Hotchkis Subframe Connectors Installed

[Katfish]

I finally got around to having my subframe connectors welded in.  Not sure if it's just my imagination but the car is much quieter.  Don't seem to hear as many squeaks and groans.  Ride seems to be improved as well, just a little tighter.  My son joked the next upgrade should be new seats.  The factory seats don't provide any lateral support and we both slide sideways into the door or center console on any hard turns.

[dodj]

Nice work Katf. Did your car have rocker moldings at one point?
New seats are on my list too. Without the steering wheel to hold on to, I'd be in the passenger side during left turns!
 

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Lookin good! I definitely need those on my ride, thinking of making my own out of DOM

[72bluNblu]

Nice! I really need to get some kind of connectors in my car. Interesting to see how far the Hotchkis connectors hang down though. Not as far as the headers, but the lowest part of the connectors is pretty far away from the wheels.

I like the idea that the Hotchkis connectors are further out toward the edge of the car, mounting them at the spring hangers make sense from a twisting standpoint. Not so sure about them being completely visible below the rockers though...

[Katfish]

Yeah, there is a gap in the rear section.  I'm sure they do that for tolerancing.  In an ideal world they would hug the floor pan a little better.

You really don't notice it from a normal view.  I wanted to take a good low angle shot for those who it might bother.  I looked all over the Hotchkis site and didn't see any pics for comparison.

It seems my car did have some kind of rocker trim in the past, there are symmetric holes on both sides.

[cudazappa]

SFCs quieted my car down a LOT, too.

Two reasons for the Hotchkis design:
Ease of installation. 
Rules Compliance.

Cutting the floorpan is a major no no in SCCA for the "mild" classes.  Here you can still play competitively with the other "step-up from stock" guys.

Once you go to seats with side bolsters, you'll wonder what you did before them.

[boydsdodge]

I have mine in, The only thing that was a problem was the torque boxes.
There is some mods you will have to do.
If any of you need any tips on what to do if you have torque boxes let me know.
I like them.

[mcmasad]

I just got my Hotchkis Subframe connectors and have a few questions for those of you that have installed them.  How the heck do you tighten the top bolts once the subframe connector is in there.  I can't get anywhere near them.  Secondly, did you have to use a jack to force the subframe connector up to the frame so it could be welded?  I'm not hitting any metal, it just appears it take more force (basically using my jack) to push it up to the correct position.  Maybe this is on purpose so everything is super tight.  Lastly, how much of a gap did you have between the front subframe connector and the mount that gets welded onto the frame?  I have 3/4 of a inch which seems more than I was expecting.  1/4 seemed more appropriate to me.  I appreciate any thoughts.  Thanks.

[Katfish]

Did you download the instructions from the website, quite extensive, 10-12pages.

I mocked my up, but had a shop do the actual welding.  You definitely need a lift to get at it.

[wally426ci]

 

Lookin good! 

[mcmasad]

It came with the directions that are pretty easy to follow.  I figured out that I had to cut the torque boxes a bit so I could get at the top bolts.  The passenger side is going together easily.  I will attack the driver's side after lunch.  I should be good to go now.  Thanks again.

[Katfish]

Good to hear, mine doesn't have the torque boxes.

Post some pics when your done.

[mcmasad]

Once I cut the torque boxes a bit, the connectors fit very well.  I will get some pics this weekend and post them up.

[mcmasad]

Here are a couple pics

[dodj]

  My son joked the next upgrade should be new seats.  The factory seats don't provide any lateral support and we both slide sideways into the door or center console on any hard turns.

I bought these from JEGS on sale for $149 a couple weeks ago. While I can't take the car out for a drive to test them out, the added support for cornering is obvious.