Subframe Connectors

[ArkansasMystic]

I want to buy some for my Cobra. The ONLY thing keeping me from it is that I can not find anyone to install them. Can someone suggest a good set of subframes and/or a place that would install them for me? Thanks.

[oxman]

If I'am not mistaken, I think "06vertmini" just did some not long ago, but i could be wrong? :?

[Bigjht]

I had full length subframe connectors from Maximum Motorsports on my 99 and they were awesome. I had a friend of mine that works at an exhaust shop install them for me and he stated they were the best set from a fit and design stand point he's ever put on a car. People bring him a lot of nice cars for custom exhaust work and installs such as these too so to me that comment from him really said something. Just my .02.

[ArkansasMystic]

Due to a little run of bad luck I won't be able to afford them for a little while, but definitely do want them. The car handles way better than anything I have driven, and if subframes are as good as I hear, I can't imagine how it will feel. If you guys find a place willing to do it let me know, I'll be more than happy to drive to have them installed.

[ArkansasMystic]

BTT, can anyone hook me up with a place to install these?

[1low03gt]

Make sure whom ever installs them,has the Cobra up in the air on its suspension,not on the chassis. ;)

[Blackout_03]

APE exhaust shop on keil in sherwood can.

[ArkansasMystic]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. Any idea on charge, I'm thinking ~$100 install?

[Blackout_03]

I was thinking @ 40.....not alot to do....just a few simple welds. I would also look the Maximum Motorsports FLSFC or the Steeda's

[06MUSTANGGT24V]

is that the same on a s197?

[ArkansasMystic]

I'll be getting the MMFLSFC powdercoated black. As found on americanmuscle,
"NOTE: 1996-98 Cobras will require modifications to the transmission crossmember mounting flanges. "
Not sure how much it will take, but I'm sure they would charge more for that.

[1low03gt]

I've noticed that with most subframe connecters "side notes" about the 96 to 98 Cobra's.Wonder why,and what makes them different then the rest of the stangs?

[ArkansasMystic]

Figured I'd bump this versus making a new thread. I was set on the MM connectors, but someone on another forum showed me some made by WMS. They are curved to follow the lines of the car so no clearance is lost. They are also made from round tubing vs. the square used with other connectors, suppose to be stronger. Also, no modification to the transmission cross member is required. Any thoughts?
http://www.wmsracing.com/pgi-ProductSpec?WMS-SFC94M
Thank you.

[04_S/C_GT]

Sounds good but ive never heard of the company so id be cautious.

[ArkansasMystic]

The guy that suggested them had them on his Mystic, loves them. He said his installer told him that they are much simpler to install than the MM ones, and should be stronger. My main concern is that while the round tubing is stronger, you won't have as big of a contact patch for the welds. MM is a solid product, tons of great reviews, plus cheaper, but cutting the cross member concerns me, not sure how strong it will be after that.

[1low03gt]

Sounds good but ive never heard of the company so id be cautious.
They are a company out west here in Canada.A lot of Canadians deal with WMS,and they have a good rep.So all should be good!
They look like a nice set of sbc's.

[Joey5.4]

when you get ready I will help you if you want to drive to Star City. By the way you can get bolt in subframe connectors that are just as good as weld in. I have BBK connectors, they can be welded or bolted. I welded mine in because my car had been wrecked before I bought it and the drivers side floor pan and fram rail was bent up and it wouldnt fit good enough to bolt it in.

[ArkansasMystic]

I've heard bad about bolt in. They say the holes wear over time and then become loose, so it doesn't really benefit you. IDK, that's just what I've heard. Do you have all the stuff needed to weld them in (i.e. lift)? Thanks!

[Joey5.4]

you dont have to have a lift, just long as you have jackstands all 4 corners with suspension loaded.
but as far as bolt in connectors, we got a 600hp full body mustang with transbrake that pulls front tires with a set of bolt ons that have been on the car for atleast 10 years and have never had a problem with them. oh and that 600hp is all motor, that dont include the couple times it has been sprayed... its not a daily driver but alot street miles and thousands of launches so i dont see where they can go wrong. if anyone ever had problems out of the its probably because the were installed wrong.

[ArkansasMystic]

Hm, I'm not sure. I'm still considering either the MM or WMS weld in's, just gotta decide if I want them or new tires/wheels. Would you be able to do the weld ins?

[Joey5.4]

I can... but it may look,may not lol. If you decide to get them, I have a few buddies that weld for a living so if you want me to help i'd call one of them, it will look better. Or to save you a drive, and to have them welded in, go to Sherwood Performance, Randy does some of the best welding I've seen and something simple like that he wouldnt charge much.

[ArkansasMystic]

OK. I'm still trying to decide on them, but I may try having them installed in Sherwood. I'm down in souther AR about once a month, atleast every other month, to see famliy (Kelso, McGehee area), so the drive wouldn't be a huge deal. Either way, thanks for the offer!

[ArkansasMystic]

Would you guys recommend getting bare steel then painting with with rustolem or to go ahead and get the powdercoated black ones?

[Joey5.4]

Yea am not far from mcghee at all. But unless you are running sticky tires, and making some pretty good hp subframe connectors are a waist of money. All they do is keep the chassis from tewisting on launch. as far as handling I couldnt tell any difference. kinda make it ride just a hair rougher, but not anything drastics. as far as handling, I believe the road race style have more bracing than just the straight drag style.

[Joey5.4]

Would you guys recommend getting bare steel then painting with with rustolem or to go ahead and get the powdercoated black ones?
my powder coat is chiping off where we welded them. if you use bare metal, go to a body shop and see if they can get you some some spray paint to painte newly welded surface, it will las longer than rustolem and wont rust through.

[ArkansasMystic]

That makes me wanna skip them to go for some LCA's or my wheel/tire setup (can't freaking decide on wheels though). I've got money burning a hole in my pocket, but at the same time don't wanna waste it. Thanks.

[Bigjht]

I got the bare and then used the undercoating on them. Worked well.

[04_S/C_GT]

Im with joey on this one. Your frame twisting should be the last thing on ur mind at this point unless ur planning adding spray or a blower in the near future. U dont make enough power right now to twist the frame so what u should be doing is getting what power u do have to the ground.Just my .02.

[ArkansasMystic]

Wow, this is the first I've heard of this. I believe I'll set the money back for my wheel fund, now only to decide which ones to get. Thanks everyone, glad you guys chipped in and saved me from wasting $200-$300.

[backfocus]

I have heard from people that have owned the different years of mustangs, foxs thru the newer, that the newer, meaning 99+ are stiffer from the factory. Mainly due to differences in technology of the metal stamping and welding processes, along with suspension improvements. I don't know this personally, since I have only owned a 67 and a fox body, but seems logical.

I know that it helped mine when I put them on the 90, just a slightly stiffer feel on hard accels and launches. Bolt or weld-in I would buy either, but weld them in anyway, I prefer the weld-in they have more points that lock to the car. I have seen bolt-ons widen out the holes and come loose, but it could have been from poor installation, IE... holes drilled to big to begin with.

Just don't think of sub frames as a performance mod, consider them piece of mind, that it did help, especially for future mods.

Plus if you do need them installed I would also recommend the guys in Sherwood. I live right up by there and they have done some small work on my other cars and seem to be good people and know there stuff.

[ArkansasMystic]

I'm a college student, trying a low budget build. I'm planning on doing stuff as I go. Something like this that will not have immediate effect, but rather just setting up for the future, can wait.

[06invertmini]

ive got cheap ones off ebay and they work just fine. could deff tell a diff once they were put on. And on top of that they are thing gauge steel to not really thick at all. i painted over mine once they were welded on.