Hey guys, i've got a question about sub frame connectors. What is the best company to use for sub frame connectors like hotchkis, spohn, etc. and are they hard to install or should i have a professional do them? thanks guys

 

depends on what you plan to use the car for.

From my readings, boxed sfcs are best for drag.
round is best for daily use/autox.

Some hang low, and if you plan to lower the car, just make it to low to use.

Some intfer with custom exhaust.

So it depends on your intentions with the car.

 

i plan on useing it just for daily driving to then next year driving to college and back every day, next year probably mostly highway with sum town driving.

 

I have the Jeg's bolt in SFCs. They are fairly easy to install.
However, they require drilling holes because they are
floor board mounted in the front. They are a boxed
design. They tuck up nice and clear stock exhaust,
but beware! They may not clear aftermarket
exhaust (i.e: long tube headers or aftermarket Y-pipe).

For a smaller design and shape, go for the round Spohn
ones. May have better clearance for aftermarket or
custom exhaust.

 

what about for a drag application? im going to have long tubes, with custom exhaust.

on my last car, i had the spohns. they perfect. they cleared everything. but for the drag i wanted to know if there was somthing better?

 

Nope. Spohns have the most clearance for anything. Custom exhausts, stock, dual cat, whatever. Since they are of the perimeter style, they dont run into the way of anything. Also since they tuck up inside next to the rocker you also have the most ground clearance out of any other brand and they always have a good fit, unlike other brands that Ive read about on TGO.

Kat

 

Well, I would call or e mail Steve Spohn directly, and
ask if anyone has been using his SFCs on all-out drag cars.
I am sure that quite a few of his customers have used
the round or square SFCs for drag racing with no problems.
If they are chromemoly tubing, then they should be
fine for an all out drag car. I am sure even mild steel
can hold up as well. I think Steve Spohn himself uses his
own SFCs on his all-out drag Camaro.

IMO, honestly, I don't think you can get any better than
Spohn's or BMR's SFCs , WELD ON . I say weld on
because I don't think bolt on is a good idea for any
drag car. Although, bolt on is fine at first, then you can
put welds on them after they are bolted in. A street
car is fine for bolt on, which I have. A high 12 low
13 second car is fine for that.

There are literally like two dozen SFCs for our cars. I
would say pick out the one that is the most popular, the
the easiest install and the most trusted name in the
business: Spohn. Although there's nothing wrong with
Competition Engineering, Jeg's, Hotchkis, Edelbrock,
Granitelli, etc. which are sold at Summit and Jeg's.
Most people here seem to prefer Spohns more than
anything. He has some of the best materials and
quality parts I had ever seen. Welds are top notch
too! Even if you think that the existing ones he makes
may not be to your liking, I bet that he could make
a custom set for your car, for the right price.


Just my

 

Your right. Can't get any better than Spohn's for
clearance. They are made slightly smaller in diameter
and are made to tuck in more than most other brands.

 

Yup that and you also get the added benefit of having tubular steel too. Which IMO is better than box steel and the way it directs the forces through it.

Kat

 

what about alstons? ive heard that people run the spohns and the alstons together.

 

You can, from what I've read on here lately Alistons have been having fitment issues with the passenger side bar. Also with them you loose a few inches of ground clearance and some cases loose exhaust clearance. Even on stock setups.

Kat

 

Running Spohns and Alstons together is great. As regards the fitment of the Alstons - well few 'bolt-on' parts actually turn out to be bolt on in reality. The Alstons fit fine after a little persuasion with a BFH to the mounting cup areas, bolt them into place, attack them again with a BFH and then weld them in.

As regards exhaust clearance issues; if you're getting a custom exhaust made up then it doesn't matter. If you want the easiest to fit and most likely to work with most exhaust systems then go for a perimeter style tubular SFC from Spohn.

 

ok, so my next question....

who do i get in contact with about purchasing the spohns and the alstons? and then is there anybody/or a shop thats local to chicago that i can get them installed?

 

www.spohn.net or sales@spohn.net

Kat

 

is there any way to bolt on the spohns before I can get them to a welder. I ask because I just got my paint done and looking near my t-tops there's a stress crack already starting to form again, I want to get these on before I drive it anymore, but unfortunatly I cannot weld/ or have access to someone who can....thats why I might just get comp en. ones instead


and is there any truth to sfc's having to be connected while the car is on the ground i.e. not on jack stands/lift?

 

IMO all things that deals with the chassis of the car, needs to be installed with weight on the suspension.
Parts like SFC's, LCA's, roll bar/cage, etc

That means.. If you do it at home, put car on 4 ramps, if you take it to a shop, make sure the shop has and uses a drive on style lift

 

good to know thanks!

 

I have Alstons on mine and make a real difference. No fitment issues because I read the post in TGO concerning the front passenger need to be far forward as possible. Mine is under the transmission support.

 

for info about these sfcs check out this link it is very informative with alot of pictures of installed/uninstalled.

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=335711

 

Another choice is Global West's version. I purchased these before Spohn was producing (IIRC--for the same reason I have their steering box brace). They're a weld-in version. No ground clearance is lost. I'm running Hooker 2055's, a high-flow cat, and 3-inch Hooker catback without any issues.

JamesC

 

SPOHN i live in quebec canada dependign on the welder you
will have for the instalation spohn is best for stifnes by design
well i know ruff road