PA Racing lightweight front subframe - first gen

[cornfedbill]

Just looking for some opinions on this concept. I realize it has some drawbacks for a PT car, but feel it still has some merit. It is very light.

Let me know what you think.

http://www.paracing.com/racingstore/product_info.php?cPath=22_43&products_id=243

[cornfedbill]

Any opinions?

[astroracer]

Any opinions?

Yup, probably great for a drag car but way to light for a car that will see any amount of corner carving or heavy street use. The bolt on upper bars look scary to me and there is absolutely no lateral support for the lower tubes forward of the body mounts. The lower tubes will probably start to fold right at the body mount bracket after a couple of hard laps on a road course. If the mid-plate attachments were a lot beefier I would say use the engine/trans as a stressed member but they are really small also. That would also require solid mounts which, for a race car are proper but for a street car are very uncomfortable
Adding structure to the front fenders to help carry the cornering load may help but now you are adding weight back into the car in all the wrong places.
Mark

[19,69camaro]

Look at the size of that steering shaft! That plus wide sticky tire = you going off a cliff in a ball of fire. So ok maybe that is a bit much, but that wouldn't be my first choice

[Bryce]

looks like a drag race subframe.

[cornfedbill]

Thanks for your input. I have been considering implementing some parts of this design, but am still not quite sure.

It is definitely drag race only stuff. I wonder if there is a happy medium between what most PT cars run and this design.

Maybe proper triangulation and bracing?

[Todd in Vancouver]

When I look at it compared to my TCI then yes I agree with above statements that is looks a bit lite for corner carving but it would make an awesome drag race set-up. As far as securing it I would get someone who is more knowledgable on building these before I would install and try bracing it. If you go hauling through a corner and it breaks you could end up in a world of hurt so maybe better to sell it to a drag race guy and get something purpose built for corners. JMHO.

[99 blue bird]

That looks identical to the SRD front subframe I was extremely interested in purchasing. I myself would love to go that way on my pro touring build but I got the same response from everyone, that it would not hold up to aggressive street driving. So at this point I'm almost considering not building a pro touring car so I can use a simular subframe. Too many damn decisions when building a car. I almost just need 3 cars so I can have one that fits everything I want out of a car. Lol. Good luck with your first gen.

[ryanleiker]

Anyone actually try this subframe and built it up for cornering?
Also, being a "drag race" intended subframe, has anyone derived a way to implement a sway bar into the design?

[OG_Racing]

Anyone actually try this subframe and built it up for cornering?
Also, being a "drag race" intended subframe, has anyone derived a way to implement a sway bar into the design?

i would be a little more worried if the susp geometry is correct for turning! i wouldn't assume you would want much camber gain in a drag car.

if you're looking for a DIY set up check out howe racing subframe. it's intended for a stock car, but stock cars share allot of components with PT cars.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://www.howeracing.com/p-7861-rt-road-race.aspx

[Carl @ Chassisworks]

That front end uses a pinto rack, coil springs and fabricated a-arms. It's designed for drag racing. It's similar in concept to our 4130 bolt-on strut front end. I wouldn't consider a piece like this for daily driving, let alone rigorous cornering.

For saving weight, look to a better built STREET oriented frame. Our street and handling clip is here: http://www.cachassisworks.com/Attachments/DataSheets/7701_DS_WEB.pdf

Our drag race version: http://www.cachassisworks.com/cac_press_7705.html With all the suspension and brakes it's 130 pounds.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/07/7705_AT-1.jpg

[cornfedbill]

That front end uses a pinto rack, coil springs and fabricated a-arms. It's designed for drag racing. It's similar in concept to our 4130 bolt-on strut front end. I wouldn't consider a piece like this for daily driving, let alone rigorous cornering.

For saving weight, look to a better built STREET oriented frame. Our street and handling clip is here: http://www.cachassisworks.com/Attachments/DataSheets/7701_DS_WEB.pdf

Our drag race version: http://www.cachassisworks.com/cac_press_7705.html With all the suspension and brakes it's 130 pounds.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2014/07/7705_AT-1.jpg

You sure have a nice selection of subframe assemblies. I notice there is not much supporting the drag race version in the photo. Are there struts to tie it into the firewall?

[Carl @ Chassisworks]

You sure have a nice selection of subframe assemblies. I notice there is not much supporting the drag race version in the photo. Are there struts to tie it into the firewall?

Thanks! Yes, the top of the strut towers are tied into the existing roll cage.