Which aftermarket Subframe

[HBRod]

New guy question. I have spent about two weeks reading as many of the various posts as I could find relating to my question but couldn’t get enough information to form a clear choice. I have a plan to build a 69 Camaro in the pro-touring style (though I’m old enough to still think of them as streetable Trans-Am cars from the 60-70’s). Currently considering Speedtech, AME, DSE – are there others I should be looking at? The big Question is – which aftermarket front subframe? I do want to go to an aftermarket subframe to get:

1. Better suspension geometry
2. Rack and pinion steering (powered) – must be front steer not rear steer
3. Sway selection beyond a 1 size fits all

Still to be decided are:

1. Brake size – 13” or 14”
2. Coil over’s or Air suspension – I want some ride comfort and a reasonable amount of suspension travel (based on reading David Pozzi’s site and the threads here)

So if you have an aftermarket subframe please let me know why you chose what you have. And please let’s hear the positives about what you have or favor rather than what the others lack. I believe that there are lots of horses in the race but that the jockey (aka driver) is the true difference in who is the winner.

P.S. – Saw references to a Scott Mock subframe but when I searched the Internet couldn’t find any information about it. Just postings hear on Lateral-G and Pro-Touring.com.

[Musclerodz]

Originally Posted by HBRod

New guy question. I have spent about two weeks reading as many of the various posts as I could find relating to my question but couldn’t get enough information to form a clear choice. I have a plan to build a 69 Camaro in the pro-touring style (though I’m old enough to still think of them as streetable Trans-Am cars from the 60-70’s). Currently considering Speedtech, AME, DSE – are there others I should be looking at? The big Question is – which aftermarket front subframe? I do want to go to an aftermarket subframe to get:

1. Better suspension geometry
2. Rack and pinion steering (powered) – must be front steer not rear steer
3. Sway selection beyond a 1 size fits all

Still to be decided are:

1. Brake size – 13” or 14”
2. Coil over’s or Air suspension – I want some ride comfort and a reasonable amount of suspension travel (based on reading David Pozzi’s site and the threads here)

So if you have an aftermarket subframe please let me know why you chose what you have. And please let’s hear the positives about what you have or favor rather than what the others lack. I believe that there are lots of horses in the race but that the jockey (aka driver) is the true difference in who is the winner.

P.S. – Saw references to a Scott Mock subframe but when I searched the Internet couldn’t find any information about it. Just postings hear on Lateral-G and Pro-Touring.com.

must be front steer rules out Speedtech. AME is nice, but I prefer the look and feel of DSE between the two. If you want air, that would rule out DSE, so I would narrow down your needs and go from there.

[rjsjea]

Roadster shop, Scott's, Heidts, TCI, DSE, AME, SpeedTech etc......not that the market is flooded with Camaro stuff or anything.

[cjfirstgen]

Originally Posted by rjsjea

Roadster shop, Scott's, Heidts, TCI, DSE, AME, SpeedTech etc......not that the market is flooded with Camaro stuff or anything.

Chassisworks too....

[Spiffav8]

IMHO the the top three are AME, DSE and Speedtech...in no particular order. I've ridden in and driven them all numerous times. It comes down to how the car is setup and the driver. I found it interesting how one car with brand X could be so different from another car with the same Brand X.

Personally I would take a serious look at how you will drive/use the car and plan from there. Is it going to be full time autocross? Weekend driver? Little of both? Are you wanting to seriously compete?

You ruled out Speedtech, or at least it sounds like it. Though I wouldn't take them off your list just yet. Compare prices and then look at how dressing up the suspension (upgrades shocks, etc.) comes out.

Whatever you choose, I'm sure it will be a lot of fun.

Oh and I went with AME...just encase you are wondering.

[Sieg]

What are your performance objectives for the car/chassis?

Need vs wants?

[HBRod]

Yes, there are many companies making aftermarket subframes for 1st Gens. And I don't know enough to really critic them from a knowledge basis. (I'm like a kid who is re-learning the stuff I did 40 years ago with a '68.) But I've owned both a '68 and a '70 and liked the steering response of the '70 better (a front steering). Worked for import OEMs for nearly 30 of those years and like rack & pinion feel. Hence the preference. I've driven one aftermarket equipped car with a Mustange II suspension and it did not feel as compliant as I hope to get (though that is shocks more than A-arm). I like a lot of what Speedtech has to offer, just not keen on a single oil pan choice - going to be using an LS series. The Scott's mentioned is that Scott's Hotrods or Scott Mock. Like I said I'm still learning and developing a plan before I touch the car.

[HBRod]

I plan to both street drive and auto-x. One goal is to take this car on the Hot Rod Power Tour so I can cross that off my bucket list. And Curtis, you're so right that same car and equipment can feel different. Setup is everything. I hope to have two different alignment specs, 1 street and 1 for auto-x/track. I am aiming for only about 450 hp now so that I don't get more power than I can handle and want to get the suspension, brakes, tires and wheel good enough that I can work on driving skills before trying to go really fast. Walk before I try to run as it were.

[Spiffav8]

Originally Posted by HBRod

I plan to both street drive and auto-x. One goal is to take this car on the Hot Rod Power Tour so I can cross that off my bucket list. And Curtis, you're so right that same car and equipment can feel different. Setup is everything. I hope to have two different alignment specs, 1 street and 1 for auto-x/track. I am aiming for only about 450 hp now so that I don't get more power than I can handle and want to get the suspension, brakes, tires and wheel good enough that I can work on driving skills before trying to go really fast. Walk before I try to run as it were.

Well...you're in luck. All three I mentioned can supply you with everything you mentioned and more. The trick is not to break the bank in the process.

Do you already have the 69 or is the search still on?

[Build-It-Break-it]

Art Morrison or DSE for sure. I'd only choose between the two. I think you can't go wrong with the DSE or Art Morrison tho. Top notch customer service, quality frames and track proven. If you search the feedback section here you can find information on all the subframes you mentioned.