So I am getting ready to bolt the rear Miata subframe into the P1800. Since I did not satrt with a Miata donor, I thought I should ask the resident experts: What should I know about how the subframe is attached/located?
There are three holes per side. Two of them look to be the same size and the rear one is larger. Middle one has a raised square feature.
My intentions are to cut some washers to fit in the holes so that I can use 7/16" grade 8 bolts across the board. In the process, I would be getting rid of the square feature.
Rubber pad between crossmember and frame or metal to metal?
Not so much worried about the thing falling out, but I hate to have clunking sounds from the thing moving about.
Here's a document I put together a few years back. No bushings, it's all metal on metal.
http://www.cheapsportscar.net/images/subframes.pdf
Nice Keith, I will be in touch sometime soon about a front end transplant that involves shortening.
Keith, are the rear subframes mounted metal-to-metal in a stock NB?
Yes. The drivetrain is isolated from the subframes, the subframes are solidly mounted to the chassis.
Keith Tanner wrote:
Here's a document I put together a few years back. No bushings, it's all metal on metal.
http://www.cheapsportscar.net/images/subframes.pdf
I would strongly consider using the second-from-the-rear set of holes on the front subframe, even over the rearmost ones. The rear holes are good to transmit shear loads, but that part of the subframe will bend if a normal load is applied without other support. I added an arrow in blue, only one is visible in the graphic. The Exocet uses both, and the rear ones only are there to tie shear loads directly into the floors.
Warren v wrote:
Keith Tanner wrote:
Here's a document I put together a few years back. No bushings, it's all metal on metal.
http://www.cheapsportscar.net/images/subframes.pdf
I would strongly consider using the second-from-the-rear set of holes on the front subframe, even over the rearmost ones. The rear holes are good to transmit shear loads, but that part of the subframe will bend if a normal load is applied without other support. I added an arrow in blue, only one is visible in the graphic. The Exocet uses both, and the rear ones only are there to tie shear loads directly into the floors.
Hahaha. The blue text is classic, Warren.
