Subframe Connectors

[Fatdaddy]

Brand: BMR
Price: 229 + shipping and handling. Around 260 total
Purchased from: BMR Fabrication - click the vendor link

Installation: Moderate (see comments below)
Time: About an hour
Quality: 9 (see comments)

Recomendation: Yes

Comments:

I had issues with these but none of them are BMR's fault. My G8 is a 2009.5. I have found changes made in several areas that make it different from the 2008 - 2009's. For this installation, the oblong hole where you slide the rear frame insert into, doesn't exist. All the holes are round. I used a die grinder on the front hole to make it oblong. Problem solved. Without that issue, install would be easy instead of moderate. It would be difficult without the right tool.

Second, I swapped the black oxide bolts for stainless steel bolts. I have been accused of having SBD (shiney bolt disease for the uninformed - Charlie is the original carrier). The truth of the matter is that black oxide rusts badly in the environment these live in. I dinged them 1 point for quality for that reason. I don't like rust so I changed them out. BMR could spec them that way but I'm sure the price would have to be higher.

Lastly, I wish smooth black was an option. I understand why BMR doesn't make them that way. I bought red. As to performance, I can only give a subjective evaluation. The car feels stiffer. It feels like I installed stiffer springs. My sun roof also sqweaks and groans less.

[norm8332]

Nice. Do you have the part#s & location to buy for the stainless bolts that work? Mine are rusting on the surface. Thanks.

[Fatdaddy]

I ordered the stainless bolts from my local Fastnals. They are 1/2" 20 (fine thread)x 1.5". I got them next day.

[Call-Me-D]

Thanks for the review, Mitch. I''ve been contemplating gettin some of these, also. I just hear the rigamaroll of people saying they don't help...I put the BMR strut brace and noticed a difference, so maybe I will with these too..

[norm8332]

Thanks, that saved me some trouble. The sub frames made a difference for me also. They actually eliminated an interior squeak that I had sometimes when turning. I wish they had included the stainless bolts.

[-Ray-]

Thanks for the review. SS 1/4-20 should not be more than having some sent out for black oxide. I'll have to question why the SAE bolts though.

[Panzer Leader]

Thanks for the update. Still pondering this upgrade. I have the Pedders Street II kit on the car. Still has both lateral and vertical movement/flex in the car. I am hoping this will help improve these areas.

[Executor999]

Second, I swapped the black oxide bolts for stainless steel bolts. I have been accused of having SBD (shiney bolt disease for the uninformed - Charlie is the original carrier). The truth of the matter is that black oxide rusts badly in the environment these live in. I dinged them 1 point for quality for that reason. I don't like rust so I changed them out. BMR could spec them that way but I'm sure the price would have to be higher..

I noticed the rust on the bolts after several months. Where did you get the stainless steel ones? Does BMR provide them or did you have to hunt them down? Would you happen to have the part #'s? Thanks.

[jimmytt6]

I had the same problems with the holes to..wasn't real happy at first but wasn't to bad to make the holes larger.
thanks for the part info on the bolts have to look into that.

thanks,
Jim

[Fatdaddy]

I noticed the rust on the bolts after several months. Where did you get the stainless steel ones? Does BMR provide them or did you have to hunt them down? Would you happen to have the part #'s? Thanks.

I bought the bolts from my local Fastenal. The description is S/S SHCS 1/2-20X1.5. The part number is 73604. You need 8. They look just like the bolts that come with the subframe connecters only shiney.

[Executor999]

Found them! Thanks for the info. For everyone who's interested.
S/S SHCS 1/2-20X1.5 (http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=73604&ucst=t)

[wreckwriter]

Fastenal is proud of those screws........ $3.58 per. McMaster-Carr is cheaper. $8.58 for pack of 5. http://www.mcmaster.com/#socket-cap-screws/=6vzdnj (can't direct link, you have to drill down)

[norm8332]

Fastenal is proud of those screws........ $3.58 per. McMaster-Carr is cheaper. $8.58 for pack of 5. http://www.mcmaster.com/#socket-cap-screws/=6vzdnj (can't direct link, you have to drill down)

Part # 92196A387 ? http://www.mcmaster.com/param/asp/PSearch2.asp?reqTyp=parametric&act=psearch&FAM=scs&FT_110=284&FT_1348=76169&FT_147=60652&FT_137=60708&FT_136=987&FT_182=47457&FT_2234=259059&FT_2029=89075&FT_518=52165&ppe=44&session=desc=;scs;1348=76169;110=284;M;I&ScreenWidth=1920&McMMainWidth=1699

[Executor999]

Part # 92196A387 ? http://www.mcmaster.com/param/asp/PSearch2.asp?reqTyp=parametric&act=psearch&FAM=scs&FT_110=284&FT_1348=76169&FT_147=60652&FT_137=60708&FT_136=987&FT_182=47457&FT_2234=259059&FT_2029=89075&FT_518=52165&ppe=44&session=desc=;scs;1348=76169;110=284;M;I&ScreenWidth=1920&McMMainWidth=1699

Even better! :) Thanks Wreckwriter and norm8332, just bought them.

