Subframe buildup question - Lateral-g Forums

srh3trinity · #1 03-23-2009, 10:27 PM

I am finally at a point where I will have some time and space to do a little wrenching. I have enjoyed living vicariously through the board members in the mean time. I am going to be buying an early 2nd gen Firebird or Camaro eventually.
I have recently thought about the prospect of building up a Subframe and doing an LSX swap while looking for the right car. For those of you who have built up subframes, is this a viable way to go? I know it is unconventional, but I would buy an aftermarket subframe and add the components that I want and those that are proven along with the engine swap and after completing it, buy the car, install the subframe and then start working on the rear suspension. I realize that there are likely fitment issues with all subframe swaps, but this would be a reality at any stage in the game with an aftermarket piece, correct? Please weigh in. Thanks in advance.

awr68 · #2 03-23-2009, 10:52 PM

One thing that comes to mind is that you may end up getting a great deal on someone's project car that already has frame and or suspension upgrades done to it.

srh3trinity · #3 03-24-2009, 11:05 AM

This is an option that I have considered as well, but I do like getting my hands dirty, and I also want to pick the parts that I want. So, the likelihood of finding a project car that somebody is selling that has the right mix of parts is possible, but not likely. I have frequented the classified sections on most of the sites that I visit and will continue to do so.

thedude327 · #4 03-24-2009, 05:27 PM

Here's my 2 cents. If I was doing a second gen project from scratch, I'd just save up and buy a DSE subframe and be done with it. The sorting out has already been done and it's ready to go with larger brakes and If I remember, either C5 or C6 Vette spindles and control arms. Also, it uses the newer style hub that eliminates wheel fouling issues due to the old dust cap sticking out too far and rendering the wheel center cap unusable on alot of rims.(wheel manufacturers dirty little secret) Plus it comes with a power rack and pinion steering setup. If you still like to fiddle with sorting your project out, believe me, there are plenty of other areas that you can still play around with.

Paul
Good Luck !!!

coolwelder62 · #5 03-24-2009, 09:32 PM

The first thing you will need to build your own frt.sub frame is a jig or a stock sub frame to fab a jig. A good quality welder,band saw or chop saw & drill press. But you will need all these things to build your new project any way.I think there are a few people around who could lead you in the right direction if you want to build your own sub frame. Dive in and have a good time.

srh3trinity · #6 03-25-2009, 08:22 AM

Maybe my wording was bad. By subframe build up, I meant that I would buy an aftermarket subframe and put the suspension pieces, motor mounts, steering components and brakes on that I wanted. I don't have the skills to even begin fabricating a subframe, and I think that there are some great aftermarket choices out there.

10Seconds · #7 03-25-2009, 11:52 AM

I am building a 2nd gen Trans Am right now. I started it before there were aftermarket subframes available, so I decided to reuse the stock one and make it better. I ground out and redid all the welds, fully welding it and smoothing it out. I used tubular control arms with coilovers and am pretty happy with how it turned out and I am 2k ahead. The only think I wish I could have done was the rack and pinion steering, but I got a good box and will be fine with it.

And I did find out from a lot of talking to people on it that the stock 2nd gen subframe is not really that bad of a piece to start with.

I ended up building the rest of the frame all the way back for the car too, but thats a different issue.

srh3trinity · #8 03-25-2009, 12:06 PM

I have thought about building up a stocker too, because I have heard the second gens have some improvements over the first gens. When I started pricing out a lot of the components and features I started lookin at the aftermarket offerings. If I find the right car first, then I will definitely consider adding parts to the stock subframe for now and keep my eye on the market and see what becomes available as the build progresses. I was really just gauging the feasibility of building it separate from the car.

coolwelder62 · #9 03-26-2009, 08:08 AM

If your interested in builing a stock unit check out speedway motors new hot rod catalog. They are now ofering 2nd. Gen. tubular a arms w/ delrun bushings just a little over $300.00 per pr.Most of there suff like that is built in house. They have alot of parts a guy building on a budget can use. Speedway Motors .com