Tubular K member worth it?

[V]

How necessary /useful is a tubular k member really?

The car it would be for is NOT a race car, nor a real street/strip car.
It'll be a show car and cruiser with rare trips to a track(maybe 1-2 times a year if that).

I was first considering it merely due to the ease of install, added room, and such. But once installed its not a part that I will be taking full advantage of.

By using the stock k-member with minor mods, I could save $400+.
I've been reading about fitment issues, problems using stock front control arms(which I will be), and possible cracking with street use.

[LTb1ow]

Mine makes my life real easy with fitting stuff, however it def leaves your oil pan exposed.

[PolarBear]

My opinion for a "true" street car, it isn't worth it. Spend the money and put an alarm in it

[V]

if I use the stock one, I have to notch for the A/C and "clearance" for the oil pan.
The a/c notch is fine, but the room for the oil pan worries me, its tight. I may just have a good welder mod the back end by like an inch.

The only good tubular brand I've come across in my research is the BMR unit BUT you need to use their tubular A-arms too that that's a big extra expense($500) At that point, a bmr setup would cost more than the car did in the first place.

[Jersey Mike]

Keep it factory and have an additional set of keys cut?

[PolarBear]

Originally Posted by V

if I use the stock one, I have to notch for the A/C and "clearance" for the oil pan.
The a/c notch is fine, but the room for the oil pan worries me, its tight. I may just have a good welder mod the back end by like an inch.

If you're cutting/welding for the AC, how much more is the notch really? not much more work. If you WANT to spend money, get the Holley pan, plenty of room for the pan AND you can do a stock style 3rd gen Y pipe, which is what I was planning on doing.

Originally Posted by Jersey Mike

Keep it factory and have an additional set of keys cut?

[Dudbird113]

I love mine, so much more room to get to stuff.

[coolmanvette75]

I really love mine. First time I had to work on the car on my back I was amazed at how much easier it actually was to do stuff...

[LTb1ow]

Originally Posted by coolmanvette75

I really love mine. First time someone else had to work on the car on their back I was amazed at how much easier it actually was to do stuff...

Fixed.

[sweetbmxrider]

I like mine but its a 4th gen and it fit. It opens up sooo much room. I haven't had an issue street driving mine but the corners have gussets welded to them. If the holley pan clears, that sounds like a better option.

[Blackbirdws6]

Looking at mine on jack stands is nice but we will see how it does on the road. There is definitely some more room to work which is a big plus since I typically can't fit myself anywhere. I purchased the road race version due to some of the concerns you mentioned. We will see how it does.

[V]

Im gonna go about just modding the stock one. It'll be a cruiser/toy more than anything. the ls1 and hatch are already decent weight reduction. If I decide to build the motor more in a few years, i can swap to a tubular one then. I just need to look into how swap longtubes fit with the stock k. Im not supercharged or turbo so the extra room really helps me little.

ill change all the front end bushings when its all apart and paint everything nice.

[chknhwk01]

TRACK OR STREET,I HAVE A "SPOHN" ON ITS GREAT, LOTS OF ROOM NO ISHUUUUUUUU,WITH OIL PANS...

[V]

Originally Posted by chknhwk01

TRACK OR STREET,I HAVE A "SPOHN" ON ITS GREAT, LOTS OF ROOM NO ISHUUUUUUUU,WITH OIL PANS...

its for a third gen first off and second off.. NO

[Fast92RS]

I had a spohn one with their tubular a arms on my third gen. It was really nice, handled well and was very easy to get the headers installed because of it and just getting to everything was a lot easier.

[qwikz28]

I debated it too, Paul. The reason I opted against it was that I couldn't justify spending the coin knowing that I would be constantly worried about it cracking and knowing my oil pan is exposed. Why pay money to worry?

[Fast92RS]

Really there is no more danger to the pan with the tubular k member. The bottom is still exposed with or without it.