[BMR Sales]

I am going to talk to the higher ups and see what we can do about the black allan bolts. I personally would like to see a different bolt in there that can handle some of the elements better than our current bolts do. I will get working on this, I would like to thank you guys for the feedback, our customers opinions are very important to us.

Thanks,
Kyle

[mi04se1]

I might be ordering the subframe conectors/tunnel brace soon, please let me know if you can upgrade the bolts.

[wreckwriter]

I ordered some too. Anyone remember the torque on these?

[Fatdaddy]

I ordered some too. Anyone remember the torque on these?

It's 55 ft/lbs on the socket head main bolts and 48 ft/lbs on the tunnel brace bolts.

[wreckwriter]

Cool, thanks!

[jimmytt6]

I am going to talk to the higher ups and see what we can do about the black allan bolts. I personally would like to see a different bolt in there that can handle some of the elements better than our current bolts do. I will get working on this, I would like to thank you guys for the feedback, our customers opinions are very important to us.

Thanks,
Kyle

Kyle great product, might want to put a little note for us 2009.5 G8's that during the install there is no elongated hole on our frames and will have to make frame hole larger for rear bracket. Other than that and some nice stainless bolts would be nice just minor stuff overall happy with product.

Wish I waited already ordered the Fastenal and put them on..damn lol

[dklau33]

I have to agree with the OP on his review except that mine is an 08 so I have the oblong holes. So for me the install would by an easy. I also got the tunnel brace as well to replace the flimsy stock piece that I had to use washers with to clear my catback. The tunnel brace on top of the subframe connectors give plenty of clearance to my Magnaflow catback. Combined together, I could definitely feel a difference in that the chasis was stiffer and would twist less in corners and especially when I go up and down my steep driveway to my complex. I notice a lot less "creaking noise" now when I angle up and down that driveway. Overall, I have to give the combination of the subframe connectors and tunnel brace a 10 for the fit and finish, quality of the pieces, the ease of installation, the gained performance of the product, and the bang for the buck.

[BMR Sales]

Thanks for all the reviews guys, it's information and feedback like this that really helps us develop and evolve our products.

[mi04se1]

I get mine on Monday and I already got the SS bolts.

[Executor999]

It's 55 ft/lbs on the socket head main bolts and 48 ft/lbs on the tunnel brace bolts.

Does anyone have the specs for the tunnel brace bolts? Even better if you can point to them at McMaster-Carr or Fastenal.

Thanks!

[mi04se1]

They came with my brace and subframe connectors, but I reused the factory ones.

[mi04se1]

How do you jack the car with the connectors?

[jimmytt6]

How do you jack the car with the connectors?

Same as you would with out them.
I drive my car up on 12" x 12" x 1.5" blocks of wood cause car too low to put jack under then just jack car up on regular points under car. and put stands under.

[Executor999]

Does anyone have the specs for the tunnel brace bolts? Even better if you can point to them at McMaster-Carr or Fastenal.

Thanks!

Found them! Who ever needs the four bolts for use with the Tunnel Brace and Subframe Connectors in stainless steel: m10 x 40
91292A216 (http://www.mcmaster.com/param/asp/PSearch2.asp?reqTyp=parametric&act=psearch&FAM=scs&FT_110=284&FT_7475=284205&FT_147=60652&FT_1349=51294&FT_379=120493&FT_1419=60358&FT_136=40066&FT_151=269891&FT_182=47457&ppe=36&session=desc=;scs;110=284;7475=284205;147=60652;13 49=51294;M;I&ScreenWidth=1920&McMMainWidth=942)

[mi04se1]

Thanks again jimmy.

[-Ray-]

Thanks for the review. This is just another mod I've dragged my feet on.

[norm8332]

Got My SS bolts, put them on they look great. But...the whole damn things are rusting,peeling. Everything, Supports and brace. Oh well....

At least I got shiny bolts!

I revised my rating in my garage.

[MongosG8]

I cannot believe these are rusting already. These are supposed to be powder coated why the fk would they peel & rust.
Sorry to hear about that.. just read your review. I have not put mine on yet maybe next week.

[norm8332]

I have the "hammertone" finish. It has a texture to it. Maybe red doesn't have this problem. I live in the NY and we have salt, But I was shocked to see surface rust etc. after only 1 year of exposure. Nothing else is rusting on the car.

I plan on pulling them and re painting them. No biggie.

[MongosG8]

I have the red. I guess we will see once I install them and run them for a year. Like you said. You can always repaint them or have them powder coated again.

[pokey]

My red ones look good, Hardware (socket cap screws) rusted almost immediately. BUT my car really has not seen much salt at all, maybe a little salt dust and no slush so, not sure how they would hold up driving year round in Winter / snow. Very Happy with them and the tunnel brace thing.