Hey gang, I am in the middle of my cars restoration and have the subframe out, stripped and cleaned. I am planning to go over all of the welds and reweld any suspect areas. This got me to wondering are there any particular areas or mods i could do or add {via extra plates, boxing or gussets etc.} to help firm this subframe up?

i did the Guldstrand mod before the clean up and had already installed poly control arm bushings, high rate springs, and a 1 inch sway bar back in the 1990s when I was still playing with it regularly, all of this will go back on. Also have hd 5 leafs out back

My goal is a fun driver, i have a set of Global west subframe connectors to go on, a close ratio steering box, 17 x 8.5 wheels and nitto rubber, and also have a Trans Am 1 1/8 sway bar that i may go back with.

I have to stay low buck so no art morrison subframes - although donations are welcome:yes:

thanks, Matt

Matt , I recently blasted my sub , did the Guldstrand mod , and just basically cleaned up all the welds , some of them I rewelded . The thing that really made a difference was to weld the seams on top and bottom of the frame rails up solid , front to back , I couldn't believe the difference in stiffness before/after .

Terry

Terry,
That is my plan too. i am also going to weld up the edges of the engine crossmember and the trans crossmember.

I keep looking at that u shaped crossmember under the radiator and thinking about boxing it up as well as the cross brace from the front (radiator?)crossmember to the engine crossmember. I dont know - probably a lot of extra work for not much benefit:clonk:

goodnight
-Matt

Matt , I recently blasted my sub , did the Guldstrand mod , and just basically cleaned up all the welds , some of them I rewelded . The thing that really made a difference was to weld the seams on top and bottom of the frame rails up solid , front to back , I couldn't believe the difference in stiffness before/after .

Terry
Is there any worry of the subframe warping any welding the seams? I was planning this also.

Is there any worry of the subframe warping any welding the seams? I was planning this also.
Yes, it will warp if you start at one end and just weld to the other. Alternate spots (top, bottom,rt, left) in no particular order and let cool down naturally between welds you should be fine. (or so I've been told). Since we're on the subject of sub frames .... Anyone know what it costs to powder coat one?

Jeff

Yes, it will warp if you start at one end and just weld to the other. Alternate spots (top, bottom,rt, left) in no particular order and let cool down naturally between welds you should be fine. (or so I've been told). Since we're on the subject of sub frames .... Anyone know what it costs to powder coat one?

Jeff

a lot more than a few cans of Krylon black primer and black semi gloss black spray paint..
i used that on the subframe in my Nova, and after 2 years of driving thru all sorts of weather ranging from snow to hail storms and on every kind of road from brand new interstate to rutted up dirt roads, the paint still looked like brand new when i hosed the dirt off.
i figure that in those 2 years i put more miles on that car than most restored/modified 35 year old cars get in 20 years, so most people would be fine with the Krylon approach...

I got my subframe blasted and powdercoated last year for $150.00.

I got my subframe blasted and powdercoated last year for $150.00.
Thanks Bob, I'll have to think serious about checking my local price now.

Jeff

I like the idea of welding everything up for stiffness, and have thought about doing that to mine. a couple of questions though;

1) would it hurt the value of my car?

2) I am an aircraft maintenance supervisor and I know that stresses just tend to transfer when one part of any component is beefed up....any worries about this as far as the frame goes?

I just finished re-welding my frame and smoothing it out. I found a crack and decided to take it back down and start over. I ground down and re-weld all the factory welds and also added some more welds to help. I used some filler to smooth out the areas so they have a cleaner look.

I had a guy quote be at $275 for powdercoating. Instead, I shot some self etching primer and then primed over it with gray primer yesterday. http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a312/almcbri/DSC00723.jpg

Update- I am about done welding up my subframe. I have completed the 'Guldstrand mod' and I also boxed in the front crossmember as well as the middle front to rear connector. Welded the inside of the front body mounts as well as the inside of the top control arm perch. Welding up the eroded/rusted areas of the body mounts and grinding back to flat now. I have some pictures and will get them posted up.

-Matt

I just finished re-welding my frame and smoothing it out. I found a crack and decided to take it back down and start over. I ground down and re-weld all the factory welds and also added some more welds to help. I used some filler to smooth out the areas so they have a cleaner look.

I had a guy quote be at $275 for powdercoating. Instead, I shot some self etching primer and then primed over it with gray primer yesterday. http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a312/almcbri/DSC00723.jpg

Nice looking subframe. Dupont etching primer is a favorite of mine also. I used it on my subframe then put some flattened Delstar enamel w/hardener on top of it.