more questions about subframe connectors - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

racerx520 · 04-07-2009, 11:59 PM

ok, ive decided that im going to get myself some subframe connectors, i've been doing some looking around and ive come across two possible ones. I DO NOT RACE MY CAR, i am just looking to stiffen it up a bit and make it handle slightly better as the SFC is supposed to do. here are the two...please let me know what you think

1.) Jegster Sub Frame Connectors
http://www.jegs.com/i/Jegster/550/40053/10002/-1

2.) UMI Boxed Sub Frame Connectors
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

i will most likely weld either one in so the bolt in is not that big of a concern to me, cuz i can bolt it then weld it when i get it exactly how i want it. thanks for your input!

BlueIroc-Z · 04-08-2009, 03:20 AM

I personally like the way the UMI's reinforce the LCA mounting point. And, they seem to have more contact points than the other as well.

The UMI's were the ones I was considering for my own car, but the total cost of SFC's + having a shop weld 'em is just way out of range for me right now...

Flip 2 · 04-08-2009, 11:18 AM

I had custom ones done. The shop talked me into them. Maybe they are a bit heavier, maybe not. The shop does a lot of fabrication, so no big deal.
I think the UMI would be good. Other stuff from them looks nice.

SAVE YOUR PENNIES, BOYS! The difference in your cars response and overall handling is huge. You will wonder what took you so long. ENJOY.

racerx520 · 04-08-2009, 11:32 PM

so you guys are saying the UMI's?

BlueIroc-Z · 04-09-2009, 02:24 AM

My choice between the two options you presented would be the UMI's, yes.

WASyL · 04-09-2009, 03:42 AM

i have UMI's and they are fantastic, easy way to mount and het stiffen the car alot

UMI Sales · 04-09-2009, 10:52 AM

Thanks for the recommendation Guys! If you have any questions about are sub-frame connectors feel free to ask and I will be more than glad to help!
Thanks
Brad

91interceptorZ · 04-09-2009, 10:57 AM

I agree.....the UMI products hands down is tons better than anything else I've ever seen on market....I research a bunch of different parts and UMI's stuff is far superior than anyone else's.....and customer service was great, shipping was fast...I wouldn't put anything else on my car but UMI products....I have a lot of their stuff already on my car and am still adding....but yes the sub-frames by far are better....just look at them you can tell...... www.umiperformance.com plus they have great installed pics on there that really help.....

kkingsrulee · 04-22-2009, 04:53 AM

What do you mean save your pennies? They're only 200 bucks, is it hundreds of dollars to get them welded in?

I'm looking into this right now, but i've heard something about having to take your carpet out or something, is this necessary? I don't really want to have to make a big deal out of getting SFC's.

Fyrstorm · 04-22-2009, 08:23 AM

Don't have to take your carpet ALL The way out, the guy that installed mine went as far as taking the driver seat out and propped up the carpet just in case. Think mine were about $150 to weld in, i had other work done at the same time. I honestly don't mind paying this guy a little bit extra cause he does a great job. Even painted the welds afterwards.

Remember to be in alignment once you get to the point of putting them on.

kkingsrulee · 04-22-2009, 12:09 PM

How much is it to get my car aligned? I would do just about anything with my motor that i had to do, but i just don't know enough about suspension or anything to try to fix or do much with it.

91interceptorZ · 04-22-2009, 12:13 PM

alignement is $45 around here....I didn't take the carpet out on my car...no problems...I welded mine myself though.

Stephen · 04-22-2009, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fyrstorm

Remember to be in alignment once you get to the point of putting them on.

WHY do you say you need an alignment afterwards?

SFCs have nothing to do with changing your alignment, so it won't be affected any.

Fyrstorm · 04-22-2009, 02:32 PM

Get an alignment before is what I meant. I've read in magazines for years that you should be straight before you weld them on. It did cross my mind that they are separate entities while reading it, but "they" said if you are not aligned you may not launch straight and have a hard time getting the car to go straight after the fact if the SFC's are welded in place on a crooked footing.

