E46 REINFORCED FRONT SUBFRAME

Out of all the mods available for the E46, this is one of the most important modifications you should consider if you drive your car hard or plan on adding more power. The Garagistic reinforced front subframe arrives with a fresh coat of black military-spec powder coating, in addition to welded reinforcements plates that strengthen the engine mounts, and control arm ball joint mounts. Adding reinforcements is necessary to prevent the notorious cracking, bending, or breaking that e46 subframes are known for. Stock E46 subframes which are being used in a motor swapped car, S54 to JZ, and anything in-between will eventually need to be reinforced to ensure the longevity of your vehicle; it’s simply a must-have if you are using stiffer or solid engine mounts. Stock E46 front subframes after 25 years have lived a pretty hard life. It is common for E46s to have filthy subframes with ripped motor mounts in the E46 world.

Often times, the first modification E46 owners will do is reinforce their subframes; and forums are littered with issues regarding subframe warping and cracking on the engine mounting points accompanied by testimonials of just how much of a costly repair it can be. This holds especially true with motor swapped E46s with heavier and more powerful engines (LS1, S5X, M60, turbo, etc). It's as "bolt up" as it gets! These are a must for tracked vehicles.

E46 REINFORCED FRONT SUB-FRAME FEATURES:

• Black Mil-Spec Powder Coat
• Fits all E46s, Including M3
• Reinforced engine mounts (including gusseted section)
• Reinforced front control arm mounting points
• Reinforces known weak points on the subframe
• Inexpensive insurance against failure
• Allows for safe use of solid/stiff motor mounts

Important Notes:

We inspect all of our subframes for straightness and any obvious signs of damage before modification. The forces created from the flex in these old chassis under extreme driving conditions would often lead to the E46 eating its subframes, and the addition of stiffer suspension components and engine swaps in search of more power simply magnifies this effect. That being said, these 15-year-old+ chassis have some history so the subframe you receive may not be an exact fit for your car. E46 chassis' do flex quite a bit over time but they can also be made to fit your new subframe with some simple techniques. If you have an alignment issue with your new subframe, please reach out to us immediately. The longer you wait to install the subframe, the more difficult it becomes for us to provide you with adequate support.

CORE EXCHANGE PROGRAM

This is a core exchange program. You send your stock straight/rust-free subframe in, we add camber/toe adjustment brackets as well differential reinforcements and send it back! This is a bolt up way to get an adjustable subframe that has both camber and toe adjustment with eccentric hardware. Send us back your STRAIGHT/RUST-FREE core and we will refund you the core charge.

We can modify BMW E28, E30, E32, E34, E36 318ti, and Z3 rear subframes. By default these subframes come with the camber tabs welded so that the lowest point is where the factory hole is. That means you will only be able to dial out camber (90% of E30's need it like this).

Under certain circumstances or by customer request we can weld them so you can dial in even more negative camber. For toe we weld them centered. That means you will have .625 adjustment in both directions from factory. Again, this covers 90% of E30's. If you have an alignment sheet or need the adjustment only one way, let us know and we will accommodate you. We also offer as an added option trailing arm mounting point reinforcement gussets. These are recommended for wheel to wheel racers, drifters, and the hardest of track use where some contact or rough use is to be expected. They help to reinforce the pocket where the trailing arm mounts adding that additional support to strengthen them and prevent bending or breaking. Pictures of them installed can be found HERE These are spec E30 legal!

HOW LONG DOES THE MODIFICATION TAKE?

To ensure a quality and more durable part, we now powder coat all of our subframes at no additional cost. If you do not supply a core and we must source one, then add another week. So anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks depending on options. Supplying your subframe speeds the process along. You can use the box it comes in to ship your old subframe back. Your reworked subframe will come with our eccentric hardware. If you choose to send your core in to be worked, you will not be charged the core fee. If you will sending in your core after you received the rework you will be charged the core fee. Once we receive your core we refund you within 7-9 days using the method you paid with (if within 30 days of receipt).

NOTE: WE PRESS IN OUR SUBFRAME BUSHINGS FREE OF CHARGE. If you add the bushings to your cart we can press them into the subframe at no extra cost.

CORE EXCHANGE OPTIONS

This will explain the core options. If you chose "I will supply my subframe upfront". You will not pay the core charge upfront. We will wait until we get your subframe which is why you are not charged. This option is the fastest. Supplying your subframe speeds the process along. If we must source a core then this adds a week to turn around time. Providing us your core is the best way to ensure it is identical to what is on your car. While E30, and Z3 subframes are all functionally the same fit there are minor differences in abs routing tabs, exhaust hanger pick up points etc that we do not differentiate between. This is especially true with E30 M3 subframes.

All of the subframes we stock will work across the model cars that are listed here, but if we are not re-working your subframe expect that there may be some minor differences between what you receive and what is on your car. If you chose "I will return my subframe after", then you will be charged the $200 core fee upfront. This will also add a week to the turn around time because we must source a core to modify for you. If you choose "I will not be sending in my core" then you will be charged the $200 core fee. This will also add a week to the turn around time.

CORES MUST BE RETURNED IN 30 DAYS FOR A REFUND. ALL CORES RETURNED AFTER 30 DAYS ARE ONLY ELIGIBLE FOR STORE CREDIT NO EXCEPTIONS. ALL CORES MUST BE IN OEM UN MODIFIED CONDITION, WE DO NOT ACCEPT PREVIOUSLY MODIFIED COMPONENTS FOR CORE. SERIOUS RUST ISSUES, MAJOR CRACKS, OR BENT SUBFRAMES ARE ALSO NOT ACCEPTED AS A CORE. SOME MINOR CRACKS MAY BE ACCEPTABLE PLEASE CONTACT US WITH PHOTOS FIRST.