subframes on a convertible

stanger8172 · 02-05-2002, 02:50 PM

My g/f's cousin is learning to be a technician at this tech school. He has had alot of (Ford) cars and he seems to know his stuff. He still has a '70 Mach 1 and 2 other project cars in his garage but anyhoo........He says, my convertible isn't making enough power to need subframes even when I install my 3:55's. Is it? I think I will need them besides wanting to stiffen up the chassis. I only have about 280 hp.

Dark_5.0 · 02-05-2002, 04:39 PM

I think your making more like 250 HP.....but, how much horsepower you have has nothing to do with weather or not you need subframes any convertible needs sub-frames to get the power you do have to the ground.

stanger8172 · 02-05-2002, 04:55 PM

250 hp? I also have ported/polished/milled .030 E7 heads, stainless 1.94/1.60 valves,K&N panel, 13*timing, & FMS 9mm wires.

Do the subs help the launch then since they help get power to the ground? I thought they just stiffened up the chassis so the car won't flex when you are goosin it.

stanger8172 · 02-05-2002, 04:57 PM

...I also have a/c eliminator kit and removed smog pump.

Dark_5.0 · 02-05-2002, 05:07 PM

Well its not in your sig. and i am not psychic

j/k.......Yes they help with the launch quite a bit......instead of the frame twisting and giving most of the traction to the right rear tire the car stays stiff and straight and plants both rear tires to the pavement.

They make a world of difference...On a vert

Tim89LXvert · 02-05-2002, 09:22 PM

Regardless of the power you are making, all convertibles will work better with good subframe connectors. The fox convertibles are way flexy without the top, and the factory reinforcements are a joke.

I would HIGHLY recommend the Maximum Motorsports full length convertible subs. They are a bigger pain to install, but well worth it. They help your suspension really work. They require alot more welding, but if you know someone who can do it for you as a favor that will help alot.

We installed some Kenny Brown subs on my buddy's 93 GT convertible, and they were nowhere as beefy as the MM ones.

stanger8172 · 02-05-2002, 09:57 PM

LOL, Dark_5.0,

Thanx guys, the MM full lengths sound great. Looks like I am getting some as soon as Uncle Sam sends my check.

02-08-2002, 05:33 PM

I just had subframe conectors welded in yesterday on my vert at Turbo Rx in Chandler Az. They molded very nicely to the bottom of pan without creating any ground clearance problems. The biggest difference is when going over bumps and road cracks, the car doen't feel like a tired mattress any more. It recovers more crisply. Still has cowl shudder, but I didn't think they would fix that.

These should be a good foundation for the rest of my suspension plan.

Dark Knight · 02-08-2002, 07:25 PM

I had mine done there too ;-)
another AZ stanger, huh? cool

AJSTANG · 02-08-2002, 07:32 PM

The subframes will stiffen up the chassis and help with the launch. I had the MAC style tubular installed. The factory gussets are in the way and had to be repositioned.

02-05-2002, 02:50 PM	#1
stanger8172 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Milwaukee,Wisconsin Posts: 380	subframes on a convertible My g/f's cousin is learning to be a technician at this tech school. He has had alot of (Ford) cars and he seems to know his stuff. He still has a '70 Mach 1 and 2 other project cars in his garage but anyhoo........He says, my convertible isn't making enough power to need subframes even when I install my 3:55's. Is it? I think I will need them besides wanting to stiffen up the chassis. I only have about 280 hp. __________________ '91 LX convertible , T-5, Centerforce Dual Friction, MSD Blaster Coil, FR 9MM wires, 13* timing, 1.6rr, ported/polished/milled stock heads, 1.94/1.60 stainless valves, March Performance Pulleys, K&N panel, 1"spacer, BBK shorties, 2 1/2" off road H, Summit 2 1/2" catback

02-05-2002, 04:39 PM	#2
Dark_5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Staging lane Posts: 4,337	I think your making more like 250 HP.....but, how much horsepower you have has nothing to do with weather or not you need subframes any convertible needs sub-frames to get the power you do have to the ground. __________________ 92' LX-Big brakes, Lots and lots of suspension, GT40X heads, Ported cobra intake, stock cam, Vortech SC trim. 00' Lightning-Stock 88'CRX-13 second ego killer

