I am looking forward to the new first gen Camaro convertible sub frame connector Hotchkis Performance is coming out with in January of 2006. It looks promising. All they need to do is make one that does not require floor cutting and has a low profile so you can’t see it sticking out from underneath the car. It looks like they may have done it.

I may have to take off my Global West connectors and sell them on eBay before these when they come out.

They don’t have a price yet but they do have this graphic up. I am going to guess they will be in the $200 to $250 price range.


http://www.hotchkis.net/bin/images/products/cad/4008_lg.jpg

Wow that does look good might be a coupla used pairs on eBay. How are your custom convertable rear interior panels comming?

Bolt in or Weld in? Looks like a bolt in

They are still going to stick out a lot underneath! Has to go top the side where the brake/gas lines go. Someone did a custom one and you couldn't see it at all.

This one may be low profile enough not to be seen or noticed. My first 69 convertible had custom connectors welded in and you could not see them. They look close to the Hotchkis ones.

They do look bolt in but all bolt in ones can be welded in.

I think the custom connector you wrote about is on my web site: http://www.ragersworld.com/subframeconnectors.htm

musclecarmadness,
I wish I had the time to build the interior parts. With two young kids it has been hard spending any time on the Camaro. I also bought a new F250 Super Duty diesel truck and have been spending my money upgrading it. (I would have bought the Chevy truck but the Ford is just a nicer truck).

http://www.hotchkis.net/bin/images/products/4008_lg.jpg

http://www.hotchkis.net/cgi-bin/EDCstore.pl?user_action=detail&catalogno=4008

Looks like it is in stock and looks nice. I think I'll be buying a pair soon.

You guys are great!

So, has anyone tried these yet and if so how did they work out?

Kevin

I used Comp Eng. subframes for the coupe and welded both ends, cut a notch in the body cross member and fit them up into the notch then welded that together. Amazing difference in ride.

Hmm this looks like what I've waiting for. Somebody buy a pair and give a report.

Well I ordered a pair and their new X brace I was told it would be about 2 weeks. Will let you know, the painfull part is cutting out my old GW's as they weld in the back. Will let you know.

Well I ordered a pair and their new X brace I was told it would be about 2 weeks. Will let you know, the painfull part is cutting out my old GW's as they weld in the back. Will let you know.
Yes, please keep us posted. How about some installation, in detail, series of pictures. I really believe this is what I am looking for.
Thanks for the input MStennes.

Will do,
Mike

Good luck Mike.

I just cut one of my Global West connectors out over the weekend and what a pain in the %$*&!!

What made it worse is grinding down the welds left behind after I removed the connector. It just takes alot of time. My connectors were welded in all the way around so it took alot to remove them.

I took one out to fix a problem with my leaf springs. I am trying to make up my mind if I should cut the other one out and replace them with the Hotchkis connectors or save $300 and put it back in.

Thanks for being the guinea pig on this Mike. I'm sure a lot of us will be using your experience with these connectors to make a decision. Were you missing the X-brace, or do you need to use theirs with the connectors?

Kevin

No I have mine I just figured what the hell at this point plus it looks cool. Gotta have the cool factor. What pisses me off is somewhere down the road someone stripped one of the mounts out and they retapped it a size bigger, so I'm thinking about taking them all up to the next size 1/2" I think, been a while. Plus I like the idea of having more room for the exhaust without having to shimm the x pan down. Mine is so tucked now it gets a little warm.

I also have the Hotchkis X-Brace and convertible subframe connectors on order. I'll be sure to post some pic's once I have the pieces installed...

Looks like three of us can compare notes. I ordered my connectors and x-brace through Jegs on 3/30. They supposed to ship 5/1.

Any pictures yet? This seems like a great solution to our flexing problem!

I just ordered mine too. Bad news is that Hotchkis said 30 days to ship!

I got my sub connectors yesterday, but the x pan has not shown up yet. I'll shoot a few pictures tonight. I still have not figured out how to post a picture so I don't know how I'll post them.
Mike

I am still waiting! Let]s get those pictures!

My X brace shipped yesterday, still no firm date on the subframe connectors. I guess that it is such low volume stuff that it is not high on the production schedule.

Any progress?

Update, one of my guys at the shop told me it was the connectors that came but it was the X-pan. It sure looks allot better than the stocker actually looks real good! I hope the connectors come soon and if their like the X-pan they will be excellent. I can shoot pictures and have another member here who offered to post them if interested.

Just got the X brace I ordered from Hotchkis. It took about a week to get here and looks real good. http://image55.webshots.com/155/1/74/48/2772174480054815621RtcdMc_ph.jpg

Any install pictures?

Ditto!! Need To Get My Pic Fix!!

Summits shipping the frame connectors, got mine yesterday.

I had the opportunity to install a hardtop set this past week. The product is first rate and the install is VERY straight forward. I would definitly make sure your sub-frame mounts are in good shape. Looking at the side profile, they DO NOT hang any lower than the factory sub-frame. They will have to be spot welded on the uni-body just toward the center of the car by the front leaf spring mount. The kit includes a pair of urethane mounts to be installed at the rear of the front sub-frame and the bolts to sucure the subframe connector to the rear of the front sub-frame. The parts are also powdercoated in gloss black.

Cris

GOT PICS??? Not that people wouldnt take your word for it but this seems to be one of the hottest topics for the Convertible first gens so ANY PICS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!

Still no pictures.. laa,laa,laa laa,laa

I finally got my connectors but have not had time to deal with them, after rereading JRagers post on removing his old GW's I'm thinking of saving the install for this winter. Maybe not once I put it up on the lift I'll see. I welded mine in like he did and well maybe the Xbrace will be all I'll do. I will shoot some pictures though here this weekend.

X-brace is in.. see sig for pics. Fit nice, no tweeking needed.

Nice! I talked to Flowmaster and Hotchkis the same day. Flowmaster said Hotchkis built the design around the Flowmaster 2 1/2 system. Called Hotchkis and they told me the same thing. Proof is in the pictures. Looks like it will fit just fine and look good too! Thanks

I can post pics but you won't see the X brace. My 700R4 pan sits the lowest, then the headers, followed by the frame connects, the X brace isn't even close. la,la,la.

Tomorrow should be a good weather day I'll lie on my side and shoot a couple of ground shots but you still won't see the X brace below my connectors

Installed the Hotchkis Subframe connectors yesterday. It took about an hour and half, but the car was up on a rack, not on jackstands, a little easier to get to things on the rack. The directions for installation tell you to pull the rear leaf spring pockets to gain access for welding the rear after you tack it. Didn't do that, if you can mig weld, you can get to it. Also welded a few good tacks on the H frame and drilled and bolted to the front sub frame (you can weld the front instead if you want). Nice fit and pretty straight forward installation. Plenty of ground clearance and clearance for the brake and fuel lines under the connectors. Didn't have to move anything. Hotchkis supplies all the parts along with new hard polly bushings where the connectors mount up to the front sub. Stiffended the car up quite a bit. The interior lights don't come on anymore when i nail the throttle. No installation pic's though, wouldn't know how to link them anyway.

Please post some pictures of the subframe connectors, the old units for the coupe just do not work on the vert! We vert owners really want something that really works!
Where are you located here in CA?

How does the front connect around the body bushing?