There are two mounting positions for the front anti-sway bar, the standard position, and one 20mm more forward to accommodate a dry-sump pumps plumbing.
The amount of triangulation and gusseting used is pretty far-reaching. FEA was used to determine this to reduce stress hot points. Unlike a lot of lightweight subframes, the Verkine is both strong and light due to careful engineering and craftsmanship.
All of the detail work with the elaborate gussets, triangulation, and brackets mean that there is a lot of fabrication time and expense behind each subframe. At first, we thought that perhaps the parts were overpriced compared to other lightweight subframes we have seen but all it took was a few minutes admiring the parts when they arrived at our office to understand the amount of engineering effort and craftsmanship that goes into each one.
As installed the subframes get rid of a whopping 50.7 lbs from the R35. This means that to date, we have shaved an amazing 193 lbs off of our Project R35 all without giving up any utility or comfort features, not gutting for us! We still have a few more tricks to get about another 20-30 lbs off before we stop as well!
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Car weight reduction is such a satisfying modification. Whilst it can be costly, something that benefits handling, braking, and acceleration is well and truly worth it!
weight is easy to validate, easier to work is also pretty easy. but how is “not sacrificing strength” validated? just cause the company that makes it says so doesn’t make it true. Has the strength of this subframe been tested and compared to the oem part by anyone?
The subframe is validated using FEA and the design is sound. As an ME I would have no issues running this at all. Care to volunteer your R35 for destructive subframe testing?
It seems like it would be stronger than stock, IMO. Stamped steel subframe vs. tubular steel with triangulation and gusseting is going to be a nobrainer to an armchair engineer.
Of course, some actual torsional stiffness numbers would be awesome and probably not too hard to for Verkline to generate in FEA, and experimentally.
These are the kind of parts that I would love to spec, compared to a built motor. Should improve every performance metric on the car with absolutely no downsides.
The material is of a higher grade as well.
so the headline says “shaves 49 lbs” but the article says “Venkline rear subframe weighs 34.9 lbs vs the heavy 66.35 lb stamped steel stock part.” Thats a BIG difference between 49 and 31.4
Maybe read the whole article, there is a front subframe too! Also, read the headline, it says 50 lbs.
Mike- you are too kind taking your time to respond to the haters. This is such a cool piece if you are a GTR afficionado or track purist type. Definitely something i could have seen Nissan use on the Nismo.
Especially ones that are too lazy to read!
Hey Mike,
Great write up. I’ve been actively working on cutting weight on my R35 as well. 250lbs shaved so far. I’ve been considering doing this but have a real world application question for you, after installing this have you noticed a difference in center of gravity and handling through corners? Top weight and rotational mass reductions I’ve noticed a significant weight reduction however I’m more cautious of moving the center of gravity for the negative. Could you share your experience thus far?
To be honest, we haven’t tried them yet. Because of supply chain issues, we haven’t been able to get all the parts to finish our GT-R build yet, we are going to do the engine and drivetrain in one big swoop. Stay tuned, it is almost all there, just waiting on the backed up machine shop now.
Do you know is there are any issues with bolting on the lower underbody panels? The stock front and rear panels use about two dozen 10mm screws. I have read Verkline added provisions (tabs/with nuts) to bolt them on but is is for all positions or only a few? I have never seen anyone mention the underbody panel fitment to this Subframes and is the main reason I am hesitant on getting them.
Thanks