4013 74-81 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 its final state before the
subframe connectors are installed.
2 – The subframe connectors must be installed on an alignment rack or floor ramps (all 4
wheels). The vehicle must be sitting on its 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 t weak.
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4013 74-81 Camaro / Firebird
4013
Subframe Connectors 74-81 Camaro / Firebird
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.
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.
:
70-74 F-body Connectors Shown
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.
4013 74-81 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. Prepare Subframe Pieces for Welding
Subframe pieces come fully powder coated so you will want to first prep them for the
welding process. Sa nd the rear mounts of the subframe connector. Make sure you file
inside the rosette weld holes also.
3. Remove Screws
Remove the screws th at hold the brake/fuel lines a gainst the body
…
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4. Mark Area to Be Sanded
Position the subframe into p lace and mark the area in the rear that will need to be
sanded down to prepare the surface for welding.
4013 74-81 Camaro / Firebird
5. Remove Old Bushings
Unscrew and remove all old bushing pieces. You will not need these pieces any longer,
so you are free to discard them if you wish.
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6. Install New Bushings
Place the thin washer and top bushing on top of the frame and then slide the sleeve
into place. Install the bottom bushing and thick washer next, slide the supplied bolt up
and tighten.
4013 74-81 Camaro / Firebird
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7. Prepare for Welding
Use a screw jack to hold the subframe connector in place. Make sure you protect any
lines that might possibly be in the line of fir e of the welding process.
4013 74-81 Camaro / Firebird
8. Weld Frame
Weld the subframe into plac e using the pre-drilled holes for rosette welds and also
along the edges of the subframe that come in contact with the frame.
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9. Paint and Replace Lines
After welds have cooled down, spray paint any areas exposing raw metal to protect
from rusting. Then put all lines ba ck into place and tighten.
10. Drill Holes & Install Bolts
On the front end of the subframe connector, mark the center of each hole and drill a
hole through the frame. Use a ½” drill bit to get the hole in the frame to the same size
as the hole in the connector, big enough for the supplied bolts to fit. Install bolts and
fully tighten.
Passenger Side:
4013 74-81 Camaro / Firebird
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4013 74-81 Camaro / Firebird
Note: The Driver Side does not have this Line Tab. Mark & drill the hole in
the same manner as the rest of the holes.
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4013 74-81 Camaro / Firebird
11. Double Check
Double check all of the hardware and you are finished.
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4013 74-81 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 t he 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 Hotchk is Perform ance product. For products , presentin g 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 fac ility. The product has to be unused and in its original pac kaging m aterials. Exchanges
or refunds made after 30 days will be subject to a 20% restoc king 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
determined to be defective, Hotchkis Performance will repair, replace or refund the purchase price of the defective
product at Hotchkis Performance's sole discretion, which shall fully satisfy and discharge any and all warranty
claims. Any repaired or replaced product will be returned to the sender excluding the cost of freight.
must be registered to qualify for warr anty at www.hotchkis.net or via the mail-in warranty card, included
with the product, within 30 days of the original purchase date.
Products
Exclusions from Warranty
Items offered but not manufactured by Hotchkis Performance are warranted according to the manufacturer's
terms and are not co vered by this l imited warr anty. Hotchk is Perform ance shal l not be r esponsibl e for an y labor,
removal, installation, re-installation or m aintenance costs. This warranty does not cov er the cosmetic finish or
plating of any product or any norm al wear and t ear to any prod uct incl uding , but not l im ited to bushi ngs, bra ck ets,
end-links, hardware, steer ing components, shocks or springs. In ad dition, this warranty does not apply to an y
products that have been:
Improperly installed or installed by someone other than a qualified, licensed auto mechanic
experienced in the installation and removal of suspension products;
Improperly serviced, misused, or modified, altered or subjected to abuse, negligence, accident or
collision;
Installed in any vehicle that has been mod ified;
Installed on any vehicle that has carried loads in excess of automobile manufacturer suggested
weight limits; or
Installed on any vehicle that has been subject to abnormal or excessive use, including rallying,
racing, or racing-type activities or off-road use.
Limitation of Warranty
This limited warranty is the entire a nd on ly warranty for the products and may not be modified or supplemented by
any other person or company in any form . Any description of the products , by anyone, is f or the sole purpose of
identifying them and is not part of the basis of the bargain, and d oes not constitute a warranty that the products
will co nform to that des cription. The sta tements of an y salespers on do not constit ute part of this limited warr anty
and cannot be relied upon as a warranty.
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