Subframe Connectors - Any Good?

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Offline Carlwalski

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Subframe Connectors - Any Good?
« on: July 06, 2005 - 12:26:21 AM »

If you were getting a car made and the shop in question offered subframe connectors, would you get them?

What are the benefits and are they any good?  :dontknow:



Thanks,
NZ
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
White, License Plate, 0A-5599
540ci Aluminium Hemi, F.A.S.T EFI
TF-727 Gear Vendor OD, Dana 60




Offline Challenger6pak

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Re: Subframe Connectors - Any Good?
« Reply #1 on: July 06, 2005 - 09:32:21 AM »
What are your plans for the car?  Are you going to race it? Restore it?  Street Machine ETC.  Your level of engine power will dictate the need for them.  Another consideration is that your car will be tighter in the handling department with them.  They are good and have their purpose.  I have used them many times.  I recommend bolting and welding them in.  Keep in mind this makes the car harder to restore down the road as they are not a factory item.
1969 Sport Satellite H code convertible, 1970 Cuda 440+6, 1970 Challenger R/T 440+6, 1970 Challenger 383 R/T auto, 1970 Challenger R/T 383 4 speed,1971 Challenger convertible.

Offline Wrencher

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Re: Subframe Connectors - Any Good?
« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2005 - 09:36:45 AM »
Another thing to consider is how weak the floor/spring attachment points are to start with.  If the car is very rusty, I would say adding the connectors would be a good idea since the original metail has weakened over the years.  Yes, it hurts value from the purist's views, but it will improve the integrity of the car.  My 2 cents.

Offline Carlwalski

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Re: Subframe Connectors - Any Good?
« Reply #3 on: July 06, 2005 - 03:24:36 PM »

Thanks lads. The car is a custom 1968 Dodge Charger R/T. It will be FULL resto from scratch, and will be a VERY solid car with new panels where needs be (If any) NO rust, absolutely no rust. Sounds like there are good, is there anything BAD about them?  :dontknow:

So you say get them? Yes/No  :grinyes: :grinno: :thumbs:


Being a custom there will be no need to worry about restoring the car down the track to original as this car will be built from nothing.  ;)
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
White, License Plate, 0A-5599
540ci Aluminium Hemi, F.A.S.T EFI
TF-727 Gear Vendor OD, Dana 60

Offline Wrencher

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Re: Subframe Connectors - Any Good?
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2005 - 03:57:11 PM »
Yes, get them.  There is definately a performance gain if originality is not an issue.

Offline hotrod98

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Re: Subframe Connectors - Any Good?
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2005 - 04:06:03 PM »
Is it a resto or a custom? Resto means back to original, custom means it will have deviations from stock.
With the way these unibodies fatigue, it's not a bad idea installing sub-frame connectors and any shop that's worth a d*mn can remove them later on. Some of my cars in the past have had so much cowl shake that it was almost a necessity to have sub frame connectors and/or torque boxes.  If your car was driven on back roads a lot as opposed to city/highway driving it will have cowl shake.
1971 Cuda, Tor-red, Bench seat
1971 Cuda Drag Car
1973 Cuda Clone, EFI/OD Limelight
1970 Superbird (Yes, it's real) Black Ice
1971 Barracuda Sassy Grass Green (sold)
1970 Challenger RT SE 383 Plum Crazy
1969 Road Runner Hardtop
1968 Road Runner Coupe (sold)

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Offline Carlwalski

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Re: Subframe Connectors - Any Good?
« Reply #6 on: July 06, 2005 - 04:07:49 PM »


Thanks lads.  :thumbs: It's custom and yes I do know the difference.  :laughing: ;) :grinyes:


Built from the ground up the way I order it.  :thumbs: Looks like I'll be getting them done. Thanks once again lads.  :wasted: :wave


:
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
White, License Plate, 0A-5599
540ci Aluminium Hemi, F.A.S.T EFI
TF-727 Gear Vendor OD, Dana 60

Offline cuda

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Re: Subframe Connectors - Any Good?
« Reply #7 on: July 06, 2005 - 08:58:22 PM »
Get them foresure.

