s13 subframe removal

[Lroi]

hey guys, can anyone give me any tips or give a link that details the removal of the subframe on a 90 s13 hb.

i bought the car knowing it had been hit before but was told only the quarter was damaged, well to make a long story short the frame is f***ed

i plan on reworking/wrapping the frame rails but i think the sub is twistd.

would you guys recomend reworking the frame and changing the subframe? or suck it up and find another shell?

i bought it as project car to learn how to drift in, should i waste my time? i know im probably going to wreck it learning but i didnt plan on falling in love with the damn thing

sorry for the long post i just had wind my wind knocked out!

[rubin]

the subframe doesnt come out, its a unibody meaning the whole body (including the framerails) is one piece. there are machines that can streighten a chasis but i dont know if the strength of the chasis is weakened or what.

i dont drift but if this is going to be a drift car then i highly dissaprove of you using it because a car going like 60 sideways will put a lot of strain on the chasis

[ricebike]

not true for this car, but i guess Lroi knew that...

if the main frame rails/body are in decent shape w/ no rust, i'd suggest going to the classifieds forum & start looking for new subframes in your area...

+ http://www.splparts.com has a polyurethane or aluminum spacer set to replace those old rubber bushings. i'd go w/ aluminum since you already seperated the subframe.



cookie for this NICOnaut:

zer...63596

[ricebike]

or if you wanna still use the old rubber bushings, use this:

zerothread?id=72977

[Lroi]

thanks, any idea on what a decent price to pay is? i dont want to get taxed on ignorace! thanks again.

[gogg]

I just got a straight shell for $100....

[ricebike]

<shurgs> browse around the classifieds &

then post something like this:

" WTB:shell/subframe near Pittsburgh for $100 or less; willing to trade my fab/welding skills for parts"

either that or goto a local salvage yard for a quote on that part.... good hunting!

[Juujai]

metal bushings wont that make a lot of noise vs rubber? anyone have reviews on em?

[ricebike]

ya, but for L's application it won't matter... he's gonna use it for driftin mostly.

u can use the spacers instead, so you'r original bushings would be the buffer <shrugs>

[Chingon]

subframe has 4 main nuts that hold it together. There's a pair of brackets by the front 2 nuts. It's kinda easy. I suggest:

unbolting the driveshaft from differential..unhooking the e-brake cables (there's 2 brackets that hold them to the subframe)..Putting a jack @ the diff pumpkin...removing the main nuts...Prying it down with a bar or something so that it comes loose.

[Red coupe]

the subframe doesnt come out, its a unibody meaning the whole body (including the framerails) is one piece. there are machines that can streighten a chasis but i dont know if the strength of the chasis is weakened or what.

i dont drift but if this is going to be a drift car then i highly dissaprove of you using it because a car going like 60 sideways will put a lot of strain on the chasis

Go sit in the corner....now...(just kidding you know i love all of you)

many unibody cars have cradles, the 240 might only have one in the rear but cars such as the G35 have one for the front suspension and one for the rear, Its just that the regididy of the car comes from the re-inforced pannels rather then a seperate full frame wich the drivetrain is bolted to...

never removed one my self but I have loosed the bolts(ok so that doesnt count at all but Im trying to sound authoritative without have any actual personal experiance) Id guess the biggest problem would be the fact that its a large heavy piece of metal and that can make manuevering difficult.

[Lroi]

thanks for all the input fellas, the guy i bought my s13 from just e-mailed me and offered me a shell of another s13 for FREE! just to get it out of his way

would you guys recommend doing the chassis work on the complete one or say f**** it and transfer everthing to the other? (if the frame isnt twisted)

he also has a skyline front clip w/out the motor would anything off of it benifit me in my drifter build up?

thanks again!