Sparkseverywher

I Like Spohn's Torque Arm and so had a look at their Subframe connectors. However I have generally read that Spohn's connectors don't create as rigid a frame as Hotchkis. The Spohn Connectors seem to connect to more points on the frame but I'm not sure that means much. Does anyone have any thoughts?

DJP87Z28

I have had the Spohn tube type SFC's since the design was changed from the square boxed ones. The tube type sets up high and are not visible. My car with them is better now then it was new...original owner. Good quality buy.

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (15)

spohns are better. period

you are supposed to stitch weld the spohn ones to the pinch rail too, and that creates a very tight chassis.

CaliChevyLover

yep, that's how mine are done, i love it. still some dash creaking over very large bumps and pulling into my very steep driveway at an angle....still 90% improvement

Gumby

Alston's are king

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (15)

they are nice ( i have them), but i would not call them king

DJP87Z28

Also they hang a little low and you may have ground clearance problems.

UnderCover89TBI

iTrader: (25)

I love my UMI subframe connectors.

Gumby

then you didn't install them right

If your griding on the bars over a bump, then your lower shock mount is gonna dig into it like a snow plow too. Lots of stuff that hangs lower then them.

If they are the lowest point under your car, something is off.....

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (15)

what? how can you install them wrong? they run under the floor, so technically, you loose some groudn clearance. but i have never bottomed out on them, and im sure you would hit other things first.

UMI Performance

Hello,

We offer a very nice set as well so I figured I would give you another option.

Our SFC's can be seen here- www.umiperformance.com/2400

Our SFC's bolt and weld into the rear control arm and weld in the front as well as the center subframe. If you do a search you will find some great results and feedback on our SFC's

Good luck with your decision and if I can help I will be glad too,
Ryan

DJP87Z28

UMI has the old style boxed vs the tube design of other vendors.

The Project

iTrader: (6)

Old style

Maybe the "old style" works best on our "old" cars

DIRTY JERZY

BMR
UMI
SPOHN

all make boxed sfc's

Tomcat65

checked prices between umi and spohn. both are $199.00 but spohn charges an extra $45.00 for red or black finish. umi does not. also looked at bmr. bmr is $199.00 also. no charge for finish. hotchkis's are $271.95. ground shipping is $38.-$47. just something to look at as i am pricing them myself.

DJP87Z28

Always room for improvement and the Tube Style is the way to go. But let me guess...Boxed rear LCA and the same for the Panhard bar or you still have the U-channel stock junk.

DIRTY JERZY

Also not all will fit stock exhaust or dual cat

The Project

iTrader: (6)

My suspension is ALL UMI...sfc, lcarb, lca's (round), panhard rod (on car), wonderbar, poly bushings, etc..

The Project

iTrader: (6)

True....the fix was minor to accomodate my dual cats.

If you get round cats (magnaflow), they fit without any modification needed!!

Guest

There are a lot more important reasons for the choice than round or square/rectangular. The only benefit of round in this particular use is round tubing does not care how/where the force is being applied to it, its going to react exactly the same. The stronger pieces are, quite simply, going to have more area of steel. Given the space restrictions where these are mounted... something other than round will have more steel in the same given space.

In the interest of hoping this doesnt degrade yet again into another pointless argument if you disagree... please search first.

tom86iroc

iTrader: (1)

i have the hotchkis ones and love them needed a little minor exhaust movement since it hit alittle near the cat that was it

cjh1505

just ordered umi sub frame connectors and rear lower control arms. i will post review after they are done. cant wait to get rid of the shake rattle and roll out of my t top iroc

cjh1505

ok just took a ride in my 86 cammy.my local body shop did the work for me.(i dont have a wielder or a good lift.)they installed my umi sfc and new lower control arms.i would say 90% of the rattles are gone. the car feels 100 times better when going over a series of bumps in a row(crappy long island roads).frame flex is gone.in the past if i hit a series of bumps at high speed the rear end would step out slightly which i would have to counter steer into.no more!!!!! now on to the rear control arms.in the past with a non posi rear if i mashed the gas on a tight turn the rear tire on the inside of the turn would lose traction and the smoke show began.....no more. mashed it and she bites hard! the whole car feels alot more stable.i cant compare them to any other brand so i dont know if they are the best or if there are better out there. i can say i love the difference in my cammy. hope this helps someone.

