The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop What is the Newest Camaro or Firebird Subframe you can use in a AD?

I was thinking of subframing my AD and am not sure how new a vehicle I can use. I have seen many successful grafts and many seem happy with them. I just need to know what will graft on and if it will slip inside the frame or if it should be attached underneath the original frame when it is cut off.

Thanks for your help in advance.

1981! after that they went with struts and unibody.

Why you would want to do this with so many aftermarket IFS kits available? Am I missing something here?

What I have found around here is that you can buy a complete vehicle for the price of 1 of the IFS kits without springs, a-arms, rotors, ...

This affords you to stay GM and other posible parts to move in like the rearend, Possible engine, Transmission and have all being originally matched from the factory, gear wise.

Also look at the G-body cars their track width is just about the same as the AD trucks.
another tech tip on G-body frame clip

most guy end up with a frankinstein truck the front or rear wheels sticking out in in too far and a huge booster or master hanging on the firewall just to save a couple bucks. 1st you need to know the tire and wheel offset you are going to run then you get the rear end and front end 7inch dual boosters and master are on ebay cheap, all you have to do is make a frame bracket, good luck "THE CUT MASTER"

It won't slip inside the frame. The AD frame is too narrow. Attaching underneath the frame will make the front end sit too high.

67-69 camaro subframe is the only one that will truly fit. The 70-81 will work but you will have tire/fender clearance issues unless you install it at normal ride height. The G-body subframe will work well but is labor/fab intensive as the steering box causes a major interference with the core support resulting in front sheet metal alignment issues and modified radiator mounting.

My $0.02 - use a IFS kit.

I think that the '68-'75/6 Nova sub is more or less the same as the '67-'69 Camaro dimensionwise, that would be another option.
I've seen alot of subbed trucks,most done by regualr guys in the garage without access to a chassis fixture. Most of the time, they end up crooked or in one case, the sub went uphill to the fron and the rear secton went up to the rear. Made for a very odd looking setup. Have you looked into the S10 conversion? You get the same benifits as subbing (modern brakes, ifs) but there's less fabbing and no cutting on the frame keeping the integrity). Plus there's lots of easy upgrades to the S truck chassis both using factory parts and aftermarket.

I did think of the S-10 frame as my truck is a 3/4 longbox and I purchased a 1991 S-10 extended cab that had a 123" wheel base and I think there was less than 2" differences between the two, but my teenager needed a vehicle so there went that idea (temporarally) I get first option if he wants to get rid of it.

PS the S-10 has a 4.3, V-6, Automatic that if not mistaken is the 700R.

we have done 5 of them...4 are complete and the 5th I am doing for myself.
I have yet to see one of our trucks look like Frankenstein. It does take some planning and yes the track is wider but I have it down now where I use a jig that will show where the Rad support needs to be....everything lines off of it when putting inner and outer fenders, hood etc back on and can weld a clip on in one evening.
Like you said you can buy a whole car for a little bit of nothing and then sell off what you dont need.
The one I am doing now I piad $150 for a 78 Trans Am no motor.
I have a good rear, pedals, clip and tilt colum. I sold the tranny for $60 and the rest of the car for $150 to a guy whho is making a street stock dirt car.
here is the one I am working on now
I sold the tranny for $60
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v281/iceburgh/1953%20truck/?start=all

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v281/iceburgh/franks%20truck/?start=all

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v281/iceburgh/truck/?start=all

now you see what i mean about large boosters and masters hanging on the firewall frankinstein

Hold on a minute. You want to use a modern type cable type spare tire holder off of a Windstar or Caravan that can be cranked from the interior, a T5 transmission that had to be modified to work, have an 8.8 Lincoln disc brake rear end, thinking of using a CCP master cylinder remote fill billet cap for a Corvette master cylinder and quite possibly using a modified tie rod reinforced with angle iron.............. AND you want to call a firewall mount booster / master a frankenstein????!?!?!?!?!

Should you be doing that??

Good show Iceburgh. Weeds

Iceburgh Nice job. I put a 69 Nova Clip & rear end under my 49 suburban. I know the IFS crowd looks at subframing as an evil twin and it can be if done incorrectly. However a swap meet subframe can be had for $2-250 plus another $250-350 to go through it with all new parts and your in business. Even if you pay a certified welder to finish the job it is still hard to beat if you are a cash strapped builder. Great idea on the jig on where to place the front end sheetmetal. I will steal it for my next build.

These can easly be hidden under the dash or on the frame with no effort and a few $$$$. However the customer pays the bills and the can save money using stock items from the camaro/firebird.
Guess it depends if you want a driver or a show truck

your right iceburgh, but the front wheels are very shallow here in california most guys want there trucks lower or with air ride and more reverse wheels and they will hit the fenders. some guys narrow the camero front ends by taking 2 inches out of the center, use g bodys or mustang II

No disrespect iceburgh i have seen this debate on the bolt before firewall vs frame mount master as you stated if the customer pays