 7, 2003
  • #4
he is saying the subframe connectors he is using is against the rules in the class he races in, bumping him into a different class
 

Ozz

I think I have a problem here.
Founding Member
Jul 27, 2001
3,514
66
109
Canton, MI
Nov 7, 2003
#5
  • Nov 7, 2003
  • #5
That sucks. I personally wish I didn't spend the money on mine. After I put Bilsteins on, the ride was SO tight and perfect that the subs barely added anything. Sure I might reduce some flex, but I don't race, autoX, or anything. My car is just for street use. Live and learn
 

jadedinpa

Founding Member
Aug 2, 2002
1,094
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0
lancaster, pa
Nov 7, 2003
#6
  • Nov 7, 2003
  • #6
mansonozz, my vert was totally stock when i added subframes on. it made a night and day difference! when i used to go over railroad tracks i could feel the car twisting as each tire went over the tracks. no more since i added the subframes i'm suprised yours didn't make much difference....
 

91BlckGT

Founding Member
May 24, 1999
2,386
75
68
in a van, down by the river
Nov 7, 2003
#7
  • Nov 7, 2003
  • #7
It can't be said enough, well-crafted subframes are an absolutely essentially addition to any FOX based chasis. You need to eliminate chassis flex to let the suspension do it's job. I'm so happy I put mine on 5 years ago, and with jacking rails, and some other bracing, it's made a world of difference.
 
Y

yosh

Founding Member
Aug 24, 2002
625
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south florida
Nov 7, 2003
#8
  • Nov 7, 2003
  • #8
I just had an eight point and subframe connectors connected to each other installed. Car feels real solid.
 

tvmango

New Member
Oct 27, 2003
667
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0
bradenton florida
Nov 7, 2003
#9
  • Nov 7, 2003
  • #9
PonyBoy90 said:
I don't get it?????? Are you saying the subframes don't work? Then you say you can add a roll bar and join it to your subframes. Do subframes add stability to the floor or not????? Why won't SCCA accept them?
Click to expand...
by far the best money I ever put into my car!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

livenfine

New Member
Jun 9, 2003
601
0
0
Nov 7, 2003
#10
  • Nov 7, 2003
  • #10
PonyBoy90 said:
I don't get it?????? Are you saying the subframes don't work? Then you say you can add a roll bar and join it to your subframes. Do subframes add stability to the floor or not????? Why won't SCCA accept them?
Click to expand...

Sorry for the confusion, subframes help stiffen the chassis-no question about that. For autocross, I was hoping to stay in the ESP class, (street-prepared), but recently found out that the ESP class doesn't allow SFCs for '87-93 Mustangs. A speed shop in Seattle can custom make a 6 pt rollbar that ties to the subframes, (front and back), which stiffen like an SFC but are considered legal because of safety reasons.

If you not going to race, no sweat. If you are you should research these sort of things first. No SFCs, no gears lower than 3.27, no internal engine changes, etc for the ESP class.
 

Ozz

I think I have a problem here.
Founding Member
Jul 27, 2001
3,514
66
109
Canton, MI
Nov 7, 2003
#11
  • Nov 7, 2003
  • #11
jadedinpa said:
mansonozz, my vert was totally stock when i added subframes on. it made a night and day difference! when i used to go over railroad tracks i could feel the car twisting as each tire went over the tracks. no more since i added the subframes i'm suprised yours didn't make much difference....
Click to expand...

Like I said, I added my Bilsteins first. THEY made a HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE difference!! Un-freakin-believable ride from those
 
M

Morlock

New Member
Jul 22, 2003
6
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0
Nov 8, 2003
#12
  • Nov 8, 2003
  • #12
I'm hearing you bro. The rules are just completely crazy. I just got my 93 with intentions to AutoX. Before I read the class info, I got the MM full lengths on too with some 3.55 gears. Woops... Oh well. For me it is just for fun anyway. What did you pay to have yours installed BTW?
 
