cheap subframe?

[John510]

Buy a Speedtech! They are cheap. Only around 5K complete and are bad ass.

[Spiffav8]

Originally Posted by John510

Buy a Speedtech! They are cheap. Only around 5K complete and are bad ass.

Well...they don't cost as much as others. LoL

[Blake Foster]

Originally Posted by John510

Buy a Speedtech! They are cheap. Only around 5K complete and are bad ass.

lol let's not use the word CHEAP.

how about value added, or bang for the buck, or maybe even awesome deal.

OH and this month you will even get FREE AFX standard height spindles if you order the subframe kit.

[John510]

I meant cheap as in price not cheap as in quality. Sorry


I have one on Bloodline.

[Spiffav8]

Originally Posted by John510

I meant cheap as in price not cheap as in quality. Sorry


I have one on Bloodline.

I thought it was funny.

[Blake Foster]

Originally Posted by John510

I meant cheap as in price not cheap as in quality. Sorry


I have one on Bloodline.

i know you do John, and i too thought it was funny. just bustin ur balls

[justinyvehc]

So here is my question to throw into the mix. Slightly off the topic of pure performance but I think very important in whether or not to go aftermarket sub frame.

I have an LS1 and auto from a 2000 camaro with all standard front drive accessories that I am about to fit into a ’68 camaro. Will any of the after market sub frames allow me to use all the 4th gen camaro accessories and oil pan? If so this is a no brainer to go after market.

Correct me if im wrong on these costs, If I stick with the factory frame Im at least into it $2k for A arms coil overs plus whatever else to get it to perform close to an after market setup. Then looking at $1500-2k for engine accesory drive kit to clear stock sub frame plus $400 for oil pan. 11” wildwood setup approx $1000. I need to get a new steering box anyway so that’s another $400. So that’s around 6k.

Im pretty sure speedtech or DSE or heidts could fit me up with a fully loaded setup for $6k or less and have the advantages of modern geometry, wider front tire, rack front steering, more header clearance etc. etc. But……. will my stock 4 th gen camaro accessories and oil pan work with these setups.

Im looking to purchase this week so any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks, Justin

[Mkelcy]

Originally Posted by justinyvehc

So here is my question to throw into the mix. Slightly off the topic of pure performance but I think very important in whether or not to go aftermarket sub frame.

I have an LS1 and auto from a 2000 camaro with all standard front drive accessories that I am about to fit into a ’68 camaro. Will any of the after market sub frames allow me to use all the 4th gen camaro accessories and oil pan? If so this is a no brainer to go after market.

Correct me if im wrong on these costs, If I stick with the factory frame Im at least into it $2k for A arms coil overs plus whatever else to get it to perform close to an after market setup. Then looking at $1500-2k for engine accesory drive kit to clear stock sub frame plus $400 for oil pan. 11” wildwood setup approx $1000. I need to get a new steering box anyway so that’s another $400. So that’s around 6k.

Im pretty sure speedtech or DSE or heidts could fit me up with a fully loaded setup for $6k or less and have the advantages of modern geometry, wider front tire, rack front steering, more header clearance etc. etc. But……. will my stock 4 th gen camaro accessories and oil pan work with these setups.

Im looking to purchase this week so any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks, Justin

LOL, your "estimates" of the cost to upgrade the stock subframe are certainly one way to talk your self into an aftermarket unit. And if that's where you are, please ignore the rest of this post.

However, doing it not totally on the cheap, I come up with more like $3,000 - $3,500 for a really nice bolt-on build based on a stock subframe.

Suspension:$170 for a sway bar; $540 for SC&C UCA with tall ball joints; $550 for SC&C LCAs; $200 for AFCO spring adjusters and the springs in your choice of rate; $200 for front shocks: total $1660.

Accessory Drive: Reuse the F-body accessory drive you have and buy a KWIK mount for the AC Compressor: total - $200.

Oil Pan: I don't know if the stock LS1 oil pan will clear most after market subframes, so I'll give you the $400 for that.

Brakes: $115 for some Kore3 brake adapters and maybe $400 for a complete used LS1 Camaro or C5 front brake setup; Total - $515.

Steering: Rebuilt IROC box $200; Lee Engineering adapters & rag joint $100 - total $300.

So that’s around $3,075. You could reuse the stock UCA/LCA and pull $600 or more out of that number, or increase it with more expensive options. But a price of $6,000 to upgrade a stock subframe is pretty high.

[realcoray]

Originally Posted by justinyvehc

Correct me if im wrong on these costs, If I stick with the factory frame Im at least into it $2k for A arms coil overs plus whatever else to get it to perform close to an after market setup. Then looking at $1500-2k for engine accesory drive kit to clear stock sub frame plus $400 for oil pan. 11” wildwood setup approx $1000. I need to get a new steering box anyway so that’s another $400. So that’s around 6k.

Im pretty sure speedtech or DSE or heidts could fit me up with a fully loaded setup for $6k or less and have the advantages of modern geometry, wider front tire, rack front steering, more header clearance etc. etc. But……. will my stock 4 th gen camaro accessories and oil pan work with these setups.

You're numbers are wrong in a number of ways. You don't need an accessory drive kit, you can easily get away with options that would cost around 300$.

You don't get brakes with the aftermarket subs and brakes may be more expensive for them (non oem corvette brakes = $$$). Headers will be more expensive unless a header that fits a stock subframe ls1 swap fit. Don't assume that a stock oil pan would work, etc.

Comparing apples to oranges, purely for the subframe stock would be about 2/3rds of the cost (say 4k vs 6k~), that is for AFX spindles, arms, shocks, springs, steering, sway bar etc. I speak from the experience of buying all of this stuff.

Now, while I believe my subframe will perform more than good enough such that I would not be able to discern much difference performance wise when compared to the more expensive options, on future cars I will probably just order one. Why? Because I spent countless hours evaluating every single part, such that I'd buy the best parts that fit what I wanted to do. It's by far easier to just order it out of a catalog and everything will work together.

You still have the research about brakes and headers and what not, but hopefully the company would be able to offer you ideas.

[justinyvehc]

I guess I was a little put off on the accesory drive kit. Its too easy to look at the vendors goodies they have for ls1 swaps and assume its what you need. Ive spent most of the moring doing research and its the unfortunate fact that the more you read and see the more you want. I think maybe I am talking myself into an aftermarket setup but I do like the idea that your buying all the design work in a combined tested and proven packge.

I talked to a heidts rep and their proG IFS subframe complete incl. wilwood 11" rotors & dynalite calipers, single adjustable coilovers, trans mount SS brake line kit is around $4k. The stock camaro oil pan works but they are unsure on the AC compressor. Headers to suit are around $600

I actually sent my stock subframe off to be powder coated last week so options are still open to go this way. If one of the vendors can PM me a kit that would will save me a few $$ and still give decent handling i would definately consider. As far as what I want the car for, I autocross in my current car but Im more there for the fun than winning every race, I intend to do alot of street driving so still looking for decent ride without shaking all my fillings lose.