Excellent '81 complete subframe with premium parts

[mrvedit]

For sale is a complete subframe removed from my '81 Camaro. Since this car was originally a CA/NV car, later a show car, and never driven in snow, it is in excellent condition with no significant rust and minimal corrosion. All 4 mounting holes are perfect.

My pics show it as-removed with no cleanup and no touchup. Just a bit of touchup will make it show-worthy again.
I removed it because I installed a DSE Subframe.

The subframe is complete with tubular control arms, a Lee Engineeering steering box custom built for maximum road feel, and CPP C5/C6 spindles.
I removed it because I installed a DSE Subframe.
Considering that the tubular control arms, steering box and spindles cost over $1200, I think my price of $1500 (plus shipping) for the complete subframe is a great deal.
I saved the wooden shipping rig from my DSE subframe and can use that to safely ship this subframe. I estimate a price around $300 to ship it for a total price of $1800.

 

[flht99b]

If you ever decide to split it up I may be interested in the steering box.

 

[mrvedit]

Thanks, but I will let the future buyer of the subframe decide if they want the steering box or not.

 

[Goat]

I have an 80 shell just begging for this. If I hadn't already spent my lunch money this month...

As it turns out, I will be driving from central NC to just south of where this is located tomorrow morning (8/14), staying until Saturday. Long shot I know, but if someone in my path is interested, I could deliver it much cheaper than $300...

 

[mrvedit]

Thanks for the transportation offer!

 

[72BIGBLOCK]

On a totally different topic did you feel a big difference with the new DSe sub frame?

 

[mrvedit]

Replacing the subframe was only one portion of a big project which is not yet complete. I also switched to the Holley Dominator ECU which required numerous wiring changes and a switch from drive-by-cable to DBW. The Dominator takes 4 big harnesses and I added connectors to each so that each harness can be removed from the car; I rewired the entire front of the car and some of the dash area. Plus another cam change, installation of shaft rockers, etc.

Perhaps I'll find time to document the process, but for starters, the front is stripped down with nothing in front of the firewall. (Good time to clean and paint the firewall.) The DSE subframe has the slightly narrower early-Gen-2 sizing, which required some custom fabrication for my '81. I ordered three different trans cross members and none fit; I finally had to narrow my existing G-Force by plasma cutting and re-welding it. And engine/trans is now centered better (rather than slightly offset as from the factory), that is good, but I had to re-fabricate my safety loop. The custom steering shaft to the rack-and-pinion runs through the space where normal LS headers reside. So that required buying their special $2300 headers which leave room for the steering shaft. And the headers require custom bent pipes to connect to the existing exhaust. Total, with the better shocks, its about $13K in parts and a good 150+ hours labor to install. I'm hoping it will be worthwhile.
BTW - I previously installed the DSE Quadralink rear suspension system.

 

[Camaro16]

Where is it located?

 

[mrvedit]

The subframe is at one of the body shops I now own in Westland Michigan.