Y

yosh

Founding Member
Aug 24, 2002
625
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0
south florida
Nov 8, 2003
#13
  • Nov 8, 2003
  • #13
I paid 150 installed.
 

livenfine

New Member
Jun 9, 2003
601
0
0
Nov 12, 2003
#14
  • Nov 12, 2003
  • #14
Morlock said:
I'm hearing you bro. The rules are just completely crazy. I just got my 93 with intentions to AutoX. Before I read the class info, I got the MM full lengths on too with some 3.55 gears. Woops... Oh well. For me it is just for fun anyway. What did you pay to have yours installed BTW?
Click to expand...

It's just for fun, but it makes it funner if you are competitive. I bought MM full lengths and paid 3 hours labor to have them installed. 3X$60=$180 ouch
 
T

TheUser

Active Member
Jul 25, 2003
1,859
1
36
Springfield, MO
Nov 12, 2003
#15
  • Nov 12, 2003
  • #15
mansonozz said:
Like I said, I added my Bilsteins first. THEY made a HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE difference!! Un-freakin-believable ride from those
Click to expand...
sorry, i'm lost....what exactly are Bilsteins?
 
O

Ocalafox

Member
Mar 8, 2003
266
0
16
sunny central FL
Nov 12, 2003
#16
  • Nov 12, 2003
  • #16
TheUser said:
sorry, i'm lost....what exactly are Bilsteins?
Click to expand...

Bilsteins are as good as or better than Koni, shocks/struts
 
T

The Prisoner

New Member
Oct 27, 2003
7
0
0
Towson, MD
Nov 12, 2003
#17
  • Nov 12, 2003
  • #17
subframes?

livenfine said:
I think I may have made a mistake when I added MM full length subframes. I love 'em they tighten up the car but now I am cannot stay in the ESP class in the SCCA for autocross. Since the install I've found out that you can have a roll bar installed to the subframe that will tighten the car's chassis and stay legal in ESP
Click to expand...

I have a 99 Cobra and was moved from ESP because of the Matrix braces and Jacking rails on my KB suspension not the subframes. The subframes were simply replacements for the original Ford ones.The DC chapter was very clear that the subframes were legal but the Matrix and Jacking moved me to a modified class. I'd check into this if I were you.
 
T

The Prisoner

New Member
Oct 27, 2003
7
0
0
Towson, MD
Nov 12, 2003
#18
  • Nov 12, 2003
  • #18
woah on the rumors about mods for AutoX

livenfine said:
Sorry for the confusion, subframes help stiffen the chassis-no question about that. For autocross, I was hoping to stay in the ESP class, (street-prepared), but recently found out that the ESP class doesn't allow SFCs for '87-93 Mustangs. A speed shop in Seattle can custom make a 6 pt rollbar that ties to the subframes, (front and back), which stiffen like an SFC but are considered legal because of safety reasons.

If you not going to race, no sweat. If you are you should research these sort of things first. No SFCs, no gears lower than 3.27, no internal engine changes, etc for the ESP class.
Click to expand...


There is nothing in the "SCCA National Solo" Rules regarding rear axle ratios for Street Prepared. See pages 89-104 of the 2003 rule book.
 

livenfine

New Member
Jun 9, 2003
601
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0
Nov 14, 2003
#19
  • Nov 14, 2003
  • #19
The Prisoner said:
There is nothing in the "SCCA National Solo" Rules regarding rear axle ratios for Street Prepared. See pages 89-104 of the 2003 rule book.
Click to expand...

I'll get the rulebook out about rear axle ratios. As far as subframe connectors, the fox bodied stang did not come with SFCs nor are they authorized by Ford. If anyone knows this to be incorrect, I would love to hear about it
 
R

redragtop

New Member
Dec 10, 2003
1
0
1
Dec 10, 2003
#20
  • Dec 10, 2003
  • #20
Hi,
I was deciding which suspension items to start with. Is your info on ESP allowing subframes with a roll bar from the SCCA? I have a 2002 rule book that did not allow subframes. Could you give me the details?
Thanks

QUOTE=livenfine]I think I may have made a mistake when I added MM full length subframes. I love 'em they tighten up the car but now I am cannot stay in the ESP class in the SCCA for autocross. Since the install I've found out that you can have a roll bar installed to the subframe that will tighten the car's chassis and stay legal in ESP [/QUOTE]
 
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