92 BBC Z

I use both round tube and square tube.

92 BBC Z

92 BBC Z

quick87formula

my entire car is spohn. the only thing h haven't done yet is the k frame and a-arms. i want to do then but just don't have the money. they make a great product. i never had a problem with them and other guys in my club are using spohn and love there stuff.

the only thing they don't make is a strut tower brace.(sucks)

gregsz-28

iTrader: (1)

No... the shock mounts are between the rear wheels, so they generally won't hit any bumps.

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (15)

exactly, and they are attached to the axle, so the distance from the shock mount to the road is always the same, it never changes.

that being said, if you bottom out on the alston/,mac SFC under driving conditions, excluding speedbumps, you are doing something wrong. for that matter, they should not hit speedbumps unless the k-members hits them too.

86blackiroc

iTrader: (12)

I have the square style Spohn on mine, I absolutely love them. They fit tight to the body and make a GREAT jacking point to lift the car. They have gotten a little crusty over the years though.

canadianT/A

iTrader: (1)

Has anyone tried the subframe connectors from Top Down Solutions? I have heard really good things about them and the way to they mount up. They are a weld in style. I know a couple local guys that ordered them and love them.

http://www.top-downsolutions.com/pro...s_id=90&page=2

Confuzed1

iTrader: (4)

I bought one of the last square sets from Spohn when he was changing over to the round style. I think all the brands will help a lot, and IMO one isn't a whole lot better than the other although some are lighter. Personally, I'd opt to get the weld-in style rather than the bolt-ons, because I think the bolt holes would oval themselves after a while...not sure since I've never had them though. I've heard you can weld those up too if you want.

I can tell you the square style I have on my car are for sure heavier than most any tube type, but they do make a great point to jack the car up...lol

I felt a difference as soon as I put them on. My T-Tops used to creak when I hit bumps and made a popping noise when I went up my driveway across the sidewalk. No creaks or pops anymore!

b4ccamaro

Spohn subframes are great but I had a bad customer service experience with them. So do your research before you buy cuz once they have your money, you will need a crowbar to get it back out of their hands.

hellz_wings

iTrader: (2)

I have MAC frame connectors which are essentially the same as TDS ones. They hang down a bit low though, but they do the job well. Amazing difference. I opted to put on a second set of perimeter style SFC's (SPOHN's) and now I have full braced the underbody frame.

yankeecarman

iTrader: (9)

I have the TDS ones also and they are great. I want to add Spohn to the perimeter also.

watajob

iTrader: (29)

Those are made by Alston.

https://www.secureway1.com/alston/in...?productID=196

RS Chris

Spohn for me. Love em. Like its been said, there all good and work in the same way.

hellz_wings

iTrader: (2)

That's not entirely true... There are the debates about 'square vs. tubular' style, as well as 'perimeter vs. inner frame rail'. These will provide different types of chassis re-inforcement, but they probably won't be noticed by the average daily driver. There is bracing that will reduce flex fore and aft (drag), and then there's lateral chassis bracing (road racing and handling). All connectors work 'good' and are better than without, that's for certain, but to say they are all the 'same' in functionality and strength simply isn't true.

Gallileo60

I have Hotchkis on my Car right now, and would NEVER buy them again...They are the hardest to weld of any connectors I have ever seen.The fit was really bad...On top of it all I had to cut, and shorten my EdelBrock Crossover in order for them to fit...Poor planning on my part, but Still.....

92Z

iTrader: (1)

I have Global West tubular on my car and i'm very happy with them.

dimented24x7

iTrader: (2)

I have the spohn ones. They work well, but you need to weld them to the pinch welds rather than the floor pan to get them to work properly. This ties the floor pan, front, and rear subframes together. Not easy, but the results where good. The car is no longer a soggy wet noodle over bumps and around turns.

dimented24x7

iTrader: (2)

The round ones do, too. Thats another great benifit. I can jack the entire side of the car up all at once.