Ok, I have the money set aside for some subframes now I need to compair the ones availiable. I am looking at three options as follows:
Spohn's SFC's
Competition Engineering Weld-in
Hotchkis SFC's (Weld-in)

I have new carpet to go in my car so the carpet will be out while I am putting them in so welding the length of the floor pan is no problem.

My first chooses is Spohn's but my hesitation is looking at the pictures it just does not seem like they weld in to any of the substatial front frame rail. It looks like it just goes straight up to the bottom of the fender. Then the little bar is welded from that to the box rail thing under the car. Just seems like it woulld be more effective to have the main bar going to the rail and an add in going to the area behind the front fender. The rear weld point is in a great spot however. What do you all think, am I wrong about which area is strongest on the car.

Those with spons new design ring in and let me hear how well they perform. Those who have any of the others let me know what you think. Those who have experience with more than one type tell me the pros and cons for each. Also any pictures of the other two installed would be appreciated especially at the weld points.



This will be the first major suspension/chasis upgrade I have done to this car up till now the body has been real tight. The car is otherwise orginal (except wheels). I will also probably be geting a LT1 for the car, found someone who claims they can get me one with electronics for $800 with 30k on the engine.

 

Why don't you take a look at the Alston SFC's instead?

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=157418

 

Why dont you consider the Competition Eng. bolt-ins and weld them in. I think they are much beafier than the weld-ins. I changed the bit from the sills to the center frame with flat metal and they could also be bolted or welded to the pan. I am very pleased with the results. You may need to change the exhaust a little.

 

I bought some comp eng weild in ones and they have to have the floor pan cut up to make them fit. so I say comp eng bolt ons and weild them in. I hear the bolt on one fit without cutting the floor pan.
biker
...on probation

 

They fit like a glove and require no cutting of the floor pan. Very sturdee indeed.

 

I have Spohn's tube SFCs, installed at Spohn Performance. Though I can't make any comparisons since these are my first SFCs, they perform great. One end (I believe the rear) has the large metal plate that welds to the frame rail on driver and passenger sides. they are spot welded along the floorpan and then the front ends are welded to the front frame rail I believe. I'm not too sure on the front, I'll have to double check. I've jacked the car up on both SFCs and the doors still open and close great. I think they're a great investment.

 

darn, they sound like they work great!

 

Like I said I think the bolt-ins are gutsier than the weld-ins.

 

are you talking about the weild in comp eng?
if so then where go they go because the guy that I was suposed to have put them in say that he would have needed to cut the floor pan. (he has done this before)
biker

 

i have the jegster bolt in. they went in flawlessly. i just had to pry the exhaust down a bit. i had them welded on later for strength. they are great...

 

thanks for the opinions. Does anyone have a pic of the comp eng bolt ons weled into place?

also for the alston type it seems everyone goes with the bolt on's and then welds them in. I can't seem to find them on their site.

 

go to:

http://www.alstonracing.com:8080/index.agent

Then click on browse catalog, then bolt on products, scroll down to general motors, then click on "more". They are #102411

 

hey guys i purchased some Chassis Engineering sfcs. and yes they fit great. My car went from creaking and squeaking around hard turns but now i can blast down mulholland hwy and pick up a rear tire during a hard turn. (relatively low speed turn) but any of these are only a good starting point. If you can fabricate at all id tie in the subframe where the transmission mounts to . hehe while you are down there with a welder, box your rear control arms and your panhard rod, save a few hundred dollars and get almost the same result as a tubular or boxed unit that dozens of manufactures sell.

 

Why are hotchkis products not popular?? Is it just because of the high pricing?? I just purchased hotchkis lca's and panhard rod am I am pretty impressed with them. I looked at different lca's/panhards and opted for hotchkis because their product looked the most "beefy." (key word being looked) My next investment will most likely be SFC's. Which brings me to the age old question..which ones should i buy? I notice that some SFC's are very different than.....we'll says Spohn's. (Im not knocking Steve in any way..Ive dealt with him before...had a very good impression with him and his company) Right now Im looking at a set of Kenny Browns for $250/SLP for $300 and they look a lot stronger than other setups.. When i say "Im looking" i mean at a picture.. Once the search option on this website is up and running I'll probably make my choice.. I hope what I posted isnt too confusing. I also hope that maybe some of you can answer my q's..

Later..