Offline Carlwalski

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Re: Subframe Connectors - Any Good?
« Reply #8 on: July 06, 2005 - 09:18:31 PM »
Get them fore sure.


I, I capt-in!  ;)
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
White, License Plate, 0A-5599
540ci Aluminium Hemi, F.A.S.T EFI
TF-727 Gear Vendor OD, Dana 60

Offline hotrod98

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Re: Subframe Connectors - Any Good?
« Reply #9 on: July 06, 2005 - 10:19:18 PM »
Hey NZ,
The reason I said the thing about resto or custom is you would not believe the number of guys that come into my shop and ask me to do a resto on their car and then proceed to tell me all of the mods that they want. I stop them and tell them to make up their minds. Resto or custom? You can't have both.
My red '71 looks original but is one of the most heavily modified cars that I have built. I sold an '71 N96 shaker cuda and had enough money to build three new toys.

My '71 has the following mods:

1.   It's actually a '71 Gran Coupe...ooops, I cut up a rare car.
2.   Was a 318...now a 340.
3.   Was an automatic...now a pistol grip 4-speed.
4.   Had plain fenders...now has gilled fenders.
5.   Had argent grille...now painted red to match.
6.   Had scooped hood...now has shaker.
7.   Had white leather interior...now has black leather interior.
8.   Was gold...now it's red.
9.   Added wing.
10. Added nos louvers.
11. Added 15" ralleys
12. Painted steel bumpers.
13. Had black 3-spoke steering wheel...now has tuff wheel.
14. Had Gran Coup rocker moldings...now has Cuda rocker moldings.
15. Added Cuda tail moldings.

I've had more fun with this car than just about any car I've had. I say build them the way you want them. The non-mopar guys don't have a clue anyway.
1971 Cuda, Tor-red, Bench seat
1971 Cuda Drag Car
1973 Cuda Clone, EFI/OD Limelight
1970 Superbird (Yes, it's real) Black Ice
1971 Barracuda Sassy Grass Green (sold)
1970 Challenger RT SE 383 Plum Crazy
1969 Road Runner Hardtop
1968 Road Runner Coupe (sold)

www.maniacmusclecars.com


Offline Carlwalski

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Re: Subframe Connectors - Any Good?
« Reply #10 on: July 06, 2005 - 10:57:36 PM »

Thanks hotrod...I believe you can you both a restored car with modern upgrades where needed taking out the factory "bugs".

I call it Resification.

My Challenger is what I call restored or Restified. Everything is how it came form the factory apart from:

# Vicus Fan Package
# Electronic MoPar Ignition Upgrade
# Headers/Exhaust
# New 2-1/2" Exhaust Tips
# Tuff Wheel
# Bigger Tires
# From Column/Console
# Tilt Pistol Grip Shifter

IMO there is too big-a-gap between Custom and Resto to choose a side. You can do both but in your own way.  ;)
It's a funny topic with many variables involved.
To this day I'm pretty sure no one knows exactly when to draw the line on a restored or custom vehicle.


 :wave:
« Last Edit: July 06, 2005 - 10:59:37 PM by NZ440R/T »
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
White, License Plate, 0A-5599
540ci Aluminium Hemi, F.A.S.T EFI
TF-727 Gear Vendor OD, Dana 60

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Subframe Connectors - Any Good?
« Reply #11 on: July 06, 2005 - 11:00:21 PM »
I put connectors in a lot of cars , I use 1 X 2" steel tube .125 wall & bend th etube to keep it tight to the floor , you can barely see it & yes it helps

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline Carlwalski

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Re: Subframe Connectors - Any Good?
« Reply #12 on: July 06, 2005 - 11:02:28 PM »
I put connectors in a lot of cars , I use 1 X 2" steel tube .125 wall & bend th etube to keep it tight to the floor , you can barely see it & yes it helps


Thanks CP I am ordering the subframe connectors.  ;) I'm not sure on the dimensions of the tubes but the crowd who I am getting to do this build are VERY reptuable so I trust their judgment and expertise to create the best subframes to suit my ride.  :D ;)
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T
White, License Plate, 0A-5599
540ci Aluminium Hemi, F.A.S.T EFI
TF-727 Gear Vendor OD, Dana 60