Forgive me for not being able to find this out by searching, but other than Pettit what are my options for a 20B subframe in an FD? I came across this: https://www.rx7club.com/20b-forum-95/20b-subframe-bolt-bumpsteer-correction-kit-220167/, but he is no longer making these subframes.

Am I doomed to use the Pettit solution?

 

Hey hakeem check with hinsonsupercars.com they are making them.

 

there's some pretty good info HERE

 

Hey,
I'm presently doing my 20B FD conversion. I have the HinsonSupercars.com subframe. He does excellent work. The frame has solid mounts and fits the 20B stock motor mounts. It will allow for stock hood clearence, but not many of the aftermarket versions of hoods. It does move the steering rack which will affect your bumpsteer. We will fire the car up in March or April for a first run on this set-up, so I'll have more info then as to the functionality of this frame, but so far, it's reasonable.

Aaron

 

Thanks for this. Does anyone have a source for the 20B stock mounts? The motor I am getting does not appear to come with them, or is it possible to use 13B mounts? I'd rather not mount this thing solidly if I can avoid it...

 

For mounts, you can check with the club members as that's where I picked up the missing one I needed. Otherwise, you can go through Mazdamotorsports.com to order them new from Japan. You'll need to registar as a racer to get them through them, but you'll get them cheaper. I got the one I needed for about $100. The solid mounts on the Hinson frame can be changed to rubber or urethane if you want.

Aaron

 

Can't you mount the 20B in the stock location (of the 13B), use custom motor mounts, don't touch the steering rack, eliminating the need for a custom subframe completely? You'd just need to chop and port accordingly the LIM and make a custom oilpan...am I correct? (Haven't done this...this is from what I've read). I don't see any downsides to this...vs. going w/ a custom subframe and messing w/ the steering rack (just my preference, but I'd want to leave it alone like it is).

 

You can do the chopping as described, but it's a lot of additional time, fab work, and money.

 

I'm def. w/ you there...and obviously this conversion is already expensive as it is, so you prob. don't wanna add extra cost to it. But having said that, if cost and labor were put aside, are there drawbacks to this method, vs. going w/ a custom subframe? Or is a custom subframe simply done for ease and cost-effectiveness?

 

I think you are right on the money with ease and cost effectiveness for this. There are so many other pits to throw money in on this project without adding more at this point. Of course, when mine runs this spring, I may change my tune if bumpsteer and turning radius becomes a huge issue.

Aaron

 

i got my 20B subframe from Sean at a-spec... www.a-spectuning.com perfect fit!


good luck

 

In case anyone doesn't notice, the link won't work cuz it's misspelled (it happens...). http://www.a-spectuning.com/

 

how much?

 

Doomed? Pettit has been doing this longer than anyone else and has most likely converted more FDs to 20Bs. Thier solution works and contrary to many of the posts on this forum, doesn't not increase bump steer. Pettit modifies the front spindles to set the car geometry back to stock.

I've only had my 20B conversion for a short time - it was converted by Pettit. The conversion looks like a stock/OEM job and is extremely high quality. Now if I can just solve the last of my Wolf ECU issues (see my thread under 3rd gen Pettit 20B conversion), I'll be set!

 

Thanks David, I actually tracked the progress of your car and it does look fantastic. Congrats!

I didn't mean to infer that Pettit's product was of subpar quality, rather that (from my possible misinformatino) it is quite pricey in comparison to the HSE/ASpec model, which appears to be going for around $1700 including the bumpsteer correction stuff.

 

theres another place that has subframes http://www.autotechmotorsports.com/projects-20bfd.htm
it moves the engine lower and rearward so better center gravity and the steering rack stays in stock location. Those are only the pros. I think since the engine is moved rearward the ppf has to be custom but they say the shifter is almost same as stock location so I dont know. just my 2cents
for fdneewb the link posted at the top has lots of info on using stock subframe from an fd. The best i think is that u can save the money from not buying a custom subframe and spending it on a dry sump kit.

 

bolo_fd, thanks a LOT for that link. Wow...I wonder how they managed that w/ simply a subframe...sitting the engine so low AND moving it so far back w/o cutting into the firewall... Anyone here w/ more info/knowledge care to chime in on how it's possible?

EDIT: I couldn't even find a link to the subframe...do they sell it, or do they have to do the conversion for you?

 

I just got off the phone with them - they are claiming ~$2k to do the mounting work, but need the car at hand to get it done. Not a problem as I live in LA, but I am of course a little sceptical.

I will report in when they call back with more info.

 

thats great maybe u can talk to them in person and take a look at one of there cars that they have converted. Please report back. I think they have the best subframe that I've seen or heard of.

 

too bad they want the car, id grab one but I cant afford to ship a car from massachusetts to california and back

 

I've actually decided to go with a local fabrication shop who did the work on my SR20DET powered 240Z. I'll post pictures of the progress - my instruction is to have it as low and far back as possible, not to disturb the steering, and to cut/refab the firewall if needs be.

 

you'll need a new ppf if the engines sits furtur back than an 13b and the shifter will be beside u instead of infront. theres pros and cons of any setup, it all depends on the owner

 

Yes on the PPF (or you can cut it), and you prob have to shorten the driveshaft too. But the shifter can remain in the stock location if you put it through the unused access tunnel in the tranny, that currently sits in front of where the shifter is coming out of.

 

if u move the shifter to the unused opening wouldn't u have to modify the control rod in the tranny???