Best bolt in subframe for the money????

[Rob07002]

Originally Posted by Mkelcy

In a budget build, you can reuse the stock UCAs & LCAs - so knock off $700.

I wouldn't do a R&P in a budget build, just get a good box, say $350, knock off another $450.

Brakes are going to be the same from stock to aftermarket subframe, but you can do LS1 13" brakes on a stock subframe for under $500.

Time to perform G Mod? - Please we're hobbyists!

Misc, Ball joints, hardware, motor mounts = $300 - okay

You forgot DSE or GW UCA & LCA bushings, a good sway bar, shocks and springs and solid subframe to body mount bushings - Say $900.

So I can do a first class rebuild of a stock subframe, with a new fast ratio steering box, 13" LS1 brakes, aftermarket Delrin or Delalum UCA and LCA bushings, a sway bar, rebuilt steering linkage, new shocks and springs and solid subframe to body bushings for about $2,200. It will accept 245-45-17's and handles extremely well, as this is exactly the setup I have on my car now.

I've ordered the 21st Century subframe, and let me tell you, by the time all is said and done, it'll be well in excess of $6,000 before it hits the road and that's trying to do it inexpensively. If you have 21st Century supply the C5 suspension bits and brakes, you're looking at close to $7,000 before even thinking about their $1,800 headers, which they say are needed with their subframe.

So which is the better bang for the buck? Don't misunderstand me, if you're doing a price is no object performance car (sort of my current project), the aftermarket subframes are probably the way to go. But you can get wonderful performance with a stock subframe and control arms put together with well chosen after market parts.

Don't get me wrong I hear what your saying. I agree 100% that you can make a stock sub perform extremely well with fairly economical upgrades, but its comparing apples to oranges.... The point I'm trying to make is if you tried to recreate an aftermkt SF with a R&P, tubular uppers and lowers, sway bar, brakes and all the other added bennies ONLY using a stock Subframe Core, the price would be very close...... In other words if you want all the Cool stuff whether or not the benefits are very noticable your probably better off going aftermkt..... Subframes like 21st Century and Wayne Due are in a different catagory IMO, I'm just talking one or two levels above stock.... Like a Martz, or Chassisworks, or even Fatman for that matter. I personally would rather chuck a rusty piece and replace with fresh new metal, even if it doesn't blow away an upgraded stock sub....