Alston Inner Subframe and Spohn Perimeter Subframe Connectors Suspension Modification
#1
Alston Inner Subframe and Spohn Perimeter Subframe Connectors Suspension Modification
So excited! In the morning, I'm having a set of Alston inner and Spohn Perimeter Subframe connectors installed (welded of course) on my 92 TA vert tomorrow! I am also having some Lakewood boxed lower control arms and an Energy Suspension polyurethane torque arm bushing installed at the same time.
I have already installed Tokico Blue HP struts and shocks, new strut tower mounts, Hawks 17x9 GTA wheels with 275/40/17 BFG Comp Sport II's at all 4 corners, a wonderbar, a Lakewood adjustable pan hard rod, 1LE front and rear end links with my factory WS6 sway bars and front and rear energy suspension polyurethane front and rear sway bar bushings with greasable fittings.
What do you all think my car will handle like after tomorrow??
My final round of the suspension restoration/upgrade to my car after tomorrow will involve installing a set of energy suspension polyurethane front lower control arm bushings and a complete Moog front end rebuild kit (with ball joints). Anything else I should do?
I have already installed Tokico Blue HP struts and shocks, new strut tower mounts, Hawks 17x9 GTA wheels with 275/40/17 BFG Comp Sport II's at all 4 corners, a wonderbar, a Lakewood adjustable pan hard rod, 1LE front and rear end links with my factory WS6 sway bars and front and rear energy suspension polyurethane front and rear sway bar bushings with greasable fittings.
What do you all think my car will handle like after tomorrow??
My final round of the suspension restoration/upgrade to my car after tomorrow will involve installing a set of energy suspension polyurethane front lower control arm bushings and a complete Moog front end rebuild kit (with ball joints). Anything else I should do?
#2
Re: Alston Inner Subframe and Spohn Perimeter Subframe Connectors Suspension Modifica
So I had my Alston inner subframe connectors welded in, my spohn outer Subframe connectors welded in with the y bars tied in (welded) from the subframe bar to the front Subframe, installed an energy suspension torque arm bushing and installed Lakewood rear lower control arms! It took about 3 hours to do this job. The car drives like a completely different vehicle now. It feels so much more rigid and solid, especially going over speed bumps and in and out of driveways. Almost no flex at all!
This setup, along with the Tokico HP's, Hawks 17x9's with 275/40/17's, new strut tower mounts, Iroc Wonderbar, NOS rear bump stops, Lakewood adjustable pan hard rod, 1LE front and rear end links and Energy Suspension front and rear sway bar bushings have really transformed the handling and ride quality of my vert. Honestly. It drives like a completely different car.
Can't wait for phase 3 (front end rebuild and performance braking system)!!
This setup, along with the Tokico HP's, Hawks 17x9's with 275/40/17's, new strut tower mounts, Iroc Wonderbar, NOS rear bump stops, Lakewood adjustable pan hard rod, 1LE front and rear end links and Energy Suspension front and rear sway bar bushings have really transformed the handling and ride quality of my vert. Honestly. It drives like a completely different car.
Can't wait for phase 3 (front end rebuild and performance braking system)!!
#3
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Car: '91 GTA, '92 T/A Convertible
Engine: GTA: 350 w/Vortec heads, T/A: 305
Transmission: Pro-built 700R4
Axle/Gears: GTA: 3.27, T/A: 2.73
Re: Alston Inner Subframe and Spohn Perimeter Subframe Connectors Suspension Modifica
Just my two cents, but I recommend looking into Global West Del-a-lum A-arm bushings. Pricey, but ZERO deflection permanently. Have had 'em on my GTA for a while.
Last edited by blacksunshine'91; 07-22-2017 at 11:34 PM.
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Car: 1987 IROC-Z
Engine: 406 on N20 w/ EFI
Transmission: P.B. 700R4
Axle/Gears: 12 bolt w/ 3.91
Re: Alston Inner Subframe and Spohn Perimeter Subframe Connectors Suspension Modifica
very nice install I used to run those Alston inner bars and they were great. you should definitely consider undercoating the under-body of your car. makes a world of difference appearance and rust protection wise
#7
Re: Alston Inner Subframe and Spohn Perimeter Subframe Connectors Suspension Modifica
Thanks man! I've been friends with this owner of this shop for almost 20 years and I think he's a master welder. He always does a really clean job and doesn't hack anything up. It's incredible how significant of a difference in handling and ride quality properly dialing in the suspension on a third gen vert makes!
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#8
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Car: 1988 Trans Am
Engine: L03
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open
Re: Alston Inner Subframe and Spohn Perimeter Subframe Connectors Suspension Modifica
Those came out great. I'm glad you are enjoying the upgrades.
Alston's are on my to-do list.
Alston's are on my to-do list.
Last edited by DynoDave43; 07-23-2017 at 11:35 AM.
#9
Re: Alston Inner Subframe and Spohn Perimeter Subframe Connectors Suspension Modifica
Thanks Dave! Yeah I'm really impressed with the subframe connectors and how much rigidity they added to my vert! Both the Alstons and the Spohns are well made products. I recommend this combination highly. I really like how the Spohns come with those y bars. Those basically allowed me to triangulate the Front subframe with the Spohns and alstons.
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Car: 91 Firebird
Engine: 6.0
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Alston Inner Subframe and Spohn Perimeter Subframe Connectors Suspension Modifica
I did this to my 'vert years ago and was amazed at the transformation.
It also had aftermarket rear LCA's and PHB, Eibach prokit w/koni shocks, Spohn Tq arm, etc.
Really made the car ride and handle great!
It also had aftermarket rear LCA's and PHB, Eibach prokit w/koni shocks, Spohn Tq arm, etc.
Really made the car ride and handle great!
#11
Re: Alston Inner Subframe and Spohn Perimeter Subframe Connectors Suspension Modifica
On a hard top or t-top car they make a huge difference. On a vert, subframe connectors are absolutely mandatory. It's still amazing to me how much they transform a vert. I say that my TA vert truly has a "Performance Suspension" now, especially once I do the third and final phase of my suspension restoration/upgrade.
#12
Re: Alston Inner Subframe and Spohn Perimeter Subframe Connectors Suspension Modifica
I recently was able to buy a new old stock Edelbrock 3 point strut tower brace. That'll be one of my next projects! I am trying to make my convertible handle as well as possible. I love being able to find new old stock discontinued performance parts, though I wish companies like SLP, Accel and Edelbrock would stop discontinuing making all of these cool parts they used to make for our cars.
#13
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Car: 1988 Trans Am
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Re: Alston Inner Subframe and Spohn Perimeter Subframe Connectors Suspension Modifica
Nice find.
But all is not lost, at least for this piece. When Edelbrock got out of the chassis and suspension business, QA1 bought the STB design, and still offers it to this day. I have one of theirs. The only difference is a little QA1 decal where the Edelbrock one used to be.
But all is not lost, at least for this piece. When Edelbrock got out of the chassis and suspension business, QA1 bought the STB design, and still offers it to this day. I have one of theirs. The only difference is a little QA1 decal where the Edelbrock one used to be.