4007/4008/4009 67-69 Camaro/Firebird
Please read the following key points b efore installing this kit.
1 – Before performing the subframe connector installation, the vehicle must be completely
assembled with all body and component parts installed (e.g. fenders, hood, quarterpanels,
trunk, full interior, engine, glass, etc.). Basically, the subframe connectors should be one of
the last components installed on your vehicle. Reason being is you want the vehicle settled
with all of it’s own final weight. The car’s body is always in constant tension, with forces
pushing or pulling within the chassis & body. You want to make sure these forces don’t
change after you install the subframe connectors. For example, if you installed subframe
connectors before installing the engine and body panels this may result in having misaligned
fenders, door panels and/or hood later on. The car must be in it’s final state before the
subframe connectors are installed.
2 – Make sure your front subframe is aligned with the body before you installed the subframe
connectors. This can be done in many ways e.g. use alignment holes in the body (
pictures
the rear frame rails are needed to square the body and front subframe. If you install the
subframe connectors before you do this, you will not have access to these alignment holes.
This is one of the reason why you should sq uare the front subframe before installat ion.
) or using a chassis jig. Note: When using a full chassis jig, the alignment holes for
see
3 – The subframe connectors must be installed on an alignment rack or floor ramps (all 4
wheels). The vehicle must be sitting on it’s wheels at ride height in order to install the
subframe connectors. Do not use a two-post lift, as this will load the chassis/body in the
wrong points causing the chassis to tweak.
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4007/4008/4009 67-69 Camaro/Firebird
4007 (Coupe) / 4008 (Convertible)
Subframe Connectors 67-69 Camaro/Firebird
Subframe Connectors 68-74 NOVA
Thank you for your purchase from our new line of F-Body parts.
Please call us at (877) 4NO - ROLL if you have any questions
regarding the service or installation of your Hotchkis products.
Installation pictures were done on a Camaro. Nova installation is the same.
Subframe Connectors
Your new subframe connectors will increase the overall rigidity of your chassis and
improve handling and response. These engineered components connect the rear frame
rails with the front subframe to simul ate a complete full frame chassis.
:
4009
Notes
Before You Start
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:
The subframe connector is essentially a Weld-In component, effectively connecting
itself to the front subframe and rear frame rails. However, you may choose to
bolt-in the front connection to allow front subframe removal if need be. Hardware for
the bolt-in procedure is included.
The installation of these subframe connectors will require you to grind and weld. It is
recommended that a trained professional install this product. Always wear eye
protection when grinding or welding. : Please read the entire manual before starting. All
images will depict the driver side installation.
4007/4008/4009 67-69 Camaro/Firebird
1. Raise Vehicle
It is best to install the subframe connectors at ride height. To do this properly, please
use a 4-Post lift or alignment ra c k. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Replace Subframe Body Mount Bushing
Your kit comes with 2 new polyurethane front subframe body mount bushings. Having
proper bushings will ensure correct fitment of the subframe connectors.
Remove stock bushings.
Install Hotchkis bushings.
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3. Mock up Subframe Conne ctor
Preparation is needed before any welding can begin. First, decide whether you will be
welding in the connector to the front subframe or bolting it in.
Install the subframe connector using the provided 5/8” bolt and the thick washer. Use
a transmission jack to hold the rear end of the connector up. Fully tighten the 5/8” bolt
to see where the connector will position itself. Make sure the rear end of the connector
is butted up against the rear frame rails. This mock-up should simulate how the
connector will be mounted on the vehicl e.
4007/4008/4009 67-69 Camaro/Firebird
Bolt-In: Mark the front subframe to indicate where your bolt holes will be.
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4007/4008/4009 67-69 Camaro/Firebird
Weld-In: Mark the front subframe to indicate where you should grind/sand the paint for
welding. The connector hole will allow you to apply a rosette weld instead of a bolt.
You may also want to mark where the leading edge of the connector lies on the
subframe so you can run a weld bead t here as well.
Mark the rear frame rails along the edge of the connector. This will show you where to
grind the paint/grime off the frame. Don’t forget the outboard tab. This area will be
difficult to access since the leaf spr ing and bracket are in the way.
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4007/4008/4009 67-69 Camaro/Firebird
The inboard Tab will need to be bent inward for a tight fit. Do this by using large
channel locks and squeeze the tab in. Don’t worry if there’s a little gap near the
bottom. You can fill the gap during welding. Leaf Spring Bracket will need to be
detached. See next step.
