This is topic Subframe install pic in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by FasterDamnit (Member # 442) on :
 
Go to page 3- details there.
FasterDamnit's Pics!

JL

 

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Posted by FasterDamnit (Member # 442) on :
 
Heh-
For those of you that are spatial orientation challenged-
The lower control arm is in the box and off to the left so it is out of frame. I shot the pic lying on the ground in front of the house.

JL


 

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Posted by st5150 (Member # 51) on :
 
Looks pretty good. Notice anything after the install?

[ May 09, 2002, 06:39 PM: Message edited by: st5150 ]
 

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Posted by FasterDamnit (Member # 442) on :
 
Yup.
I finally had a chance to drive it this afternoon. Much better! Over railroad tracks and thru turns at speed the car feels much more solid. Especially over rough surfaces- you don't realize how much a unibody flexes until you stiffen it up. I have no idea if it will help 60 ft.'s at my power level but I am no longer worried about tearing up the t-boxes. Trying to launch on street tires it feels quite different- more like the whole car is rising- not just the front (my sway bar end links are off.) I hope Chirag can get some pics of my launches tomorrow night. I will put the end-links back on Saturday and go try some twisties, too...



JL

ps- got a g-load brace (4 pt) to go in, too! A gift- gotta love that price!
 

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Posted by shade-tree (Member # 298) on :
 
I think sub-frames actually focus the abuse to the torque boxes. Just my theory after watching the damage to mine.
 

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Posted by FasterDamnit (Member # 442) on :
 
I'm sure you do.
 

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Posted by shade-tree (Member # 298) on :
 
I assume by that you disagree.
Think of what happens to the torque box area when the chassis does not flex. Energy formerly dissipaited to the chassis is now only flexing on the torque box .Very similar to what happens to the movement of the LCA in the torque box when there is a solid bushing.
I'm not selling the theory, just my $.01
 

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Posted by FasterDamnit (Member # 442) on :
 
Just being obnoxious- allergies are kickin' my butt and making me cranky. With the stock t-boxes the loads are transmitted to the body shell at the pinch welds, so each weld is a stressed point. Now, if you have a subframe connector and no other reinforcements I suppose it is possible that you are changing/increasing the loads for given points and acccelerating wear. I do believe that by adding the plates to the t-boxes and then welding the subs to the plates that the load is now distributed over a much greater area plus the t-box flexure is reduced. I should have chucked electronics and gone fo Mech. Eng. Can't ever recall debating digital control systems with such fervor...

JL


 

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Posted by shade-tree (Member # 298) on :
 
I'm sure the torque box re-inforcements will do wonders for keeping them alive in your application. I'm just saying that my car experienced (coincidentally?) accelerated torque box damage after the installation of MM full length subframes (with seat and torque box reinforcements).

Of course, I'd rather crack the torque box than the A-pillar. One is a bitch to fix. The other is kind of a PITA/impossible to fix even with a good body guy and a ton of bondo
 

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Posted by st5150 (Member # 51) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by shade-tree:
Of course, I'd rather crack the torque box than the A-pillar.

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"Its only a flesh wound"
 

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Posted by erccobra (Member # 1112) on :
 
what and where is the torque box
 

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Posted by shade-tree (Member # 298) on :
 
the torque box is where your lower control arm bolts to the frame. Basically 90% plus of the launch goes to the lower control arm (the rest to the upper).

if you run slicks on stock torque boxes with a lower control arm like SSM lift bars or others without bushings, your torque boxes will warp, crack, and make 'popping' noises when you drive.
eventually, they will rip out of the car.
 

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