RP Subframe support. Your thoughts [Archive]

Bumnah

06-19-2009, 11:15 PM

This guy:

http://www.rpsport.net/img/zilvia_ad_617/zilvia_ad1.png

What do the engineers in here think about this product? Considering the bolts that go through this piece are only torqued down to 12-20 ft/lbs, this isn't a load baring piece.

Lateral movement I suppose is controlled with this piece. I just have a hard time seeing big benefits of this piece. I'm also not an engineer.

I suppose it could do something for people not using collars or full aluminum replacements.

I may be mistaken but I don't think you can use this piece with full aluminum bushing. One person purchased them and they didn't clear the lip on the bushings. I could be mistaken.

If you're running full aluminum bushings I doubt there's any movement laterally where this may be useful.

All hype or actually a useful item?

Def

06-20-2009, 11:18 AM

Useful item.

I came up with this idea about 8 months ago doing my rear subframe swap. The stock pieces that go there are useless weak in bending.

I've got some pieces of 1/4" 7075 aluminum scrap that I've got cut out into roughly the right shapes to make some for myself. Just need to drill the holes and bolt 'em up.

racepar1

06-20-2009, 11:20 AM

I would imagine that those would make some difference, but they are no engineering revelation like they are being advertised as. If you really wanna make something nice you should make your own complete, reinforced, replacement bracket for the whole assembly rather than a piece of flat stock with a couple holes drilled in it and a pretty logo. I'll probably do that for myself eventually.

Def

06-20-2009, 03:36 PM

shoes59

06-20-2009, 04:15 PM

Not sure where the RPSport braces bolt to but I'm dropping my sub frame next weekend to do a bunch of stuff including having this http://www.mazworx.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2938 welded on.

racepar1

06-20-2009, 08:03 PM

Yea, I think their price is a little out of wack for some very minor fabrication work done to about $5-10 of aluminum. Not sure how you'd patent a chunk of aluminum with some holes in it that is a direct replacement for an existing part on a car either...

Seriously, HOW DO YOU PATENT THAT???

Well I just made myself a set out of some steel flat stock that I had lying around. Took about an hour because the flat stock was really too wide and I had to notch it and grind a corner off to get it to fit right.

Def

06-20-2009, 08:58 PM

Not sure where the RPSport braces bolt to but I'm dropping my sub frame next weekend to do a bunch of stuff including having this http://www.mazworx.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2938 welded on.

They attach on the brackets that connect the "frame rail" to the front subframe mounts. The pieces go from the rear of the passenger floorpan to that bracket.

Bumnah

06-21-2009, 06:30 AM

Do you guys think aluminum bushings still allow enough movement, that a thicker piece like this is useful? I'm just curious, my wallet has taken enough of a beating in the past few months when it comes to car parts.

shoes59

06-21-2009, 10:16 AM

They attach on the brackets that connect the "frame rail" to the front subframe mounts. The pieces go from the rear of the passenger floorpan to that bracket.
I'm still having a hard time visualizing where they mount.

WilloW

06-21-2009, 10:46 AM

I'm still having a hard time visualizing where they mount.
Does it replaces this piece?
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Y52Xj2gQPDM/Sj5xw2L-yNI/AAAAAAAAC4Y/8LuZ4KOMQcM/s576/ad_lrg06.jpg

Only the S13 version is available right now anyway.

Def

06-21-2009, 10:48 AM

Yes, it replaces that bent POS. Mine are both bent up more than that, and I think the more power you make the worse they bend.

djsilver

06-21-2009, 05:35 PM

Does it replaces this piece?
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Y52Xj2gQPDM/Sj5xw2L-yNI/AAAAAAAAC4Y/8LuZ4KOMQcM/s576/ad_lrg06.jpg

Only the S13 version is available right now anyway.

That little strap is bolted to the body on one end but the other end is bolted to another bracket that's also attached to the stud that the subframe bolts to, and to the body under the car. It works out to be a triangulated support for the mounting stud, to prevent lateral movement. The only way for that piece to see load is if the subframe mounting studs on the body are flexing. I looked at my brackets and don't see any cracks in the paint so I don't expect that's happening. It's hard for me to visualize whether it's most likely to see tension or compression load in practice, but from the design I suspect Nissan is expecting tension only, or it would be made differently.

