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Boxed Weld-In Subframe Connectors for the 1982-1992 Camaro and Firebird, Black Powder Coat
A third generation F-body has no factory structure joining the front subframe to the rear frame rails, which is why the body flexes over bumps and under load. These boxed connectors weld in at six major points and tie into the lower control arm mounting point rather than simply running past it, so the load path picks up the strongest part of the floor structure. The set is three pieces so the passenger side can jog over the exhaust.
Key Features
- Three piece design giving six major weld points, with a one piece driver side and a two piece passenger side for exhaust clearance.
- Built from 2.000 inch by 1.250 inch by 0.120 inch wall mild steel rectangular tubing.
- Mounting points are CNC machined from 0.188 inch thick mild steel.
- Ties into the lower control arm mounting point rather than sitting alongside it, which UMI cites as the source of the extra strength.
- Precision MIG welded in-house, then powder coated.
- Fits hard top, T-Top and convertible bodies.
- UMI states the connectors do not affect ground clearance.
- All necessary hardware and detailed installation instructions are supplied in the box.
Fitment
| Vehicle | Application |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet Camaro | 1982-1992, third generation F-body, hard top, T-Top and convertible |
| Pontiac Firebird | 1982-1992, third generation F-body, hard top, T-Top and convertible |
Exhaust exclusion, published in UMI's own words on the installation sheet that ships in the box: Note: May not fit 88-92 models with dual catalytic converters. This is the stronger of two published versions of the same caveat and it is the one reproduced here. UMI's product page states the softer version, that minor adjustments to the subframe connectors or exhaust may be needed for dual catalytic converter equipped cars. Plan for the install sheet wording.
The same sheet gives the design context: the connectors are designed around a stock platform running a factory single catalytic converter system, and certain exhaust systems may require adjustment on the passenger side.
These are 1982-1992 third generation parts. UMI's fourth generation subframe connector article describes different parts for 1993-2002 cars and is not fitment evidence for this part number.
Specifications
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | UMI Performance |
| Manufacturer part number | 2400-B |
| Base part number | 2400 |
| Part type | Boxed weld-in subframe connectors |
| Installation method | Weld-in, with the lower control arm front bolts reused through the connector |
| Tubing | 2.000 inch by 1.250 inch by 0.120 inch wall mild steel rectangular tubing |
| Mounting points | CNC machined 0.188 inch thick mild steel |
| Piece count | Three pieces giving six major weld points; driver side is one piece, passenger side is two |
| Colour and finish | Black powder coat |
| Sold as | Set for one car, described by dealers as a pair |
| Body styles | Hard top, T-Top and convertible |
| Ground clearance | Not affected, per UMI |
| Hardware included | Yes; UMI states all necessary hardware and detailed installation instructions are included |
| Hardware counts, sizes and grades | Not itemised on the installation sheet or by any dealer record |
| Published torque | None as a specification. UMI states only that it may be necessary to tighten the front control arm bolts as much as 72 ft-lb in order to compress the bushing |
| Welding requirement | Suspension must be completely loaded and level while welding; UMI recommends a trained automotive technician with welding experience only |
| Length and set weight | Not published by UMI |
| Country of manufacture | United States, built by UMI Performance in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania |
| Manufacturer warranty | UMI's published policy is a two year limited warranty from the original date of purchase to the original purchaser, covering defects in materials and workmanship, excluding normal wear on items such as bearings and bushings, misuse, improper installation, alteration and exceeding the design limits of the part |
| In-box warranty text | The printed installation sheet carries a narrower disclaimer that states ALL PARTS ARE WARRANTED TO BE FREE OF DEFECT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, disclaims other express and implied warranties, and limits remedy to replacement of parts. It is not the same document as the two year policy and neither text is a Black Ops Auto Works promise |
What's Included
- One driver side connector, piece A
- Two passenger side connector pieces, B and C
- Bolts and nuts to reattach the lower control arms, counts and sizes not itemised by UMI
- One UMI installation sheet
About UMI Performance
UMI Performance designs and manufactures chassis and suspension parts at 509 Hemlock Street in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, using North American raw material, in-house laser cutting, CNC bending and fixture welding. Subframe connectors are one of UMI's oldest F-body products, and the company publishes third generation and fourth generation installation articles alongside the parts.
Related Parts
FAQ
Will these fit my 1990 car with dual catalytic converters?Possibly not. The installation sheet that ships in the box says: Note: May not fit 88-92 models with dual catalytic converters. UMI's product page uses softer language about minor adjustments to the connectors or the exhaust, but the sheet is the document in the box and it is the one to plan around. The connectors were designed around a stock platform running a factory single catalytic converter system.
