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Did the tubular subframe project ever make it off the computer screen to a version suitable for road use?
That is to say a version that bolt straight on and uses as much standard stuff as possible.
Not sure I ever saw a discussion on prices or indeed anyone having a road version.
I appreciate it was not going to be cheap but unless its a secret I (and perhaps others) would like to know how expensive.
Stumbled across a price of £1K for the race version from 2015.
Although not adverse to loosing some OE stuff for something superior, it would still have to have the brackets for all the associated road car suspension to make it attractive to 99% of other S2 Coupe owners IMHO.
Problem with the Race one is the amount of re-engineering.
I want acceptable NVH without replacing any of the components!
So for arguments sake, non OE bushings would be acceptable as long as there were alternatives such as rubber/poly or solid.
Whilst I appreciate it was expedient for Audi to just rotate the subframe leaving us with two rotten subframes to deal with, the alternative would have to be effectively a drop in.
I take it there was no road going version. So lets open it up for discussion.
What design features would it need to fulfill that particular use. I would prefer something over engineered like BMW E32/34 stuff. Heck even a Sierra 4X4 had as I recall a very nice alloy one!
Designed to bolt in and accept all stock suspension although as it was originally conceived for James' car as a one off it is dictated around Motorsport use. Fitment uses solid taper mounts which are stainless and bolt into the original locations (iradicates welding necessity) so there is no flex in the mounting bar material elasticity.
As for price I had always worked to £950 inc. VAT as an RRP. This included fitting hardware so diff can be bolted straight in and suspension swapped over relatively easily. The biggest issue with items like this is the division of "want" and "will buy". Not being rude as everyone gets excited over engineered bits but few have a requirement for them or the budget. IF people are genuinely interested in tubular subframes I have the jig setup on workbench still and a box full of machined fittings as they are used on other projects I am involved with so made sense to use generic bosses.
James has some photos of his subframe but his is a true one off as it was prototype then led into development subframe based for his car only.
I only use BS4T45 for subframes, although 15CDV6 is another alternative (again a motorsport specific grade really for framework, linked with Aerospace). Getting correct BS4T45 is key though as many suppliers offer the material as "T45", which is a banded term. It doesnt conform to Aerospace grade without additional certificates for post treatment from the mill. Custom Cages have been caught out by this for supplying chinese sourced material for "T45" cages that was chemically identical but failed to meet structural sampling (25-30% below the minimum Tensile Strength!).
Jay,
Thanks for the replies. I guess its just that I had never seen any other pictures others than James's or heard about anyone else using one on the road with stock components. I am not being critical, it just that the market would have been larger for a replacement. I appreciate there is alway a couple of nutters!
Albert, rust is the biggest problem and thats why most people would be replacing them including myself!
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