[V]

Originally Posted by PolarBear

If you WANT to spend money, get the Holley pan, plenty of room for the pan AND you can do a stock style 3rd gen Y pipe, which is what I was planning on doing.

which pan? the 302 or the 301?

**edit:

I found it, the HOL-302-2. More clearance than the f body one.
Its only $350. I can probably sell the fbody one for 250 or so, so not much out of pocket considering I can leave the k member as it is, and only notch for the A/c.

[PolarBear]

Originally Posted by V

which pan? the 302 or the 301?

**edit:

I found it, the HOL-302-2. More clearance than the f body one.
Its only $350. I can probably sell the fbody one for 250 or so, so not much out of pocket considering I can leave the k member as it is, and only notch for the A/c.

Both those are slightly different than the pan I bought since Holley bought the design from JZ Motorworks. I have a thread on TGO about the clearance if you really want to know, I'll look later if you want. It's in the LSx board and my user is scooter over there if you want to search.

The only negative I see is that you have less oil capacity than the F-body pan, but you can slightly overfill, or run an accusump if you're running on the track.

I found it
http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/lt...erent-oil.html

[WildBillyT]

I can get you the contact info for a Holley LS swap parts engineer if you need it, too.

[V]

Originally Posted by PolarBear

Both those are slightly different than the pan I bought since Holley bought the design from JZ Motorworks. I have a thread on TGO about the clearance if you really want to know, I'll look later if you want. It's in the LSx board and my user is scooter over there if you want to search.

The only negative I see is that you have less oil capacity than the F-body pan, but you can slightly overfill, or run an accusump if you're running on the track.

I found it
http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/lt...erent-oil.html

Yea, I was reading that thread. They were talking about the 302-1 that was just coming out back then. the 302-2 is a diff design and hawks claims 5.7 Qts(6.2 with stock oil filter). http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/products/Oil-Pan%2C-GM-LS-Retro%252dfit%2C-1955%252d87-GM%7B47%7DMuscle-Car%7B47%7DClassic-Car%7B47%7DTrucks-Requiring-More-Clearance-Holley-Performance.html

302-1 and 302-2 comparison... http://www.holley.com/data/products/...302-2Comp1.jpg

Holley 302-1




Holley 302-2 (this one is the one I'd get)





and STOCK F-Body pan....





302-2 vs. stock

[PolarBear]

Originally Posted by V

Yea, I was reading that thread. They were talking about the 302-1 that was just coming out back then. the 302-2 is a diff design and hawks claims 5.7 Qts(6.2 with stock oil filter).
302-2 vs. stock

Mine isnt really the 302-1 as shown on TGO, but it is close.

I haven't seen the 302-2, that's a cool pan, it's like a cross between the 302-1 and the Stock F-body. That looks like a GREAT swap pan for people who don't want to cut up crossmembers and are going to run long tubes. It also probably has a little more clearance in the front area too than the one I have.

Good choice

[omarcamaro]

the 302-2 pan is designed for 1st gen f bodies that's the one I'm using in my 67 rs

[chknhwk01]

I LIKE THE "CANON"PAN.ALUM,ON MY 4TH GEN,,,,
NO ISSSUUUU,AT AWE......

[V]

Originally Posted by chknhwk01

I LIKE THE "CANON"PAN.ALUM,ON MY 4TH GEN,,,,
NO ISSSUUUU,AT AWE......

Honestly, I have no idea what a " 'CANON'PAN.ALUM " is nor do I see why its fit on a 4th gen is relevant to me in any way.
You do not own a third generation (1982-1992) camaro or firebird with an LSx swap, so unless you can provide LEGIBLE answers or opinions please refrain from posting in this or any of my threads. If you have applicable information, I will gladly listen and take it into consideration but just please spend some time writing it out properly along with using proper punctuation. With the manner you present yourself, it is impossible for anyone to take you seriously or put any value behind anything you try to say.