Here are a few preliminary findings from trial fitting an Audi A3 / S3 8V aluminum subframe to a Mk7 Gti:
All machined holes in the aluminum piece match the pressed steel version (main subframe - body bolt holes, A-arm bushing mounting holes, steering rack fixture holes, arb mounting points. Weight is down almost three kilos (6 lbs or so) according to my entirely unscientific measuring device).
The piece is simply beautiful. Cast aluminum, machined mounting surfaces, reinforcement webbing on all chamfers, etc etc. Just by looking at it, images of CAD designing, production blueprinting, fiery casting and precision machining come to mind.
Really can't say whether the aluminum subframe is any stiffer / better than the pressed steel version, but why would VAG produce it and equip the more expensive A3/S3 with it otherwise?
Regardless, if it makes it on (under!) my Gti, and even if no-one else ever sees it, it will give me a warm fuzzy feeling every time I drive my "econo-hatch" ;-) 3
Final fitment will hopefully take place tomorrow and I will of course update this thread. In the meantime, here are a few pics taken with my ancient camera (pro pics will come whenever I'm authorized to release them):
Final fitment validation tomorrow les amis!!
(I dig this so much it's sad. Are we all just nuts??? ;-)
All machined holes in the aluminum piece match the pressed steel version (main subframe - body bolt holes, A-arm bushing mounting holes, steering rack fixture holes, arb mounting points. Weight is down almost three kilos (6 lbs or so) according to my entirely unscientific measuring device).
The piece is simply beautiful. Cast aluminum, machined mounting surfaces, reinforcement webbing on all chamfers, etc etc. Just by looking at it, images of CAD designing, production blueprinting, fiery casting and precision machining come to mind.
Really can't say whether the aluminum subframe is any stiffer / better than the pressed steel version, but why would VAG produce it and equip the more expensive A3/S3 with it otherwise?
Regardless, if it makes it on (under!) my Gti, and even if no-one else ever sees it, it will give me a warm fuzzy feeling every time I drive my "econo-hatch" ;-) 3
Final fitment will hopefully take place tomorrow and I will of course update this thread. In the meantime, here are a few pics taken with my ancient camera (pro pics will come whenever I'm authorized to release them):
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi20.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb233%2FJaminBen1%2FGti%2520S3%2520subframe%2520and%2520SuperPro%2520bushing%2520A-Arms%2520arbs%2FDSC_0076_zpswjdq6qhc.jpg&hash=934075e90b63bb4577ab5f83ed902a85)
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi20.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb233%2FJaminBen1%2FGti%2520S3%2520subframe%2520and%2520SuperPro%2520bushing%2520A-Arms%2520arbs%2FDSC_0078_zpswzgn8vx8.jpg&hash=682c9dfda0b14b713f7124e9396fefb3)
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi20.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb233%2FJaminBen1%2FGti%2520S3%2520subframe%2520and%2520SuperPro%2520bushing%2520A-Arms%2520arbs%2FDSC_0079_zpsxaqurfhb.jpg&hash=23bc2c2647527fda250e5151ed8872e7)
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi20.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb233%2FJaminBen1%2FGti%2520S3%2520subframe%2520and%2520SuperPro%2520bushing%2520A-Arms%2520arbs%2FDSC_0080_zpssgr5s60e.jpg&hash=b53f971c742035f1a4e596656a98e0d6)
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi20.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb233%2FJaminBen1%2FGti%2520S3%2520subframe%2520and%2520SuperPro%2520bushing%2520A-Arms%2520arbs%2FDSC_0093_zpsyjpfwr7s.jpg&hash=3d5f2087d58de1fa701f5c6d3d2a5583)
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi20.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb233%2FJaminBen1%2FGti%2520S3%2520subframe%2520and%2520SuperPro%2520bushing%2520A-Arms%2520arbs%2FDSC_0090_zpszcchph9o.jpg&hash=4b6e72a0ee552cc980863fe76b5536f0)
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fi20.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fb233%2FJaminBen1%2FGti%2520S3%2520subframe%2520and%2520SuperPro%2520bushing%2520A-Arms%2520arbs%2FDSC_0115_zpsgjuylmgl.jpg&hash=a1320286f5991438e49418dd4f3aa582)
Final fitment validation tomorrow les amis!!
(I dig this so much it's sad. Are we all just nuts??? ;-)
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