Subframe rusted! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ForgotUsername · 05-07-2025, 06:40 PM

I noticed a spot on my rear subframe where the welds are separating due to rust. I am going to replace the subframe with a used but clean one.

Check out the attached photos showing the issue.

My big question: Can I get a subframe from ANY donor camaro regardless of year/engine/transmission?
Many parts yards have them categorized like "2010-11 subframe" or "13 14 15 subframe" but I'm thinking they are actually the same after the diff and suspension are stripped off. At least that's what I'm gathering based on what i'm finding in the parts catalog (see attached image). Any insight?

My car:
2010 Camaro V6 automatic, 206k miles.

KillboyPowerhead · 05-07-2025, 09:05 PM

As far as I know the only difference in the subframe between models was the bushings at the four mounting points. Good time to go solid bushing

Joe.G · 05-08-2025, 07:39 AM

Yes the Subs are the same, I would swap to Solid or at least Poly bushings at this point. Honestly if the rest of the sub frame is clean/Solid then I would clean that up and either patch or weld it. It is hard to tell by the picture. With a 200 K car that most likely is a daily driver you probably would get another 100 K out of it.

ForgotUsername · 05-08-2025, 04:47 PM

Do you have a recommendation for a brand or specific set of bushings? This is a daily driver so solid bushings i am not interested in, but maybe poly. Would those all be interchangeable regardless of year/engine?

KillboyPowerhead · 05-08-2025, 07:57 PM

I have solid on my daily and it's still plenty comfortable. But if you want poly, BMR makes some, not sure who else. Detroit Speed makes solid; I got mine from Pegasus but I don't believe they're still around. Any of these aftermarket cradle bushings will work for any 5th gen cradle.

Joe.G · 05-08-2025, 08:36 PM

Cradle bushings aftermarket wise are the same though out the years, I run Hendrix solids on mine and honestly I don't believe there are any negatives, You will just have a more solid rear without much if any NVH issues. BMR makes Poly.

ForgotUsername · 06-10-2025, 08:05 PM

Any idea what else is different for V6 versus SS?
I'm considering buying an entire rear end (subframe + control arms + hubs + suspension) from an SS donor. What would have to be swapped to work with my v6?

The parts that are different which I'm aware of are:

differential
axle half shafts
wheel hubs
driveshaft
brakes

FASTFATBOY · 06-10-2025, 08:09 PM

Before you put it back in paint it with POR15.

My ZL1 was rusting and I painted it, POR15 encapsulates rust and stops it.

05-07-2025, 06:40 PM	#1
ForgotUsername Drives: 2010 Camaro RS LT2 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Detroit Posts: 20	Subframe rusted! I noticed a spot on my rear subframe where the welds are separating due to rust. I am going to replace the subframe with a used but clean one. Check out the attached photos showing the issue. My big question: Can I get a subframe from ANY donor camaro regardless of year/engine/transmission? Many parts yards have them categorized like "2010-11 subframe" or "13 14 15 subframe" but I'm thinking they are actually the same after the diff and suspension are stripped off. At least that's what I'm gathering based on what i'm finding in the parts catalog (see attached image). Any insight? My car: 2010 Camaro V6 automatic, 206k miles. Attached Images

05-07-2025, 09:05 PM	#2
KillboyPowerhead Drives: 2015 Z/22 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 988	As far as I know the only difference in the subframe between models was the bushings at the four mounting points. Good time to go solid bushing __________________ Overkill/Self Tuned; Mace Camshafts; K&N Typhoon Cold Air Intake; Ported 80mm Throttle Body/Intake Manifolds/Manifold Spacer; Solo Performance High-Flow Cats, Cat-back Exhaust; Vitesse Motorsports Throttle Controller; Elite Engineering E2 Catch Can; BC Racing BR Coilovers; JPSS Delrin Radius Rod Bushing Inserts, Sway Bars; Pegasus Aluminum Rear Cradle Bushings, Camber/Caster Plates; Z/28 Toe Links, Trailing Arms, Upper Control Arm Bushings, Rear Shock Mounts

