Jeremy
11-26-2006, 01:41 PM
After some trial and error as well as searching the available designs I have come up with a chassis brace that took all of the flex out of my car. The first edition is a piece of 1 inch tube running from side to side where the subframe meets the subframe connectors. It also has some angle braces running fore and aft. It is currently welded in but it is too low.
I have a design that will be 1/4 inch lower than the subframe connectors and still go from side to side. It is a combination of the factory bracing on a first gen convertible and the g brace made for early Mustangs.
My question to those that want to chime in, should I make the center section bolt in, like the first gen f body's or make it one solid, welded in piece as I originally planned. I have checked and there is nothing that the 14 inch by 14 inch center section will be in the way of for servicing. The only potential problem is that I won't be able to drop the exhaust as it will hit. If exhaust needs servicing I will have to put a joint somewhere in between the down pipes and the end of the subframe.
If I make the center section removable, it will add some fabrication time and some minor expense. The mounting bolts will also be a potential source of flex.
I am wanting opinions as to wether it is worth it. If I weld it in solid, the exhaust will be have to be threaded in from rear to front versus up and down if it is removable. This is if I want to maintain one piece from the down pipes to the mufflers. If I cut the pipes and add a joint, then it really is not a problem.
Let me know what you think. I hope to finish cutting the pieces to length tomorrow and dropping everything off at the welders.
I'll post pics as I get things built. While this may not be for everyone, for those that don't want to stay stock, it will do wonders for you chassis rigidity. The current one, which is no where as beefy as the final one I plan to build, already got rid of all my squeaks and rattles. The dash no longer creaks when going over driveway cuts. Bumps are completely soaked up by the suspension now and the car rides really soft with the ws6 springs.
I have a design that will be 1/4 inch lower than the subframe connectors and still go from side to side. It is a combination of the factory bracing on a first gen convertible and the g brace made for early Mustangs.
My question to those that want to chime in, should I make the center section bolt in, like the first gen f body's or make it one solid, welded in piece as I originally planned. I have checked and there is nothing that the 14 inch by 14 inch center section will be in the way of for servicing. The only potential problem is that I won't be able to drop the exhaust as it will hit. If exhaust needs servicing I will have to put a joint somewhere in between the down pipes and the end of the subframe.
If I make the center section removable, it will add some fabrication time and some minor expense. The mounting bolts will also be a potential source of flex.
I am wanting opinions as to wether it is worth it. If I weld it in solid, the exhaust will be have to be threaded in from rear to front versus up and down if it is removable. This is if I want to maintain one piece from the down pipes to the mufflers. If I cut the pipes and add a joint, then it really is not a problem.
Let me know what you think. I hope to finish cutting the pieces to length tomorrow and dropping everything off at the welders.
I'll post pics as I get things built. While this may not be for everyone, for those that don't want to stay stock, it will do wonders for you chassis rigidity. The current one, which is no where as beefy as the final one I plan to build, already got rid of all my squeaks and rattles. The dash no longer creaks when going over driveway cuts. Bumps are completely soaked up by the suspension now and the car rides really soft with the ws6 springs.