Re-Welding factory subframe ?'s - Lateral-g Forums

g_vanlaar · #1 06-29-2009, 04:09 PM

When fully re-welding the factory front sub on a 1st gen camaro is there any special steps or precautions taken? Is a jig needed?

ZMAN1969 · #2 08-05-2009, 05:59 AM

I wouldnt bother with a jig, but you may want to do it in sections- weld 3-6" then do another side then come back to finish after cooling some.

BBC71Nova · #3 08-05-2009, 07:59 AM

Subscribing. Timely post. I hope to start this too soon so any tips would be helpful.

mrr1999 · #4 08-05-2009, 12:46 PM

Does anyone have good instructions on how to do this properly? Pics? Also, how strong of a welder do you need? Will a basic MIG work ok?

67bird · #5 08-06-2009, 04:09 AM

Check out the ATS website as they used to do this. I have tried to start welding on mine, but I need to get it cleaner before I can do anything with it. I would recommend only doing short stitches at a time.

67rstbkt · #6 08-06-2009, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrr1999

Does anyone have good instructions on how to do this properly? Pics? Also, how strong of a welder do you need? Will a basic MIG work ok?

X2 on the mig. I'll be wanting to do this at some point as well.

shaggy56 · #7 08-06-2009, 08:33 AM

I rewelded my subframe with a mig and it worked out fine. Its messy with flux core so if you have something that you want to visually see then I would suggest a mig with shielding gas conversion.

Shielding gas will cause cooler welds and possibly less penetration depending on what welder you use so I went for the flux core but I needed to weld in some inconspicuous areas. Im using a 220 volt mig welder now with a gas tip but I didnt use gas on the frame but I will for some tubbing and some other sheet metal work.

Norm Peterson · #8 08-07-2009, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrr1999

Does anyone have good instructions on how to do this properly? Pics? Also, how strong of a welder do you need? Will a basic MIG work ok?

How thick is the metal?

Figure 1 amp per 0.001" metal thickness. That means that 1/8" is crowding the limits of most 110 VAC machines - do-able, but just barely.

Norm

Sundance · #9 09-25-2009, 12:43 AM

The secret to good penetration with a small 110 machine is to use the small wire so the heat is concentrated longer in one spot. Course this goes against anything I've ever seen in print.

Easy way to see for yourself is to take a couple of 1/4" pieces of scrap, set the gap between the pieces around 1/16" inch. butt weld the pieces using .045 wire and .023 wire and see which gives you deeper penetration. Make sure you speed up the wire feed just a little for the smaller wire.

Also penetration really isn't too big of a concern for strengthening of a sub frame because a) the frame is already welded and has lasted 30+ years just fine, and b) the pieces will be lap welded.

If your patching a hole and using a small machine, bevel the edges to gain the needed penetration depth.