1970-81 DSE Frame "Extras"

[badazz81z28]

Originally Posted by Musclerodz

You will need the first gen one.

Do you happen to have a link?

[TonyHuntimer]

Originally Posted by 68LS1

My understanding is that you need a 1st Gen crossmember. The DSE subframe rails are same for 1st & 2nd gen.

I'm yet to test fit my engine & trans.

Roger,

Are you upgrading to a DSE? Do they offer right-hand drive?

Tony Huntimer

[Ben@SpeedTech]

Hey Tony We've got a right hand drive system for a 1st gen. We've sent a bunch to Australia.

Musclerodz- Have you compared the two? We've had a 1st gen DSE subframe car come through the shop and the 1st Gen ATS cross member fit great. We haven't had a 2nd gen DSE subframe come through the shop though, so you've got our attention. What makes a 1st Gen ATS mount fit better than a 2nd gen ATS mount on the DSE frame?

Thanks for any insight you can share.

[Musclerodz]

Originally Posted by Ben@SpeedTech

Hey Tony We've got a right hand drive system for a 1st gen. We've sent a bunch to Australia.

Musclerodz- Have you compared the two? We've had a 1st gen DSE subframe car come through the shop and the 1st Gen ATS cross member fit great. We haven't had a 2nd gen DSE subframe come through the shop though, so you've got our attention. What makes a 1st Gen ATS mount fit better than a 2nd gen ATS mount on the DSE frame?

Thanks for any insight you can share.

I was told by DSE they designed their second gen sub to use a first gen crossmember. I have not personally compared the two crossmembers. I have had both subs here but the second gen install we did was an auto and it was 3 years ago, I have slept since then unfortunately.

[68LS1]

Originally Posted by TonyHuntimer

Roger,

Are you upgrading to a DSE? Do they offer right-hand drive?

Tony Huntimer

Hi Tony, hope you are well

This is for my new 70 Camaro project

The 68 is staying as is for awhile

Cheers Roger

[68LS1]

Originally Posted by Ben@SpeedTech

Hey Tony We've got a right hand drive system for a 1st gen. We've sent a bunch to Australia.

Musclerodz- Have you compared the two? We've had a 1st gen DSE subframe car come through the shop and the 1st Gen ATS cross member fit great. We haven't had a 2nd gen DSE subframe come through the shop though, so you've got our attention. What makes a 1st Gen ATS mount fit better than a 2nd gen ATS mount on the DSE frame?

Thanks for any insight you can share.

Hi Ben
From what I understand, the DSE hydro formed frame rails are same, for first & second gen, crossmember & body mounts are different. Getting firm info from DSE was more difficult than I am used to from them, very non committal.
This means a second gen trans xmember won't work as the stock subframe mounting is further back. You guys would understand differences best between first & second gen trans xmember mounting points.
I have a first gen trans xmember from Hurst Drivelines coming which I ordered with transmission, will look at fit and compare with the ATS one I have in my 68.
Regards Roger

[badazz81z28]

Originally Posted by 68LS1

Hi Ben
From what I understand, the DSE hydro formed frame rails are same, for first & second gen, crossmember & body mounts are different. Getting firm info from DSE was more difficult than I am used to from them, very non committal.
This means a second gen trans xmember won't work as the stock subframe mounting is further back. You guys would understand differences best between first & second gen trans xmember mounting points.
I have a first gen trans xmember from Hurst Drivelines coming which I ordered with transmission, will look at fit and compare with the ATS one I have in my 68.
Regards Roger

I'm ready to buy my crossmember as soon as we figure this out

[Smittys67]

Buying the sub frame at the big box store saved you some money. But you got 0 info. You can buy headers from Ultimate Headers they fit and are like $1200ish depending on finish. I know they fit I have fit them.

P.s you have to buy them through a dealer.

[badazz81z28]

Originally Posted by Smittys67

Buying the sub frame at the big box store saved you some money. But you got 0 info. You can buy headers from Ultimate Headers they fit and are like $1200ish depending on finish. I know they fit I have fit them.

P.s you have to buy them through a dealer.

The post has been updated

[Matt@BOS]

Originally Posted by badazz81z28

"Some Money" is an understatement. Even though a vendor can provide excellent support and advice, I saved entirely too much money to justify buying advice. Dude I saved nearly $1500, free freight, and I earned $200 in summit bucks. I greatly appreciate the advice given and my target audience in forums is actual consumers who are using this frame. Please don't feel like I stabbed vendors in the back than asked them for help. I don't make $80 an hour so I need to save where I can.

FWIW, I called DSE and they were very helpful, unfortunately they fabricate their cross-members specific for each build.

Yup, its hard to justify buying at close to list from someone that has built cars with the parts they sell, and know all of the hidden expenses, because they don't sell enough volume to get the great pricing like companies who have small offices and place orders and drop ship parts all day, or from huge places like Summit that can and will price match.

/mini rant after receiving emails and private messages for install tips and help from people after they elsewhere.