Subframe experiences/opinions

[Thrwnsprkz]

Hey,I was just curious if neone runs subframe spacers on their S13/14.I have an S14 w/ worn stock bushings, they knock around alot when I drive her hard. Im not concerned with the noise or feel, but Im curious how much the spacers whould fix or lessen this. Also I know their are nylon/fiberglass and aluminum spacers. Do the nylon ones give alittle more than the aluminum for a smoother feel? or are the aluminum ones best b/c of their strength? does neone recomend or absolutly despise any types. C notches or full circles? etc etc...

Thanks guys, Ive been thinking alot about doin this but of course are they worth the $100+ ...:Jon

[robbbby]

SPL full aluminum subframe bushings!

[andrave]

blah I'd avoid subframe bushings, too much drama to get the ****ing things in, and subframe spacers work just about as well, and they are cheaper and just about as effective. I ordered some subframe spacers, I've heard they can make your diff whine a little more (or was that drift pineapples?) but... if you wanna get rid of that slop you gotta sacrifice some noise and harshness.

[crzycav86]

I have some cheap *** $20 upper and lower spacers.

I can't really give a before and after review because I installed other suspension parts at the same time. But even with the **** on my car, the ride is very bearable.. not very noisy. If I find myself driving on noisy pavement, I just turn up the music a little bit more.

But if your bushings are worn out, $20 can go a long way.

[Toddles82]

SPL full aluminum subframe bushings!

[Lt.Mike]

I purchased the nylon ones off of ebay and they work great. I had to modify them to look like the SPL ones because in order to install them you need to drop the subframe to install the upper part. I turned them into the slide in ones.

If you do not mind dropping your subframe, the nylon ones work just fine and costs less. Quality wise and ease, get the SPL aluminum ones.

Installation takes less than an hour (if you have air tools) or 2 hours like me (all hand tools).

After I installed mines, I could hear the clutch engaging, the movement of the gears in my transmission after I shift, and exhaust piping vibrations.

The gain that I got is that my car (1989 fb) became noticibly more predictable during hard cornering since excessive play in the subframe got reduced.

Great modification overall.

[book-ends]

Installation takes less than an hour (if you have air tools) or 2 hours like me (all hand tools).

Damn man, I did mine in about 40 minutes with a 17mm & 14mm(?) sockets and a cheater bar. Two hours without air tools? Does that include driving to where-ever you purchased the spacers? lol....

But yeah, the subframe spacers are a pretty nice add on. The diff whine took a day to get used to, but that's all. No more wheel hop around corners!!

[Thrwnsprkz]

hmmm ok great, thanks guysIm not at all concerned with the noise or harshness of the ride, I have a 6 puck clutch and a side pipe exaust that takes makes all the noise i need... (highway sux/ side exaust hits bottom of car) but it sounds like their a good idea.I dont think ill slurge on the tanabe drift doughnuts afterall and spend that money on something more important. ill look into a set that cost around $50. but otherwise i dont think id really be spending the money well. Ill check out SPL's pricing again too. Graci guys!: Jon

[Lt.Mike]

The reason why it took me 2 hours without air tools is because I had to make the slits in the nylon subframe spacers with a dremel, and also I had no experience working on cars at all.