2G DSM Tubular Rear Subframe Kit

This is arguably the very best subframe kit available on the market for the 2G DSM cars.  This is a complete kit to directly replace the OE rear stamped steel subframe.  Included is the subframe itself, lower control arms, toe arms, and necessary zinc-plated hardware for installation.  Everything is made of Docol R8 tubing, fully TIG welded, and powdercoated.  All subframes are logo’d and serial numbered.

Each subframe kit is built to order for each customer.  Typical build time is 4 weeks.  I require a $200 non-refundable down payment at the time of ordering and then the balance is due upon completion.  Please use the “Inquire Us” contact form above to explore ordering or if you have any questions about these.

See below for Pricing, options, and other Q&A.

Q: How much are they?
A: I offer two different versions. The drag version is the lighter of the two. It uses thinner wall Docol R8 tubing and has no provisions for a sway bar. It runs $2200 for the complete kit. The other one is the road race version. Overall, it is the same design as the drag version, but it uses thicker wall tubing for added strength (and weight) and has brackets and spherical provisions to attach a sway bar. It runs $2600. Add $100 to either for a 3Kgt rearend option.

Q: How do I order?
A: We like to take orders for these a little more at a personal level with e-mail or phone communication to ensure the correct options are ordered and to also ensure all questions are addressed prior to the product being built.  So, please click “Inquire Us” above and send us a message if you’d like to place an order for a subframe kit, or for any other general inquiry about them.  info@volkmetalcraft.com

Q: I already bought all of the VOLK control arms.  Can I buy the subframe by itself now?
A: Absolutely.  E-mail us for pricing on this.

Q: How much weight is saved?
A: The drag version sheds ~47 lbs (including deletion of the sway bar itself). The road race version sheds ~29 lbs total.

Q: Do you have rearend options?
A: Yes. Aside from the OE 2G rearend, I can also build a subframe to run a 3000GT rearend.   Building for a 3000GT rearend adds $100 to the cost of the build.

Q: What are the advantages of this subframe kit?
A: It offers a few advantages. Aside from the obvious weight savings, it also offers better rearend bracing. The rearend is solid-mounted on both sides of the pinion end, and also offers 4 mounting points on the cover instead of two like the factory. This will help prevent movement that leads to breakage, and no fancy, expensive rearend cover is needed. The kit includes LCA’s and toe arms, which are both “tunable” in length. And the inboard pick-up points on the subframe all have an option for a 1” raise, which will raise the instant centers and roll center. All attachment points of the arms have Teflon-lined spherical bearings instead of bushings to eliminate bushing deflection, which will make the rear suspension more responsive and predictable.

Q: Can I use a Frontline Fabrication rearend cover with this subframe?
A: Unfortunately, no. The Fronline Fab covers won’t work with my subframe due to the way our subframe uses four mounting points on the cover instead of two like the factory. FF’s cover is contoured near the two lower bolt holes and wouldn’t work without extensive machining. But that’s OK though because a stronger cover is no longer needed with our subframe. Our subframe mounts the rearend at four points on the cover, as well as both sides of the pinion end, so the rearend will never twist and break. This is a solution that addresses the issue right at the root of the problem rather just adding a stronger cover to a twisting rearend.

Q: Are any modification required to the car or other parts?
A: Yes, minor modifications. #1 is the fuel filler hose. A few inches of the hard portion near the subframe needs to be cut out and replaced with a rubber hose. And #2 is the exhaust. An OE fitting exhaust will not clear the subframe. You’ll need to rework a small section of the exhaust to gain clearance where it passes below the subframe. But that’s it for modifications.

Q: Will this subframe fit with an OE fuel tank?
A: Yes and no. The original design of this subframe was not designed to be used with an OE tank. we’d recommend a fuel cell anyway due to the drawbacks of the OE saddled tank on the 2G cars. BUT, if you’re dead set on running one of these subframes with an OE tank, we can accommodate it. It involves moving a few of the bars in and away from the tank. But what this does in essentially leave less room inside of the subframe for getting the rearend housing in and out. In fact, it’s so tight that you need to remove the cover from the rearend to be able to get it in and out of the subframe. I’m only mentioning this to be forthcoming – the guys who have subframes built this way say it’s really not a problem. But if you’re on the fence about going with a fuel cell, take our advice and do it. A 10-gallon bottom-sump aluminum cell fits perfectly where the spare tire normally sits. And RCI offers cells with sending units, so you can have a function fuel level gauge on the dash.

Q: What are your options for powdercoat?
A: As Henry Ford famously said, “You can have any color you want, so long as it’s black”. We only offer a frame black coating on these. If you are 110% determined to have your subframe a different color other than black, I can ship it to you with a black e-coating finish and you can have it powdercoated by the coater of your choice. E-coat is basically an electrically applied primer coat. This will prevent corrosion and will also offer a great base for your powdercoat.

Q:  Can I use this to AWD-swap my FWD 2G DSM?
A:  Yes you can.  But all of the AWD-swap rules still apply.  You’ll still need to swap in the longer AWD subframe bolts to fit this to a FWD chassis.

PROPOSITION 65
Proposition 65 requires businesses to provide warnings to Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Prop65 WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm. (www.p65warnings.ca.gov)