2Fass240us

06-21-2009, 07:50 PM

Are those necessary with solid aluminum subframe bushings?

a_ahmed

06-22-2009, 08:30 AM

I got one but the problem is i dont have the metal bracket on the right so no go for me.... i have solid subframe bushings so im not sure how much difference it would make ... however im running without a brace alltogether now...

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Y52Xj2gQPDM/Sj5xw2L-yNI/AAAAAAAAC4Y/8LuZ4KOMQcM/s576/ad_lrg06.jpg

As you can see by the picture... its a two piece brace stock... so the left bendy one gets replaced... the thing on the right im missing... boo :( If someone sent it to me non rusted i could use it i guess.. but im not suer how much difference this would make with my solid subframe bushings... i wont be able to try it until i find the bracket on the right...

racepar1

06-22-2009, 11:08 AM

Those mounting studs DO flex. With solid bushings they should actually flex more, since the load is being transferred through a solid piece, therefore the brackets should make a bit more of a difference. The RP sport ones are far over priced, probably almost double what they are actually worth. If they were priced reasonably ($25-$30) I would actually buy his, but it's just not worth $50. Just make your own, it's easy. All you really need is a drill and a hacksaw.

BeerBringer

06-22-2009, 11:12 AM

a_ahmed, as someone mentioned it takes bending moment of the subframe stud.
Your solid subframe busing sort of takes up these forces anyway but in a more indirekt way.
If I was you I would not worry about driving the car but I would get the bracket just for piece of mind. Nissan did put it there for a reson.

a_ahmed

06-22-2009, 11:37 AM

ya makes sense.

I need someone to hook me up with that bracket lol... mine was rusted like a boat so i threw it out anyway.. in fact studs cracked so id have to drill studs out to fit it lol... (on where the original brace went on chassis)

I am pretty much left with a pretty piece of useless aluminum as things stand until i can get that bracket from the right... :(

Bumnah

06-22-2009, 02:41 PM

My friend Ed probably has one.

I'll contact him and see what I can do for you a_ahmed. I'll contact you via PM regarding the bracket.

I took a wire wheel to mine while I had the sub frame out, I then painted it black. It's nice and shiny; I'm totally rad like that. :D

shoes59

06-22-2009, 02:59 PM

Only the S13 version is available right now anyway.
I see it now. When I pull my sub-frame this weekend I'll make and install beefier brackets on my S14 and turn them into better jackstand points.

WilloW

06-22-2009, 03:57 PM

I see it now. When I pull my sub-frame this weekend I'll make and install beefier brackets on my S14 and turn them into better jackstand points.

Please post pictures of your progress. I can see it in my head but its still fun to see someone actually fabricate the part.

a_ahmed

06-22-2009, 07:39 PM

thanks bumnah im really hoping ur buddy has some :)

Ruff Ryder 6

06-23-2009, 08:28 AM

I could probably pull some from the local junkyard here for you if bumnah can't come up with it. Plan on going this weekend...

a_ahmed

06-23-2009, 09:22 AM

sick, that'd be pretty bad ass, as long as its not rusted its awesome :D I'd like to see what difference it really makes especially with the solid bushings and the fact i run no brace now

Ruff Ryder 6

07-03-2009, 08:50 PM

I found you those brackets today at the junkyard. Shoot me a pm if you haven't found them yet.

a_ahmed

07-04-2009, 06:47 AM

nice, i was just gona say that guy bumnah directed me to didnt respond to my email even lol

Bumnah

07-05-2009, 12:31 PM

Damn, that's surprising. Ed is normally good about that stuff.

Sorry I couldn't help you man.

Ruff Ryder 6

07-30-2009, 12:02 PM

You did get those brackets right ahmed?

a_ahmed

07-30-2009, 12:47 PM

Hey bro, yeah I did, I forgot to thank you.

I didn't have time yet to get this install. One of the bolts is snapped (in chassis hole frmo old ones I had on there) so it'll take extra work...

As soon as I do get to this I will definetely let you guys know the results :) Hopefully some noticable benefit :D Positive changes/additions to the car always make me happy.

Def

07-30-2009, 05:26 PM

I made some and installed them. Maybe a slight difference, but it wasn't half as huge as what everybody was saying on the forums. I felt my rollbar way more than this(as I would expect).

I used some titanium bolts and jet nuts to hold it to the subframe support brace, so I'm guaranteed to have the most baller rear subframe support.

Bumnah

07-30-2009, 07:09 PM