WS6 Subframe

[F-Body International]

I have a stripped and slightly modified frame from a '78 WS6 Trans Am. The stock spring mounts have not been cut or modified. It is still set up for stock style springs but could be modified in the future if desired. I pretty much just bought this frame as an in-between while I was waiting for my PTFB frame to be built. This one will simply need to be sandblasted and painted to look pretty again.

Modifications include...
-Lab-14 lower control arm reinforcement plate kit (bolts included)
-Lab-14 upper control reinforcement plate welded on
-Lab-14 body mount reinforcement plates welded on
-Lab-14 sway bar plates welded on

$500

I apologize in advance if any work here is not the best. I don't want to pass this one off like it was TIG welded in a Nascar shop or something. I did the work here with my little MIG welder at home.

Pics from when I first started working on it.
Parts by Jonathon Randolph, on Flickr
Parts by Jonathon Randolph, on Flickr

Lab-14 body mount plates. This is one of the most common areas that stock 2nd gen frames have problems with rusting. This frame was good to start and this simply just makes it better.
Parts by Jonathon Randolph, on Flickr
Parts byJonathon Randolph, on Flickr

Lab-14 Sway bar mounts...
Parts by Jonathon Randolph, on Flickr
Parts by Jonathon Randolph, on Flickr


A little step-by-step of how I did the Lab-14 upper reinforcements.
Lab-14 upper control arm reinforcements by Jonathon Randolph, on Flickr
Lab-14 upper control arm reinforcements by Jonathon Randolph, on Flickr
Lab-14 upper control arm reinforcements by Jonathon Randolph, on Flickr
Lab-14 upper control arm reinforcements by Jonathon Randolph, on Flickr

[bigdaddychevelle]

Were are you located?

[F-Body International]

Were are you located?

Barrington, IL

[badazz81z28]

cool...Never seen the body mounts re-enforced like that befoew, but rather cancer cut out and replaced. Could affect the use of aftermarket aluminum bushings that are designed to engage each other. Are there specific bushings and longer hardware to accommodate? BTW this frame is a 75-81 F-body (Camaro and Firebird), not really specific to a WS6 TA.

[F-Body International]

cool...Never seen the body mounts re-enforced like that befoew, but rather cancer cut out and replaced. Could affect the use of aftermarket aluminum bushings that are designed to engage each other. Are there specific bushings and longer hardware to accommodate? BTW this frame is a 75-81 F-body (Camaro and Firebird), not really specific to a WS6 TA.

Thanks badazz,

Lab-14 makes a bunch of reinforcement parts for stock 2nd gen frames. Considering these cars ran 225 width tires and soft springs back in the day, they simply weren't designed for the parts we're installing today. Many people have problems like stripping out the stock sway bar mount threads, ovalized/cracked/ripped lower control arm mounts, or wallowed out upper control arm mounts. Addressing these issues us pro-touring guys see is the whole reason for Lab-14 chassis reinforcements.
https://www.lab-14.com/

In regards to what makes this a WS6 subframe. WS6 subframes received chassis reinforcements from the lower control arm to the frame and press fit sway bar mount inserts. Although not pictured, I do have the supports. Yes, I agree the frame is generally a 75-81 dimension frame but I have the matching WS6 control arm supports to go along with it. This makes it a improved-upon WS6 frame.

In regards to the bushings/bolts, you or anyone else should be fine using whatever you have. It doesn't change the thickness enough to require longer bolts or special bushings. The mount simply becomes stronger here.

[g-machine]

How were the body mount holes prior to you welding in the additional plates? It's rare to find one without pits from rusting.

[F-Body International]

How were the body mount holes prior to you welding in the additional plates? It's rare to find one without pits from rusting.

This one is actually good. If you look closely in the pictures, you can see they were thick to start. I actually mentioned that in my first post along with the picture of the reinforced body mount.

Jon