[70gteeo]

1967 Firebird convertible, I am redoing my suspension both front and rear. I have a set of sub frame connectors that I can add on. I want to know if the sub-frame connector improves the ride and handling. Thanks for any input. Steve

[jwcfbd]

Yes. Mine had a lot of flex until I put them on it. They really seemed to stiffen things up. Just make sure to have the car weight on the wheels before welding. The shop that did mine had it on a regular lift and it was slightly twisted. Thankfully they did a crapy job and all I did was break the weld.

[keith k]

A '67 Firebird convertible, structurally speaking, is a wet noodle. One with subframe connectors is a slightly overcooked noodle. It's still a LONG way from being a stiff platform on which to build a "good handling" car.

It's a great cruiser. If you want good "handling", there are other cars that make much better starting points.

JMO.

[DOC]

cant think of any cons of putting on sub frame connectors

[ponjohn]

Only way I would not put them is if it were a numbers matching all original resto.

[Transporter]

Originally Posted by 70GTEEO

1967 Firebird convertible, I am redoing my suspension both front and rear. I have a set of sub frame connectors that I can add on. I want to know if the sub-frame connector improves the ride and handling. Thanks for any input. Steve

Steve, don't know if you are going to or have already replaced all of the original body mounts with something like Energy Suspension pieces.

But that alone will tighten a car up considerably if your old rubbers were shot.

[Captainofiron]

Originally Posted by ponjohn

Only way I would not put them is if it were a numbers matching all original resto.

+1

but I would still probably do it, just use a set of bolt-ins

[mogeo]

Did my 68. BIG improvement. My doors dont kiss the quarter now. Bolt in. Slight squeak once they settled in. Re tightened and have been fine.

[BLANK1]

mogeo,
What brand did you use?

[70gteeo]

Yes my car is #'s matching. So going with bolt on sub-frame connectors I can remove them with no harm to the rear sub-frame. I currently have rubber body bushings not sure if I should go with Energy Suspension body bushings? If I go with the Energy Suspension pieces would that be enough to tighten up the suspension and not use the sub-frame connectors. My car is for street use only. Thanks all for your replies

[mogeo]

I used hotchkis.

[keith k]

Best thing you can do for a convertible that's a street car is rebuild your suspension / steering, subframe bushings, (everything) etc. with rubber like GM originally used. I wouldn't use poly anywhere other than the stabilizer bar end links, which is the only place they're ever used on production cars, too (there's a reason for that....).

Then spend your money on GOOD tires, even if you need to run 16 or 17 inch wheels -- there are few or no really good tires available in 14 or 15 inch sizes any more.

[mogeo]

I rebuilt all my suspension as well and that alone made a big difference. Firmed up the ride. NO slop. NO jarring either, which is important in a convertible. i did use poly. not harsh ride at all and no squeeks after about 6k miles. I run 15inch rally II with All seasons. Works great for me as I dont throw it into corners much.
I would love to switch up to some 17s as the budget allows (love the look of COYES rims), but also am concerned with the ride quality as the sidewalls get thinner. I dont want any more road imperfection finding their way up into my cowl and doors.

[Donovan]

I did aluminum bushing on the frame and it was awesome. Nothing to be afraid of. Lets the tires and the suspension do the work.

I even put delrin bushings in the a-arms with steel carriers. Again not not the bad experience everyone seems to be trying to avoid. I noted some addition road noise or vibration but it really only added to the visceral car driving feel. Not annoying. I didn't have any rubber any where. Only had poly in the sway bar! 15" rally wheels. Who knows if I would have felt different with bigger rims? The tall side wall on 14 and 15s is a hell of a damper!

I can only imagine how bad the vert needs this.

[68400BIRD]

I have Pro Touring F-Body subframe connectors, Global West solid body bushings and Delrin Speed Tech bushing control arms. Running 17" rims with QA1 shocks. Car has a great ride. Working on paint right now. We were trying to get a better fit on the front fenders so the friend helping me showed some of his old tricks. He was trying to jack the car up on the back of the sub frame to tighten up the gap on the lower portion of the fender. We could not get the front to sag at all.

[Flattrack88]

68400Bird...do you have any pics of the pro touring subframe connectors installed? I was wondering how closely they hug the floor? I'm planning to get Hotchkiss ofr my 67, but I'm always open to saving $150. Thanks.

[68400BIRD]

Sorry it took so long.

[Flattrack88]

Thanks for the pics...just what I was looking for! Looks like a lot of nice work on your car.

[68400BIRD]

Originally Posted by Flattrack88

Thanks for the pics...just what I was looking for! Looks like a lot of nice work on your car.

Glad I could help. Thanks for the compliment. Here's a link if your interested in seeing more.
http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140573

[Firebob]

Wow, that is one long thread.