[burn]

Hey guyz, today I finally picked up my box tubing for my subframe brace. It took me about 3 hours start to finish to build & install. Hardest parts was deciding the best place to put it! heres a list & costs of materials I used:
15' of 1"x2"x1/8" box tubing - free
4 of 1/2" x 1" long bolts - .33 ea
4 of 1/2" lock washers - .11 ea
4 of 1/2" lock nuts - .49 ea
4 of 1/2" fender washers - .13 ea

So I have enuf tubing to make like 5 braces. I have to make one for the guy that got me the tubing, then im putting another one on the beater, so ill have 2 more for sale / trade.
the 2nd gen braces are 28 1/8" long, and the 3rd gens are like 30ish" long. So im gonna make one for the guy with the 3rd gen that got me the tubing & ill record the dimensions, and when I make one for my beater ill also record the dimensions. This way should I make more & have a template.... ANYWAYS... heres the pic (I took it at 11:30 at night, so ill get a better one during the day):
http://home.cogeco.ca/~pteahan/brace.jpg</URL>">

As for testing the brace, I did notice a bit of a difference as far as it seems to hook up better when launching... It kinda feels a touch slower off a launch, and faster thru 2-5, but I cant see how that is possible.. i think its just my imagination. I havent really seen a huge difference as far as cornering goes, but I need to upgrade my front sway so its kinda neutral as far as that goes. I plan to upgrade my front swap along with a few other things over the winter, so well see how it goes!

any questions or comments lemme know!

 

[Six_Shooter]

I'm interested in where you installed that (it's hard to see in the pic). It sounds like you didn't install it in the same way as the GM brace, since it uses factory bolts that are in all 1st/2nd gen J-bodies. :-?

 

[burn]

hey man, i contemplated on several different locations, and this was the best one I could find. I knew I had to keep it as in line with the struts as possible, but it difficult beings as the frame is so curvy in the top layer. Also, several spots seemed either too weak or too thin, or too far away from the struts. I wound up mounting it just in front of the rear A-arm mount. hard to explain but it was the only feasable location. Ill get more detail pics when I put the brace on the beater. Also, there wasent any unused holes or strong enuf bolts in the area I put it in so I had to make new holes.

 

[Six_Shooter]

The factory brace goes between the 4 middle bolts in the 2 subframes, which is actually a pretty strong location for installing something like this.

 

[burn]

yea, i was looking at bolting it there (where they frame kinda bolts to the unibody) but it seemed too far away from the strut mounts to make a difference.

 

[black94rs]

Now you need to make some that goe from the front engine cradle to the rear suspension/axle pick up points. That would GREATLY strengthen the chassis. I had those drawn up somewhere. If I can dig up the sketches I can CAD them up for you and send you the plans if you want.

 

[patrick]

this is my subframe brace

 

[nemesis25]

this is my subframe brace

Wtf happened to that poor car

 

[patrick]

this is my subframe brace

Wtf happened to that poor car

i gutted it and cut it in half to fit it in me garage

 

[nemesis25]

this is my subframe brace

Wtf happened to that poor car

i gutted it and cut it in half to fit it in me garage

OK :lol: Thats as good a reason as any I guess. :lol:

 

[tyla_z24]

It looks like it may have fit in the garage without removing the whole body of the car. I would have just left it outside.

 

[patrick]

It looks like it may have fit in the garage without removing the whole body of the car. I would have just left it outside.

it wouldnt of fit in the garage with the cavi also though and its a parts car so i dont really care what happens to it all i care was about me profits

 

[Six_Shooter]

Patrick; Nice Quad4 L-body.