Put a jack under my 91 z28 that ive had for 3 weeks and the rail fell through and crushed because of rust. What is my best bet with reinforcing or replacing the subframe? Thanks.

 

Third gen Camaros don't really have a "subframe", instead many layers of sheetmetal welded together.

For any rust, especially rust-through, cut out all the rust, fabricate replacement panels from similar gauge steel and weld in. Depending on how much and how many locations are rusted, and how far you have to cut to get to non-rusted metal, it may be cheaper (not cheap) to get a new chassis..
Rust through collapses at jacking points sounds like you will be finding more all over the place, so the "easiest" way may be to find another car that has little to no rust, but everything else is beat. Swap all of your good/better parts to the other chassis.

Post some pictures to show how serious and extensive the rust is and you will likely get better responses.

 

Cheeepest, best, safest, most reliable method of repairing rust like that in these cars: 2 eeeeeeeeeezzzzzzy steps, so eeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzy even I can do it:

1. Throw car you shouldn't have bought in the trash. (after salvaging EVERYTHING even remotely worthwhile, to help yourself later on or others who will wave cash under your nose for it)
2. Use cash obtained in step 1 to buy a better car

Might not be what you "want" to hear, but beats the crap out of candy-coating or just outright lying, and you messing around endlessly with some wasted POS that will NEVER EVER EVER be right again NO MATTER WHAT.

 

Ouch!! Ever hear "a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down?"

 

Yeah I agree. These cars with a rotted frame is very dangerous if you ever hit anything or get hit. It will fold up and make you become part of it.

If it is just one specific area for some reason its one thing, but if it is wide spread do yourself and your passengers a favor, strip it and find another car.

 

Guys, Im reading this different.

I am reading that he tried to jack it up by the body seam and it just folded over. Which in that case, no biggy, use actual jacking points, not that weak seam.

Of course I could be wrong.

 

Some pics would help. You may be right I could of misinterpreted it.

 

I have the same issue on my 89 z28, unfortunately I believe my only solution is to channel my floor and install subframe connectors, then reweld my floor back in. I love the car, and stripping it is not an option, neither is a custom rear frame. I looked at some bolt in sfc kits and not overly sure if they would help, best to do it right to begin with.

 

What did you not understand about post #3 in this thread ?

 

Wowzers Sofa! I have a friend like you....straight to the point and don't sugar coat anything. Truth hurts! That's what I like about him!

I do agree with ya. If it's that bad, save your life and others and start from scratch.

 

Well up here cars without rot are hard to find, so we tend to use our skills to fabricate and repair old cars. Better to fix an old car then to scrap it. I wish I lived in a climate that cars didn't rust as bad as they do up here.

 

Around here they are too; so we tend to just buy em from someplace else.

Here's how to "fix" a car w rust:

1. Buy car w/o rust
2. Using Jeffrey Dahmer saw, blue wrench, etc., disassemble worthless car totally, cut wasted parts out
3. Using same implements, disassemble perfectly good car, cut same up
4. Do endless amounts of welding, fabrication, bondo, fiberglas, etc. etc. etc. to mate good sections onto worthless car
5. Re-assemble interior, suspension, etc., as required
6. Paint, re-do interior, replace all the disturbed wear-out parts, etc. on worthless car
7. Throw all the leftovers in trash

Your assignment is to explain what value steps 2 - 6 bring to the total project.

Do they save you money?

Do they save you time?

Do they produce a superior finished product?

Do they reduce the risk of missing something that might KILL YOU if you happen not to notice it?

Do you suppose you could buy a plane, train, or bus ticket to somewhere salt-free, for LESS TIME AND MONEY than all that other?

Then WHY would anyone in their right mind do that, once they've actually given it some HONEST, UNPREJUDICED thought??? In other words, instead of being stubborn and bullheaded about their poor idea, actually gave a better idea some fair consideration?

We're here to help, not unconditionally cheerlead regardless of how bad the idea is.

Sorry for being LOGICAL and COMMONSENSICAL instead of being a cheerleader. Too much BTDTGTTS over the years I guess.