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

 

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?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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?

 

yes you can. the torque boxes are at the front of the car. the connectors connect the rear rails to the floor support/ sometimes the front rails.


theres a picture of a torque box. the rusty part... lol

 

Use some paint you savage lol

 

This part is the box?