02-05-2002, 04:55 PM	#3
stanger8172 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Milwaukee,Wisconsin Posts: 380	250 hp? I also have ported/polished/milled .030 E7 heads, stainless 1.94/1.60 valves,K&N panel, 13timing, & FMS 9mm wires. Do the subs help the launch then since they help get power to the ground? I thought they just stiffened up the chassis so the car won't flex when you are goosin it. __________________ '91 LX convertible , T-5, Centerforce Dual Friction, MSD Blaster Coil, FR 9MM wires, 13 timing, 1.6rr, ported/polished/milled stock heads, 1.94/1.60 stainless valves, March Performance Pulleys, K&N panel, 1"spacer, BBK shorties, 2 1/2" off road H, Summit 2 1/2" catback

02-05-2002, 04:57 PM	#4
stanger8172 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Milwaukee,Wisconsin Posts: 380	...I also have a/c eliminator kit and removed smog pump. __________________ '91 LX convertible , T-5, Centerforce Dual Friction, MSD Blaster Coil, FR 9MM wires, 13* timing, 1.6rr, ported/polished/milled stock heads, 1.94/1.60 stainless valves, March Performance Pulleys, K&N panel, 1"spacer, BBK shorties, 2 1/2" off road H, Summit 2 1/2" catback

02-05-2002, 05:07 PM	#5
Dark_5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Staging lane Posts: 4,337	Well its not in your sig. and i am not psychic j/k.......Yes they help with the launch quite a bit......instead of the frame twisting and giving most of the traction to the right rear tire the car stays stiff and straight and plants both rear tires to the pavement. They make a world of difference...On a vert __________________ 92' LX-Big brakes, Lots and lots of suspension, GT40X heads, Ported cobra intake, stock cam, Vortech SC trim. 00' Lightning-Stock 88'CRX-13 second ego killer

02-05-2002, 09:22 PM	#6
Tim89LXvert Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Toledo, Ohio, USA Posts: 269	Regardless of the power you are making, all convertibles will work better with good subframe connectors. The fox convertibles are way flexy without the top, and the factory reinforcements are a joke. I would HIGHLY recommend the Maximum Motorsports full length convertible subs. They are a bigger pain to install, but well worth it. They help your suspension really work. They require alot more welding, but if you know someone who can do it for you as a favor that will help alot. We installed some Kenny Brown subs on my buddy's 93 GT convertible, and they were nowhere as beefy as the MM ones. __________________ 1989 LX Convertible, blue with white top and leather, 5 speed. Engine: GT40 al. heads, Cobra intake, TFS cam, 1.7RR, etc.... LOLDrivetrain: SPEC II clutch & FMS Billet flywheel, Pro 5.0 shifter w/Cobra knob and aluminum driveshaft through 3.73:1 gears.Chassis: 4 wheel disk w/Cobra front brakes, GT rears and 2001 "Bullitt" wheels Rear: MM adjustable LCAs with Griggs springs, KYB shocks. Front: Koni red struts, FMS "C" springs and full poly bushings. Full length MM sub frame connectors, steeda 2pt. K-brace.Misc.: 130a alt. upgrade, R134a conversion. Photos of my car

02-05-2002, 09:57 PM	#7
stanger8172 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Milwaukee,Wisconsin Posts: 380	LOL, Dark_5.0, Thanx guys, the MM full lengths sound great. Looks like I am getting some as soon as Uncle Sam sends my check. __________________ '91 LX convertible , T-5, Centerforce Dual Friction, MSD Blaster Coil, FR 9MM wires, 13* timing, 1.6rr, ported/polished/milled stock heads, 1.94/1.60 stainless valves, March Performance Pulleys, K&N panel, 1"spacer, BBK shorties, 2 1/2" off road H, Summit 2 1/2" catback

02-08-2002, 05:33 PM	#8
5000Man Guest Posts: n/a	I just had subframe conectors welded in yesterday on my vert at Turbo Rx in Chandler Az. They molded very nicely to the bottom of pan without creating any ground clearance problems. The biggest difference is when going over bumps and road cracks, the car doen't feel like a tired mattress any more. It recovers more crisply. Still has cowl shudder, but I didn't think they would fix that. These should be a good foundation for the rest of my suspension plan.

02-08-2002, 07:25 PM	#9
Dark Knight Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Az Posts: 854	I had mine done there too ;-) another AZ stanger, huh? cool __________________ 84 convt,roller 302,AFR's, performer 3.55's, underdrives BBK shorties stock cam, 1.7's 13.58@102.84 and a '68 stang .. project 8 sec street car... 557 big block + N20 :-) http://members.cox.net/darkknight302/68nwrear.jpg

02-08-2002, 07:32 PM	#10
AJSTANG Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Maryland Posts: 123	The subframes will stiffen up the chassis and help with the launch. I had the MAC style tubular installed. The factory gussets are in the way and had to be repositioned. __________________ '91 Notchback TFS Heads(stage 2), B-451 Cam, V2-Si trim, TKO-600

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