Subframe and Torque Boxes Choice

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

11-12-2009, 08:44 PM

#11

chewy1234

2nd Gear Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Jan 2008

Location: Utah

Posts: 152

If I were to bring it to a shop what should the labor be around?

11-14-2009, 12:14 PM

#12

chewy1234

2nd Gear Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Jan 2008

Location: Utah

Posts: 152

I guess this site went down for a day!
Anyway I read the article in Mustang Monthly about torque boxes, but I need a simple explanation on what they do and what can happen without them?

11-14-2009, 01:03 PM

#13

67t5ponycoupe

5th Gear Member

Join Date: Jan 2006

Location: Colorado

Posts: 3,946

They basically connect the front frame to the rocker panel and reduce body fex especially under high torque and racing conditions. What will happen without them? Nothing really, it is a matter of choice to install them or not. There are millions of classic mustangs out there without them and they don't have a problem.

11-15-2009, 07:54 AM

#14

JDraper

2nd Gear Member

Join Date: Sep 2009

Location: Central PA

Posts: 224

If you're already installing the subframe connectors, install the torque boxes too. As said, they will stiffen up the body quite a bit. We did both (and added a one piece transport bar and straight monte-carlo bar) to our '66 when we restored it, and the combination of the items really stiffened the unibody up and made it handle much better.

11-15-2009, 08:54 AM

#15

chewy1234

2nd Gear Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Jan 2008

Location: Utah

Posts: 152

The thing is adding subframes is its not that difficult. No fenders to remove or repainting etc.. My car is solid and I am not taking it apart right now. I want to make it right, but still not sure why torque boxes do a better job than subframes? But I also hate doing things twice.

11-15-2009, 09:57 AM

#16

Norm Peterson

6th Gear Member

Join Date: Feb 2007

Location: state of confusion

Posts: 7,635

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy1234

torque boxes seem like a pain. I already have the subframe stuff and thought that would be good enough, but it sounds like the torque boxes really help. I would think the subframe stuff would help more?

The torque boxes are a big part of what connect the sills and A-pillars to the framework inside the engine bay. Note that the two frame rails that the front suspensions connect to is much narrower than the sills and pillars. A single thickness of sheetmetal is not at all rigid, and if the connection between the two structures is not at least reasonably solid, it's like having a hinge in the middle. The chassis then wouldn't be very resistant to the twisting and bending that happens in even easy driving, would eventually creak going over bumps, and it would be all but impossible to tune the handling.

The biggest gains usually come from stiffening up the least rigid things.

Norm

11-17-2009, 11:14 AM

#17

Deviousfred

3rd Gear Member

Join Date: Jul 2005

Location: El Paso, TX

Posts: 630

So let me ask this; can I run subframe connectors and torque boxes? I currently have Heidt's connectors but they are not installed yet. Also does anyone have pictures of the installation process for these torque boxes?