05-08-2025, 07:39 AM	#3
Joe.G Drives: 2014 2SS/RS 6SP Ashen Grey Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: NY Posts: 1,763	Yes the Subs are the same, I would swap to Solid or at least Poly bushings at this point. Honestly if the rest of the sub frame is clean/Solid then I would clean that up and either patch or weld it. It is hard to tell by the picture. With a 200 K car that most likely is a daily driver you probably would get another 100 K out of it. __________________ GM 3.91/TrueTrac OEM ZL1 Rims, 6 Piston Brakes & Side Skirts.ACST4 Splitter/Deflectors NPP M2W,GM Short Throw,GPI Ported Rod Mod,BO White PTB,CAI/JRE Scoop, GC Aluminum DS,Stainless Works Ceramic LTH/HiFlo Cats, Hotckis 1" Springs & Chassis Max Brace BMR Adjustable Swaybars,Trailing Arms, Adjustable Toe Rod, LCA & Z28 UCA Bushings Hendrix Solid Cradle Bushings Pedders Radius Rod Inserts Strut tower brace, Moroso Catch Can,SCT X4 Dynosteve,Remote Clutch reservoir,Hero Smoked Tail and 3rd Brake Light, Diode Dynamic SL1 Fog Lights AeroForce Dual gauge/Autometer pillar mount.

05-08-2025, 07:57 PM	#5
KillboyPowerhead Drives: 2015 Z/22 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 988	I have solid on my daily and it's still plenty comfortable. But if you want poly, BMR makes some, not sure who else. Detroit Speed makes solid; I got mine from Pegasus but I don't believe they're still around. Any of these aftermarket cradle bushings will work for any 5th gen cradle. __________________ Overkill/Self Tuned; Mace Camshafts; K&N Typhoon Cold Air Intake; Ported 80mm Throttle Body/Intake Manifolds/Manifold Spacer; Solo Performance High-Flow Cats, Cat-back Exhaust; Vitesse Motorsports Throttle Controller; Elite Engineering E2 Catch Can; BC Racing BR Coilovers; JPSS Delrin Radius Rod Bushing Inserts, Sway Bars; Pegasus Aluminum Rear Cradle Bushings, Camber/Caster Plates; Z/28 Toe Links, Trailing Arms, Upper Control Arm Bushings, Rear Shock Mounts

05-08-2025, 08:36 PM	#6
Joe.G Drives: 2014 2SS/RS 6SP Ashen Grey Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: NY Posts: 1,763	Cradle bushings aftermarket wise are the same though out the years, I run Hendrix solids on mine and honestly I don't believe there are any negatives, You will just have a more solid rear without much if any NVH issues. BMR makes Poly. __________________ GM 3.91/TrueTrac OEM ZL1 Rims, 6 Piston Brakes & Side Skirts.ACST4 Splitter/Deflectors NPP M2W,GM Short Throw,GPI Ported Rod Mod,BO White PTB,CAI/JRE Scoop, GC Aluminum DS,Stainless Works Ceramic LTH/HiFlo Cats, Hotckis 1" Springs & Chassis Max Brace BMR Adjustable Swaybars,Trailing Arms, Adjustable Toe Rod, LCA & Z28 UCA Bushings Hendrix Solid Cradle Bushings Pedders Radius Rod Inserts Strut tower brace, Moroso Catch Can,SCT X4 Dynosteve,Remote Clutch reservoir,Hero Smoked Tail and 3rd Brake Light, Diode Dynamic SL1 Fog Lights AeroForce Dual gauge/Autometer pillar mount.

05-08-2025, 04:47 PM	#4
ForgotUsername Drives: 2010 Camaro RS LT2 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Detroit Posts: 20	Do you have a recommendation for a brand or specific set of bushings? This is a daily driver so solid bushings i am not interested in, but maybe poly. Would those all be interchangeable regardless of year/engine?

06-10-2025, 08:05 PM	#7
ForgotUsername Drives: 2010 Camaro RS LT2 Join Date: May 2018 Location: Detroit Posts: 20	Any idea what else is different for V6 versus SS? I'm considering buying an entire rear end (subframe + control arms + hubs + suspension) from an SS donor. What would have to be swapped to work with my v6? The parts that are different which I'm aware of are: differential axle half shafts wheel hubs driveshaft brakes

06-10-2025, 08:09 PM	#8
FASTFATBOY Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Mobile Al Posts: 542	Before you put it back in paint it with POR15. My ZL1 was rusting and I painted it, POR15 encapsulates rust and stops it. __________________ 2015 1SS 1LE, Magnuson 2300 Heartbeat and headers. 550rwhp STD, 535 SAE.