|
THE biggest problem IS the rear cradle bushings and YES, this is the most rigid platform yet but it is still a car with a front subframe and a rear subframe and nothing but rocker panels and floorpan tying them together. The question "does this car need subframe connectors" cannot be answered the same way for every driver. Will everyone benefit from them? Probably not but some people baby their cars while others beat on them regularly. I like to drive my cars hard and push them to the limits as often as possible. Anything I can do to increase those limits (especially with an easy 2 hour bolt-on) just makes driving the car more exciting. The biggest difference between the two brands in question is the connection points. The BMR subframe connector ties the front and rear subframes together with a third connection at the driveshaft carrier bearing location. Connecting these together with our driveshaft tunnel brace further reinforces the chassis.
Here's just a little insight into why we did it this way. Our first design subframe connector tied into the rear cradle also. When we were considering this design we had plans to include solid cradle bushings with the subframe connectors because in our opinion the cradle needs to be "locked down" to prevent the subframe connector from fatiguing over time and cracking welds. With one end locked solid and the other attached to the cradle mounted in rubber, the amount of "flex cycles" transmitted into the connector was considered to be too much of a liability concern. It is common practice on earlier platforms (example: first and second generation F-Body, Nova, etc.) that have subframes isolated in rubber to "lockout" the bushings when installing subframe connectors. Not doing this just allows the subframe connectors to flex regularly, fatiguing the welds to the body or subframe connectors. It may very well be fine on this platform but it is the reason we didn't go that route. Instead we made a true subframe connector separate from the cradle and developed bushings to reduce the cradle movement.
We designed a poly bushing replacement for the rear cradle (that will be available in the next few weeks) and also a Delrin cradle bushing set for heavy duty street and track use(these will be available later this year). Both of these eliminate the cradle movement by themselves and don't require the subframe connectors to do so.
Hopefully this was helpful in making your decision whichever direction you go. If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask!
|