Just welded the spohn subframe connectors onto the firebird. First off, I just want to say they make a whole world of difference. Just incredible.

Now, the bad news. The frame is tweaked enough the bolt holes on the subframe connectors didn't line up with the car---he put them in the right place and welded them down anyways.

However, I'm trying to figure out what to do... is that enough of a tweak that it will always cause me problems and I should ditch the car and find a new project? Or can a little bit of tweak be corrected? If so, how much does it cost?

Thanks ladies and gents.

 

should be fine the way it is. Keep in mind that the braket the bolt goes through is still just stamped steel. It could have been altered from lifting the car in the wrong spot. As long as the sub-frames are welded in while the car is as square as possible than you dont have anyhting to worry about.

If your putting down some serious HP's you may want to consider a cage for added strength. Especially if your t-toped on vert.

 

Thanks for the input.

I'm not putting down much horsepower now at all (not enough for it to twist the frame)... my problem is my steering. If you read one of my previous posts I've got a seroius issue with memory steer. Many people are thinking its because my frame is tweaked.

 

Didn't I ask you to get the frame checked out for trueness because you were having steering issues or was that someone else? I guess you have to either live with it or take it all out and have it straightened and then weld new ones in if you want it to be perfect.

 

Hehe, yes yes, it was me Aklim.

I need to make a mental note that whenever you give me advice, to drop all of my current **** and do it. It would've saved me a good chunk of time and money.

 

I guess you are going to have to live with it because it is stuck that way and you cannot and should not try pull it straight or something else might break.

 

besides the steering will it dink up anything else? If I ever put serious power behind it, will it cause me headaches in the future?

I was under the impression once a car's frame was tweaked, it would forever be a problem child and any money put into it would basically be wasted.

 

Depends on what is tweaked. My car would have the alignment perfect but the left wheel would rub on the rear of the wheelwell. Finally I took it to Grey Bahl and they told me that the frame was tweaked and the cradle was bent. They straightened out the frame till it was just right and the installed a new cradle. Now it doesn't rub and it is perfectly straight. I had to cut off the SFC to have Grey Bahl do their work and then I went to Alston SFC.

 

I had steering issues, despite having lowering springs, sub frames, strut tower brace, total body poly bushings, numerous alinements, and a rebuilt steer box. It was such a headache. A few days ago however, I just put on a wonder bar (made by Top Down Solutions), and almost ALL of my play/sloop is gone. Big difference. Sphon also make the same piece but they call it a steering brace. I highly recommend one. Easy install, effective, and cheap (~$50).
Try one before you get all crazy and get the frame staightened. Yes it could be bent, but it is very possible that it was the way the car was raised, or even a defect in the part itself. It does not sound all that bad based on your discription. Try easy and cheap solutions first before you bulldoze ahead of yourself. If not you just was alot of time, money, etc. that could be used else where. Been there done that. Something to think about. Anyway good luck solving the issuse/problem.

 

Yeah, already have the topdown solutions wonderbar. One of the upgrades in my slew of suspension modifications. I'm praying to god that when I replace my steering box the problem disappears. If not I'm going to be very very sad.

 

How did you lift the vehicle to have the subframes installed. Improper lifting can cause the vehicle to bow, which is the whole point of installing the subframes anyway. If any instructions come with Spohns SFCs, do they include the correct lifting technique, and did you follow it?

 

I had them professionally done, I didn't do them myself. I'm sure everything was done to par. The handling got considerably better, not the same or worse...so I'm pretty sure they were done properly