I trust my mechanic, even he brought it up so there must be some inkling of truth to it.

Stephen · 04-22-2009, 07:37 PM

They meant CHASSIS alignment, like making sure the "frame" is straight. Not a steering alignment.

Certainly don't wanna "lock" the chassis in a "twist/distortion". Make sure the car is straight THEN put on SFCs.

kkingsrulee · 04-22-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen

They meant CHASSIS alignment, like making sure the "frame" is straight. Not a steering alignment.

Certainly don't wanna "lock" the chassis in a "twist/distortion". Make sure the car is straight THEN put on SFCs.

I've never heard of a chassis alignment, how does that work? if there're any flaws in the chassis they straighten it out?

That makes alot of sense though stephen, one obviously wouldn't want to stiffen a crooked "frame" (dunno what else to call a unibody).

Stephen · 04-22-2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkingsrulee

I've never heard of a chassis alignment, how does that work? if there're any flaws in the chassis they straighten it out?

That makes alot of sense though stephen, one obviously wouldn't want to stiffen a crooked "frame" (dunno what else to call a unibody).

Chassis alignment/frame straightening....Same thing, different terms.

Since there is no FRAME on a 3rd gen, some people freak out if its called "frame straightening", since there is no "frame" to straighten, so "chassis alignment" was invented. :LOL:

Ya.....Weld in SFCs & lock the unibody crooked, then wonder WHY the front end alignment can't be gotten right....

It happens.

Fyrstorm · 04-23-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen

WHY do you say you need an alignment afterwards?

They meant CHASSIS alignment, like making sure the "frame" is straight. Not a steering alignment.

Certainly don't wanna "lock" the chassis in a "twist/distortion". Make sure the car is straight THEN put on SFCs.

I understand that. I'm sticking with the mags and mechanics that recommend it being done. The bodies on our cars flex quite easily, if you've got the tires on crooked does it not stand to reason that it may transfer that flex into the body? The numbers that come back from from getting an alignment done are pretty fine tuned, I'd like to be as straight as I could possibly be - be it the frame or wheel alignment. Maybe I'm reading how you wrote it wrong, but I'm not sure about where the hostility is coming from. If it's not, then I apologize for my mis-reading it as such.

Stephen · 04-23-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fyrstorm

I understand that. I'm sticking with the mags and mechanics that recommend it being done. The bodies on our cars flex quite easily, if you've got the tires on crooked does it not stand to reason that it may transfer that flex into the body? The numbers that come back from from getting an alignment done are pretty fine tuned, I'd like to be as straight as I could possibly be - be it the frame or wheel alignment. Maybe I'm reading how you wrote it wrong, but I'm not sure about where the hostility is coming from. If it's not, then I apologize for my mis-reading it as such.

Hostility? Where? How?

Are you read capitalized emphasis of words as hostile? When only one word is capitalized, its just showing that word as empathized.

I was supporting a chassis alignment/frame straightening. Did you think I wasn't??? Why do you think my SFCs are sitting on the floor & have been for awhile, not on my car.....Because I haven't checked the chassis alignment yet.

Fyrstorm · 04-23-2009, 11:39 AM

At times I do read things that way, as typing in all caps in other message forums/gaming communities that is considered yelling at someone. I do try to get that side of my reading tendancy to shut off but sometimes it doesn't hehe.

Never said you were against frame straightening.

Stephen · 04-23-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fyrstorm

At times I do read things that way, as typing in all caps in other message forums/gaming communities that is considered yelling at someone. I do try to get that side of my reading tendancy to shut off but sometimes it doesn't hehe.

Never said you were against frame straightening.

Yes.....IF IT WAS IN ALL CAPS, IT WOULD BE YELLING......(like that). Key word being ALL.

But just ONE world is just trying to EMPHASIZE that ONE word. Make sense?

Everytime I see a Newbie on here, that types in all caps.....

"MY CAR IS....HOW DO I....WHAT DO I......" I politely point out that all caps is considered yelling.

I think there was just a misunderstanding. No worries.....