Want everything to be tight....

[68converted]

I'm about to add subframe connectors. (home made) I just did the front and rear suspension, new joints, new rearend, and new driveshaft. I was wondering how I should go about making my rattle box a bit tighter. Where would I add heavier welds, bracing, etc. I am not wanting a new car but there has to be a standard practice out there to make our cars feel stiffer all around. I also have a convt. and that does not help the equation much either.

Can anyone help me out. I am in the process of stripping everything to bare metal, to then coat all surfaces with Por15, so now would be a great time.

I was going to add a brace from the subframe connector to the rocker rail, and use heavier braces in the torque boxes fore and aft. What else can I do.

 

[DarkBuddha]

Adding subframe connectors will make a huge difference all on its own. It's been the best modification for "feel" on my Mach, making it squeak less and seem much more solid. In fact, now when I jack up a corner of the car, the whole side raises. How's that for solid?

So before planning any other big welding, add the subframes and see what you think. The braces between the connectors and the rockers is a good idea also. And if you haven't already purchased subframe connectors, consider getting the kind that weld into the floorpans also. These are different than the TCP or Global West tubulars, so check places like Alston Chasisworks or Competition Engineering. Oh, and don't forget to add things like a one piece export brace and a montecarlo bar. These will help.

One last idea: consider using one of the modern soundproofing coatings on the chasis. Mustang & Fords magazine (which I hate) has an article this month about using one of these new coatings, which is supposed to soundproof and rustproof. Also, I hear really good things about Dynamat, expecially applied to the inside of door shells and quarter panels. These don't help solidify the chasis, but they will help with making the car feel and seem more solid by eliminating that tinny rattley character our cars have. I've heard that when you apply the Dynamat to the inside of your door shells, the doors then make that really satisfying "thump" sound that new cars make.

Hope this helps.

 

[68converted]

Thanks Budda,

I have been away on a hunting trip (no meat in the freezer!... Yet) Anyway, I found a site that gave dimensions and what not to build your own. I can buy any type of steel at wholesale, so in an effort to quelch the spending spree on my baby, I have to go that route. I found a place that has a "Dynomat" type of application that I am going to use.

I know that with the convert. it will never be a great sound issue anyway, but anything can help.

Advice is much appreciated. Thanks again.

Has anyone heard of doing the frame rail to rocker brace that I am thinking about doing? It just seems like the rocker is just hanging out there pretty much supported by the floor pans and the torque boxes... any thoughts?