Question for 1st Gen owners that have aftermarket front sub

I've been researching aftermarket subframes and performance improvements.
Those drag racing with them say they "straighten" out the car's problems. But my question is how the car handles overall? Do the cars handle well enough to autocross for instance, or is Z28 performance not to be expected? I guess I'm interested in more than just straight line performance...I want to be able to turn corners too. What's been your experience?

From what I've read (since mine isn't on the street yet), yes, the aftermarket clips do work very well for performance driving. They are much more rigid and stronger (less flexing etc.) than the stock sheetmetal front clips. Some have had a lot of engineering to ensure correct steering geometry as well. Most aftermarket clips have options for brake vendor & brake sizes, dropped spindles, rack & pinion steering, allow for bigger wheels & tires, options for air bags, coil overs, struts, etc. There are also a lot of options for the stock suspension such as from Global West, CPP, & others.

There are now rear suspension options such as bolt in 4 link setups, coil overs, air bags, as well as all the brake options. The sky is the limit these days. A lot of the stuff has only become available within the last few years. There are a lot of guys on this web board with a little of everything, so you should be able to get some very good data to help make your decision. Good luck and have fun.

What's the ETA for getting that beast on the street Seattle? It must be sprouting roots in the garage floor by now.:D

I think it may depend on what you really want. For instance you can make a few modifications to the stock front suspension to make it handle very nice. Ask Mike Goble about the durango duece project.

For me I went with an aftermarket front suspension and really like it. There is a lot more room in the engine compartment, front end alignment is a piece of cake. I can also have power rack and pinion steering, run a stock rear sump oil pan. It also allows me to run much wider tires on front.

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What's the ETA for getting that beast on the street Seattle? It must be sprouting roots in the garage floor by now.:D

Yes, I have to run the weedeater around it once in a while to get to it! Now that I'm retired you would think I have all the time in the world to get it finished...but I've now got my girlfriends Nova race car here that we're putting in a new engine along with several other modifications that require fabrication and I've been looking hard for a street rod for several months which meant flying around the country to look at them. I just bought the street rod and it's being shipped next week, and we dropped the engine in her Nova but it still needs a fair amount of work to get it ready for the race season...the dreaded "deadline" to meet just like the reality shows. Also I've done a bit of consulting on the side too. Bottom line it sounds like a lot of excuses to me :D I really would love to finish it this summer.

Thanks for the input on subframes. I want my cake and to be able to eat it too...

Seriously though, I want to bracket race for awhile but then have the option of making it a handling/touring type car. If it handles as well as a 91 Z28 I'd be happy.

I don't think you will regret it either way...it's a win win situation.