Do they bolt in?No. They are weld-in connectors. The front lower control arm bolt passes through the connector and holds it in position, but the connector is only secured once it is welded at both front mounting points and both sides of the rear mounting point on each side.
Why does the suspension have to be loaded before welding?Because welding a chassis brace into a car sitting on stands locks the body into an unloaded shape. UMI's sheet is explicit: Vehicles suspension MUST be completely loaded and level while welding, with the rear tires on blocks or ramps and the complete weight of the vehicle resting on them. UMI also specifies where the jack stands go, two under each front A-arm and two on the inner frame rails at the rear, and states: Do not place jack stands under rear axle.
Can I install these at home without welding experience?UMI says no. Its sheet states that this installation is recommended to be performed by a trained automotive technician with welding experience only, and that if you feel you are not capable of completing this installation please do not attempt. UMI adds that it is not responsible for incorrect installation of this product.
Is 72 ft-lb the torque specification for the control arm bolts?No, and it should not be treated as one. UMI's exact wording is that it may be necessary to tighten the front control arm bolts as much as 72 ft-lb in order to compress the bushing. That is an upper figure describing what bushing compression can take, published with its qualifier intact, not a torque specification.
Why is the passenger side two pieces?For exhaust clearance. The driver side is a single piece, and the passenger side splits into pieces B and C so the jog-over section can be fitted above the exhaust with approximately half an inch of clearance to the top of a stock system. Aftermarket exhaust routing may change that clearance.
What hardware comes in the box?UMI states that all necessary hardware and detailed installation instructions are included, and the sheet confirms that provided bolts and nuts reattach the lower control arms. Unlike some UMI kits, this sheet does not print an itemised parts table, so exact counts, sizes and grades are not published.
Will they fit a 1993-2002 fourth generation car?No. This part number is published for 1982-1992 cars only. UMI does publish a fourth generation subframe connector article, but it describes different parts and is not fitment evidence for this one.
Do they reduce ground clearance?UMI states that they do not affect ground clearance. No measured drop figure is published, and no connector length or set weight is published either.
What is the difference between this and the other colour?Only the powder coat. This is the black version; the red version is the same part number family and the same three piece design. Choose on appearance alone.
Which UMI warranty applies, the two year policy or the text printed on the instruction sheet?They are two different documents. UMI's policies page publishes a two year limited warranty to the original purchaser against defects in materials and workmanship, with exclusions for normal wear on bushings and bearings, improper installation, alteration and exceeding the design limits of the part. The disclaimer printed on UMI's installation sheets is narrower and says parts are warranted to be free of defect at the time of purchase, with remedy limited to replacement. Read the policies page as the customer facing warranty and the sheet as the in-box legal notice. Neither one is a Black Ops Auto Works warranty.
Installation Instructions
- Raise and support the car with two jack stands under each front A-arm and two on the inner frame rails at the rear. In UMI's words, do not place jack stands under rear axle.
- Jack the rear end until the lower control arms are close to parallel with the ground. Disregard the first two steps if you are using a drive-on lift.
- Remove the lower control arm front bolts using two 18 mm wrenches.
- Position the driver side connector, piece A, with its U-shaped section over the rear lower control arm mount and the rear mounting point outboard of the subframe and control arm mount.
- Reattach the lower control arm using the provided bolt through the connector, the subframe and the control arm, and leave the nut finger tight. Repeat on the passenger side with piece B, leaving piece C off for now.
- Raise the connectors flush, mark the weld areas, remove the connectors, then strip paint and rust from both the connector and the vehicle subframe.
- Load the suspension before welding. UMI's words are: Vehicles suspension MUST be completely loaded and level while welding. UMI recommends placing the rear tires on blocks or ramps and letting the complete weight of the vehicle rest on the blocks or ramps.
- Reinstall the connectors and weld a bead around both front mounting points and both sides of the rear mounting point, then repeat on the passenger side.
- Fit piece C above the passenger side exhaust with approximately 1/2 inch clearance to the top of a stock exhaust; aftermarket exhaust may vary.
- Mark, clean and weld piece C, then touch up every weld point with rust preventive paint.
- Lower the car to ride height and tighten the lower control arm mounts so the bushings compress. UMI states that it may be necessary to tighten the front control arm bolts as much as 72 ft-lb in order to compress the bushing.
Safety requirements reproduced from UMI's installation sheet for part 2400. Vehicles suspension MUST be loaded while welding. This installation is recommended to be performed by a trained automotive technician with welding experience only. If you feel you are not capable of completing this installation please do not attempt. UMI Performance Incorporated is not responsible for incorrect installation of this product. The same sheet carries UMI's in-box disclaimer, which states that all parts are warranted to be free of defect at the time of purchase, disclaims other express and implied warranties, and limits remedy to replacement of parts.
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