subframe help

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crissymck
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Post Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:30 pm

hey guys 1st post been a member a while not one for typing lol. but a need some help. am puting in a new engine and no mater what a do the subfame is in the way so thining of removing the middle section of it. but not to sure what this will do to the car strength as such i will reinforce the front of the chassis but just really dont know what to do lol any ideas. thanks oh by the way its not a bmw engine its a 2.5 volvo.
jimmyspeed
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Post Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:36 pm

what are you planning on mounting the engine to if there is no sub frame?
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crissymck
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Post Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:41 pm

still using the mounts just removing the middle of the subframe if you know what a mean lol
stonesie
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Post Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:46 pm

I wouldn't, the subframe is a vital load bearing component.


You might need to make a custom sump and oil pickup to get around your clearance issues.
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crissymck
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Post Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:54 pm

nope had the sump off the day anyway a do it its in the way lol. but a dont want to give up
bodger
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Post Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:57 pm

what engine is it?
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crissymck
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Post Wed Jun 24, 2009 11:02 pm

2.5 volvo turbo B5254FT think the code is
bodger
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Post Wed Jun 24, 2009 11:10 pm

uwem3 is currently modifying a front subframe, have a look at his thread

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... &start=100
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crissymck
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Post Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:01 am

bodger wrote:uwem3 is currently modifying a front subframe, have a look at his thread

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... &start=100

haha thanks very much thats it the angle grinder is coming out
UweM3
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Post Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:04 am

so how much do you need to remove?? I have a jig....... winkeye
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crissymck
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Post Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:08 am

lol most of the centre yours looks really good fancy giving me it winkeye will have to go tomorrow and get the measuring tape out
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Post Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:48 am

crissymck wrote:lol most of the centre yours looks really good fancy giving me it winkeye will have to go tomorrow and get the measuring tape out
what are you going to do with the steering rack? It mounts off the subframes front.
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phil540uk
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Post Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:41 pm

Why not dry sump it? You'll get much more clearance. Or raise the engine to clear the subframe (if there's room?)

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Post Thu Jun 25, 2009 3:50 pm

Crissy,

Are you in a position to modify your sump? IE move the bowl fore or aft in order to clear the cross-member? I had the same problem as you have now (except with a Toyota engine) and opted to move the bowl of my sump from the front of the engine to the rear. This entailed building a new sump from aluminium. Not everyone's cup of tea, but it is one possible option.

Image

I do not recommed that you modify the sub frame as it provides lateral (side-to-side) rigidity which prevents the lower suspension mounting points from moving inwards or outwards under load. Any attempt to re-route the sub-frame around an object, such as the sump, rapidly deteriorates this lateral strength since the load path becomes indirect (think of a strut-brace that goes straight from pillar-to-pillar compared to one that curves up and over).
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Post Thu Jun 25, 2009 3:56 pm

could you not modify the bulkhead to allow the engine to sit right back?, where is the bowl on the ovlov engine