4. Prepare mounting points for welding/bolting
Remove the connector and start grinding/sanding the paint and grime off of the
vehicle’s frame rail. Unbolt the leaf spring bracket & lower shock mount and raise the
vehicle to access the outboard tab area for grinding. You will have to move the brake
and fuel line out of the way. Remove any tube clamps necessary to achieve this.
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4007/4008/4009 67-69 Camaro/Firebird
Bolt-in: At this time you can drill a ½” hole in the designated mark made earlier on the
front subframe. A right angle drill may work the best for this situation.
Weld-in: Grind/sand near the d esignated area marked earlier on the front subframe.
5. Prepare Subframe Connector for Welding.
Grind around all rosette holes on the connector. Grind/sand anywhere on the
connector that is going to be welded. Use a “rat tail” file to take the paint off the inner
surface of the rosette holes. If you are welding the front, make sure to sand near the
½” holes and front edges.
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4007/4008/4009 67-69 Camaro/Firebird
6. Install the Subframe Connectors onto the Vehicle
Make sure the vehicle is returned to ride height. The front leaf spring mount should be
positioned to its installed state with the weight of the car on the leaf. You do not need
to reinstall the mount bolts at this time. Reinstall the connector like before. Fully
tighten the front 5/8” subframe bolt and use the transmission jack to hold up the rear
end of the connector.
Bolt-in: Install the ½” bolts in subframe holes as shown in the picture. Fully tighten
these bolts at this time.
Weld-in: Rosette weld the front hole on each side. Weld a bead along the leading
edges of the connector.
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4007/4008/4009 67-69 Camaro/Firebird
Tack weld 2-3 of the rosette holes on the inboard tab to the frame rails. Tack weld the
rear edge of the connector. Once you have these minimum welds complete, you may
raise the vehicle again to access the outboard tab. Completely weld both rosettes and
any edges. Lower the vehicle back on it’s wheels and finish the inboard rosette welds
and remaining edges to be we lded. To prote ct the brake lin e (driver si de) and the fuel
line (passenger side) from the welding radiation and sparks, cover them with aluminum
foil.
Outboard Tab
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7. Optional Metal Finishing
Depending on how pretty your welds turn out, you might want to grind down any
“high” welds or weld mistakes before proceeding any further.
8. Paint the Exposed Metal
You may use any paint or undercoat you wish to coat the exposed welded/grinded
areas. We recommend Duplicolor’s Truck Bed Coating. This coating has the perfect
texture and color for this project. It is up to you on how and where you want to mask
off for the coating.
4007/4008/4009 67-69 Camaro/Firebird
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9. Reattach Everything
Reattach your brake line and fuel lines. Fasten the 3 bolts on each leaf spring bracket.
Reattach the lower Shock mount. Double-check to make sure all hardware is fully
tightened.
4007/4008/4009 67-69 Camaro/Firebird
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4007/4008/4009 67-69 Camaro/Firebird
Hotchkis Performance LLC
Return Policy & Limited Warra nty
Effective December 1, 2010 all Hotchkis products must be registered to qualify for warranty at
www.hotchkis.net or via the mail-in warranty card, included with the product, within 30 days of
the original purchase date.
IMPORTANT: This warranty supersedes all other warranties included with this product.
Return Policy
We want you to be completel y satisfied with your Hotc hkis Perform ance product. For products, presenting signs
of shipping damage pleas e contact the freight carrier immediately. All our pr oducts are guaranteed to be free
from manufacturer’s defects. If your order arrives with a manufacture defect, please contact our Customer
Service Department at ( 562) 907-7757. You will be ass igned a Returned Goods Authorizati on Number (RGA).
The package you ret urn must show the RGA on the outside of t he package, include the original invoice and be
shipped prepaid to our facility. The product has to be unused and in its original pack aging m aterials. Exchanges
or refunds made after 30 days will be subject to a 20% rest ocking charge. If you purchased your Hotchkis
Performance product from an authorized dealer, you are still covered by this return policy. All returns
however, should be made to your dealer, not to Hotchkis Performance directly.
Limited Warranty
Hotchkis Performance offers a Limited Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship for the term of 36
months (3 years) from the date of purchase of this product. This Warranty only applies to the original retail
purchaser who retains ownership of the vehicle on which the produc t was originally installed. If the product is
Hotchkis Performance LLC . 12
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