Suby cradle, rethinking all conversion cradles. Options

[ruby914]

When I started my WRX914 ,I didn't want to modify the car to fit the WRX.
Before long I found myself cutting and welding quite a bit. Looking back, it will never be a stock 914 again.
So why did I use the stock 914 X bar mounts? Like most, I am sure, because they are there. I was basing my decisions off a model for a kit (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
They are great for plug and play but I have a welder.

Seems they are not in the best location for the WRX motor. It seems to me that the rear suspension inboard ears (Inner console) are just about the best location to tie into.

The Inner console would no longer be indirectly supporting the motor but directly supporting it reducing the load transferred to the tub.
It seems this would stiffen the Inner console as well.
When I originally did my "cradle" I did add a little extra tie-in to the ear but it is not taking the bulk of the load.
I am thinking, if I reinforce the Inner console and tap my x member 100% into the Inner console, I can remove all other "cradle" tubing.

Has any one else taken this route? Any thoughts why not? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[ruby914]

I would worry about the structural integrity. Porsche designed the mounts to hold the engine where it is. If you beef up the suspension console, it might be OK. But you are transferring the load to an area not designed to hold it.

The suspension pushes up. the engine and tranny push down...

These were all my thoughts as well but if you move the engine and trans directly to the beefed up console, wouldn't you be taking the load off the console to frame connection. At that point the console would only be carrying the frame with out the motor.

You pic is a little hard to see what you have going on.

I have been staring at a svx 6 design cradle. I was looking at a way to tie the rear suspension ears into the cradle with a front mount like the factory 6 or a version along those lines. I want to use the subaru engine mounts and have the frame tied into the front,ear,engine in a triangle and a cross bar under and around the oil pan to the back /or/ tie in at the factory subaru bottom trany mounts? But the ears are the bastard in the mix. I will probably end up boxing them in all on there own, the last thing i want to do is pull one ear out of place with the tork and flex of the engine/cradle?

The newer subarus have had the engine mounts moved to the trany, and in front center like the 914-6. I have aslo toyed with the idea of hanging a big U from the rear firewall with a 6 style front.

good luck

jcl

Good point guys. I don't know about the SVX but if the newer Subys moved the mount to the front that would be better for the 914 X bar location.

If I am not mistaken the torque would be all up and down equally on both of the
suspension console ears.

I made a fast SketchUp drawing of what I have now. I didn't show the motor mounts on the X bar. I am using the Suby rubber mounts. I think others are solid mounting at the motor and rubber mount at the frame. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)