Hey everyone. I had some questions about the stock K-Member vs. the Hawk's tubular member. I know there are some weight savings and more room for headers with the hawks version. Are there any other advantages with the hawks version?

I'm still undecided about which k member I will use for my LS1/t56 swap next year.

I would like to retain AC for my swap and I know if you use the 4th gen AC that you need to notch the factory K member. Do you still have to notch the stock K member if you use the 3rd gen AC and accessories with the relocation kit? I'd imagine with the Hawks K member, the AC wouldn't get in the way of anything because of the increased room?

Last question. If I do use use the stock k-member, which aftermarket motor mounts seem to work best with the swap (fitment and so on) as I have heard some people complain about fitment issues.

Thanks guys, your opinions would be greatly appreciated and sorry the long post.

 

Hawk's is not DOT approved. Not sure about street use, but drag/race probably good.

 

Check out the LSX Sticky at the top of this forum.

More room and using the LS1 A/C compressor w/o notching is the advantage of going with a tubular k-member. I wouldn't do it for the weight savings, even though there might be some.

I'd go with the Spohn mounts.

 

I think the Hawks/Spohn K-member is a myth .

 

Not at all , I have one .Do a search on a thread titled "pics of the Hawk's LS1 K-member ". Plenty o' pics!

 

I've got one too. Personally, I'm not so sure it was worth it.

 

The Hawk's/Spohn one is a myth. The old Hawk's one a local guy was building does exist. As Steven an I found out, it takes a little modifying to work right.

Kevin D.

 

Not really a cost effective mod IMO. Too pricey for so little gains. Spend the dough on other aspects of your build and notch the stock c member. If you cant notch the c member yourself then I would reconsider tackling this swap unless you have DEEP pockets

 

Eventually I will have tubular everything, its just one step in that direction.

Another nice thing about the tubular unit is you can easily go to a rack and pinion set up.

 

I was talking about the new one by spohn. the reason I said that is because Im one of the people that has paid for it and is still waiting..........for now

 

What's up with the old one? The one I have is still in the box and I haven't used it yet. I have seen something about the steering hitting lower accessories on the engine but I bought a kit from S&P and relocated everything to the top of the motor. A little more info on this?

 

Mine (old version) had a problem with the steering. The drag link would hit the k-member when turning the wheel to the right. I had to flip over the drag link to get enough clearence on the tie-rods

 

Plus it most likely will not work with stock A-arms without a BFH.

Kevin D.

 

I'm using the Spohn tubular A-arms.

 

I've got Hawks tubular k-member and the Spohn tubular A-arms, installed by Hawkins himself.

Great LOOKING mod, in my opinon.