If you have or want a Lateral Dynamics subframe, you may want to read this!

[Jimmy Sean]

I purchased mine last year in Feb, it was delivered in June. It was the 5th one built. I was told it would be a 6-8 week build, none the less I did get it and all the parts. I've experienced a number of issues.

First was the engine mounts didn't line up. Easy enough to deal with. Then there was the fact that the body mounts didn't line up, they were off an inch rearward. I hogged the mount out and was able to line it up to were it didn't bother me visually. The transmission crossmember mounting holes didn't line up with the subframe. And the big one was and the one that just happened was the upper control arm mount bent and then failed. In my opinion the mount bent because of the upper shock mount bending the plate into the cross shaft of the control arm, which then increased the leverage on the thin portion of the shock mount and it broke. The passenger side was worse than the drivers side. I suspect that my car was the first one on the road with this subframe.


The motor mounts.


The body mounts


Transmission Crossmember




The mount failure

[dhutton]

Hopefully Mark is going to make it right.

Don

[eville]

Do you talk to LD before you started making these mods? Curious their take on this.

[Jimmy Sean]

Do you talk to LD before you started making these mods? Curious their take on this.

Yes, I have been in contact with him up until this last issue and have gotten no response as of yet on that but here are the responses to the others.

LD response to the body mounts was "At first thought, no, I can't think of why it would be an inch off. When you say that there isn't room to move the sub forward an inch, do you mean because of the body bushings, or? In other words, what is limiting the movement of the frame relative to the body? Sean, I have to admit I can't provide an answer. I see the interference clearly in the pictures. It looks like both pictures are of the rear mounts, correct? Do you have any clearance issues with the mid-body bushings as well? I don't have my frame mocked up in my car but will in a few days to see if I can see the same thing. It looks like you have the Global West interlocking style body bushings? I have never worked on a Firebird, but I have NEVER heard of any differences that could account for that so we should assume it is not the car body."
I replied with "The black bushing is the rear and the blue is the mid and yes they are global west. I elongated the mounting holes and moved it until the mid bushing was against the box. Still not 108” but 107.75”. Actually the Firebird wheel base is 108.1” and the Camaro is an even 108”. Go figure. The wheel is centered visually and I’m okay with that. "

LD Response "Okay got it. That was exactly what I was going to suggest to deal with the situation, so great recovery, great job. I am truly sorry, I will get to the bottom of it. "

I never heard anything else from him on it.


LD Response to the Engine Mounts "Thanks for the note, I will make a change to the engine mount tube going forward as it looks like i am off by 1/8""

LD response to the crossmember "I am scratching my head for the small but important differences you are seeing relative to the frame I have at my place for my car. I made them at the same time, four crossmembers too and checked them all out. I am really sorry for the inconvenience."

[dhutton]

I saw on Instagram he was moving to San Diego in February. Not sure if he was going to continue with Lateral Dynamics or not. Nothing posted since then.

Don

[streetk14]

Ouch. I had a similar issue with UCA mounts breaking on an old Wayne Due C5 subframe. After that, I had an Art Morrison C6 subframe that I suspect was on its way to breaking in the same place. I sold that car, so never found out if it had a problem, but the powder coat was chipping off at the weld. Not a good sign.

If I ever do another aftermarket subframe, I think I’ll be going with DSE. Seems like their engineering and build quality are well sorted.

[Jimmy Sean]

Either Detroit speed or Speedtech would be great options. I know a few guys with each that race and none have had issue to my knowledge.