Front C subframe removed
 

Well, having done lots of swatting up on the role of the c-subframe, I finally got around to removing this big lump of metal from the car and having driven for a couple of weeks now I can say it's dramatically improved the turn-in and steering response.

Was advised by some that it might upset the handling so I was somewhat cautious at first, however having given it a good caning on my usual twistys and RBs, I wish I'd done it years ago. Can go faster through corners on the back roads than before and only took about 5 minutes to remove as well. Only problem is that I'm going to have to improvise a fitting for the under tray... or stick to dry weather! Also can be less aggressive with the DCCD as the car is less understeery than before.

That plus a few other bits and it's 32kg off the car so far and counting, without compromising anything like AC or audio. On a mission to get 100kg off total but it's not easy. Battery to the boot and custom bumper beams next. Should get at least another 10kg off and improve the balance further.

As it is part of the vehicle structure, how would this affect the MOT??

Ive asked a few about this b4, glad you tried it,
there is a few lite weight replacements about but they arent cheap,
have you done an alignment check to see if anything has moved?
please keep us informed as the weight saving is massive.

I can see it now:

MOT checklist item 31 - Check for existence of front C-subframe (Y/N) - Doh!

Getting that checked in a few weeks when the car goes in for new brakes. Did look at alternatives. Would've gone for this most likely:

http://www.rallysportdirect.com/shop...me-p-3065.html

But since, IMO, the handling is far better than before I decided not to bother.

Lateral used to have one listed also but it seems to have been taken off the site.

Now that could be viewed as if it is there check it. If not so what, think you may need to speak to a MOT tester as if it has to be there and you get stopped by the police for a vehicle check you could be in trouble. Also if it has to be there and you remove it and have an accident could the insurance refuse to pay out as it could be determined that it had a detrimental affect on the car?

Err I was kind of taking the P out of myself!

Stopped by the Police to check it?! No offence but are you stoned? :) (Is there an emoticon for a splif somewhere?)

should of bought a spec c would of saved you a lot of hassek an time. I highly doubt the car is handling better.

Removed your subframe and compared, in order to render that qualified opinion did we? :wonder:

No ,but it's part os the suspension set up. If you take a way a part that stiffens the system up then it's only going to make the car flex more. :thumb:

As long as your happy i guess that's the main thing ;)

Immy

Indeed - it's better QED I'm happy

It will reduce the integrity of the alignment when pressing on through corners :) I guess it depends what you like and how the rest of the car is set up. The later cars have 6 point attachment where as the classics have only 4 point attachment. Locking mine out further on the classic with a 6 point uprated item. An unstable subframe is exactly what you don't want on the face of it, but if you like it cool. Personally I wouldn't recommend it :)

did they not remove it on the spec c?? which is meant to be the best out the box handling impreza, did they make any changes to make up for it?

If you removed the C subframe and replaced it with a 4 point H brace would it flex ?
The classic wasnt a bad car without it,
could it be for extra crash strength and been added due to some daft EU ruling?

thats what i reckon- they removed it from the spec c for weight, it cant effect things too much then could it?? any technical guru's on this one? lol. Axel what was your findingd on this subframe?

The U-subframe (as I think it's usually known) definitely is there for crash-protection. Specifically it's to minimize cabin-intrusion by the engine and so on in a frontal impact, so maybe not a mod you'd want to do on a daily-driver. Or fit a lightweight aftermarket for the best of both worlds.

By why bright orange ?

A nice anthracite or black fine, but not orange...

LOL

dunx

P.S. Do it on a track car, I'd rather not for a road car thanks !

BTW, did the classic have a front subframe? Some say yes, others say no. (Loaded question!)

No, Ive never seen 1, Ive seen plenty of H frames fitted, I fitted to my classic,
Looks like the U frame is on blobs/hawks but has 2 x extra M12 x77 Bolts fitted over the early bugeyes,

http://opposedforces.com/parts/impreza/I find this site really useful for bits like this

Are we talking about this thing?

http://image.importtuner.com/f/17883...rame_brace.jpg

IIRC there was about 10 bolts to remove this from the car. If you are I may well remove it and fit the H-Brace that's currently sat in my garage:D

With regard to the crash protection, my first Mk1, I hit a tree stump square very hard and completely 'stoved' the front end in. There was no 'visible' damage to the cabin or firewall and my only injury was from the airbag (If one is wearing short sleeves when an airbag goes off they may be in for a surprise!). Since the car had no similar sub-frame this is why I was less concerned about removing it from my Blob.

http://www.zerospec.com/gtspec-subfr...za-p-4890.html
Yes Jon thats the kiddie,
If you look at the link you can see its designed to do 2 jobs as mentioned, the crash protection section and the front arms support,
they arent cheap though.

I know the price, I looked at the perrin stuff a while back. Whilst a standard H-brace won't offer the same stiffness as the c-frame, if it is considered excess weight on the Spec-C I see that removing it and fitting the H-brace will leave me in a better situation than standard Spec-C owners:?:D

Im looking at that same setup but the newage bracket is spaced out for the C frame,
Thats why I Id like to find a classic one to try.

Just got this months Total Impreza and there's an article on ARBs and front anti-lift kit. In the article Scoobyclinic suggest that the c-frame only offers minimal structural rigidity and is designed for crash resistance as mentioned earlier and is often disposed of:?:D

its 12Kgs + Bolts lol

It all adds up, aircon, airbags, abs etc, Had none if this on my mk1 fiesta:wonder:

Picking one of these up tomorrow, I did actually fancy the front cross member frame but decided to pass atm...

http://www.zerospec.com/front-subfra...13404deda7d6e4

So you're telling me that your car actually handles better, or feels better without the support underneath in the form of this U piece??