DarkoNova
08-18-2008, 02:02 PM
I have a few questions about notching the front subframe. I did a quick search and found this thread...:
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20901&highlight=frame+notch
...which shows it can be done, but I just want to ask a few questions for peace of mind. A couple months ago I put the ATS tall spindles on, along with the Touring Classics brake kit. My old wheels wouldn't fit, and I found a hell of a deal on some BMW M3 wheels in the for sale section. At first I just thought I'd buy them and use them until I found some better wheels, but they've grown on me and I'd like to keep them.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/100_1039-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/100_1040-1.jpg
I believe they're 18x8 up front, with around 6" of backspacing. I ordered a 1.25" adapter from Skulte, but had to get an extra 1/4" spacer for each side because the tie rods hit the wheels. Anyway, the problem areas are obviously the frame (in front of and behind the control arms) and the inner fenders (big enough bumps cause the tires to lightly rub the fenders). I'm not too worried about the inner fenders, though, since I figure I can just get some sheets of flat aluminum and make custom inner fenders, similar to the Chassisworks ones.
Still, how hard is it to notch the frame? Would it detract from the structural integrity at all? I've never welded before, so would I be able to just cut some notches, drive it to a muffler shop and have them finish it for me? Or maybe I could rent a welder if it's cheap enough. In the link I posted, it looks like you basically cut a slit in the frame, push the metal in, and then get a small piece of metal and weld it in the open spot. Is that right? Should I maybe weld in some sort of bracing to keep the rigidity?
Sorry for all the noobish questions, I just want to do this safely and correctly, so any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Matt
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=20901&highlight=frame+notch
...which shows it can be done, but I just want to ask a few questions for peace of mind. A couple months ago I put the ATS tall spindles on, along with the Touring Classics brake kit. My old wheels wouldn't fit, and I found a hell of a deal on some BMW M3 wheels in the for sale section. At first I just thought I'd buy them and use them until I found some better wheels, but they've grown on me and I'd like to keep them.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/100_1039-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/06/100_1040-1.jpg
I believe they're 18x8 up front, with around 6" of backspacing. I ordered a 1.25" adapter from Skulte, but had to get an extra 1/4" spacer for each side because the tie rods hit the wheels. Anyway, the problem areas are obviously the frame (in front of and behind the control arms) and the inner fenders (big enough bumps cause the tires to lightly rub the fenders). I'm not too worried about the inner fenders, though, since I figure I can just get some sheets of flat aluminum and make custom inner fenders, similar to the Chassisworks ones.
Still, how hard is it to notch the frame? Would it detract from the structural integrity at all? I've never welded before, so would I be able to just cut some notches, drive it to a muffler shop and have them finish it for me? Or maybe I could rent a welder if it's cheap enough. In the link I posted, it looks like you basically cut a slit in the frame, push the metal in, and then get a small piece of metal and weld it in the open spot. Is that right? Should I maybe weld in some sort of bracing to keep the rigidity?
Sorry for all the noobish questions, I just want to do this safely and correctly, so any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Matt