Disappointed in Tubular K weight

[joelster]

I purchased a UMI tubular k-member and tubular a-arm package last winter. I got it on sale and paid $740ish for them both iirc. Well, finally got around to having my buddy install them, and I was a little surprised at the weights. He weighed my stock k-member when it was removed. Keep in mind, it might have had some road grime on it as well, he did clean it up a bit though.

Stock k-member weight: 49lbs
UMI tubular k weight: 37lbs

yippie freakin do-dah, 12lbs for $450ish

The a-arms were a decent gain.
The tubulars saved exactly 5lbs apiece, so 10lbs in total, and they are adjustable and also unsprung weight.

So........I saved 22lbs for $740ish.

Then I texted the results to my friend "studderin" with an LS1 car. He said that his BMR K weighed 25-27lbs (he couldn't remember exactly). I would EASILY spend the extra 20-30 bucks to save another 10lbs. The BMR was just a little more than the UMI at the time.

Just my little rant for the day. :(

[Wooshie]

Good info to have. I would like to switch to one maybe next year.

[BLOWNDFIZ]

I'm doing the swap this winter on my car. I have the UMI road race K. My understanding is it is stronger for street driving duties but at a weight penalty.

Which UMI K did you go with?

I will share my weights and weight savings when I get the swap done.

[AChotrod]

I didnt weigh them but my UMI road race K-member was a ton lighter than the factory garbage. At least it felt alot lighter, and the road race version is a few pounds heavier than the standard UMI k-member.

[jakesz28]

My PA racing k-member was 18 pounds in the box with the packing. But then again I went with the motor plate and no motor mounts on the k-memeber

[joelster]

The motor mounts can't possibly add that much weight though. Maybe 3-4lbs total. I have heard the PA racing one is VERY light. Oh well, live and learn. I could care less how strong the thing is as far as street driving goes. I don't take my car off-roading or fly through pothole infested areas. I just cruise with it. ANYTHING will be better than the stock stamped steel piece.

I should have got the PA Racing one though, arghhhhh.

[gregrob]

Sell the UMI.

[MEAN LT1]

To some the added room you get when switching to a tubular k-member is enough. Im all for the weight savings off the front end but also interested in the access I get from it as well.

[Neil350]

I just want one because it makes things easier to work on from the bottom.

[mrbadlt1]

whats the difference between the road race one and the drag one?

[gregrob]

whats the difference between the road race one and the drag one?


Road race one is beefed up more

[mrbadlt1]

Road race one is beefed up more

cool thanks, so i'd imagine it weighs more?

[gregrob]

Yep

[BIGT94z]

I went with pa racing myself with lt1 motor mounts. It was right around 20lbs if I recall and the cheapest k member out of em all lol

[jakesz28]

I went with pa racing myself with lt1 motor mounts. It was right around 20lbs if I recall and the cheapest k member out of em all lol


It was priced right. Look at the prices on the fox body stuff. We get charged way more then all the mustang parts out there. Thats why I made some of the parts on my car and decided to start selling some of them.

[AChotrod]

Well I wanted the strongest possible k, for my car while saving weight over the stocker. Wheelies are hard on K-members, and those single bar versions just dont look that strong to me.
One of the great things about my UMI is its double bar center support. Ill bet that has saved more than a few oil pans.

[gregrob]

Thats what madman "save your ass" bars are for lol

[joelster]

Well I wanted the strongest possible k, for my car while saving weight over the stocker. Wheelies are hard on K-members, and those single bar versions just dont look that strong to me.
One of the great things about my UMI is its double bar center support. Ill bet that has saved more than a few oil pans.

Who's to say the UMI piece is stronger? Has anyone tested them in a crash or something? Just because it has 2 main bars doesn't mean jack. It didn't fit very well either. The fit wasn't horrible, but my friend had to clearance a hole or 2 to get it to line up properly, mind you there are only 6 bolts, lol. I guess 4 out of 6 ain't bad. I wish I saw a thread like this before I made my purchase. Nevermind the fact that I bought it from a parts slinger website that didn't actually have them in stock and I had to wait like 6 weeks to get it.

[BaddAss93TA]

hmm... i was thinking about picking up the spohn unit... now im second guessing. very intresting post.

[joelster]

If I had to do it again I would have gone with the PA Racing one.

[popo8]

I have an S&W unit in mine that a friend who works there gott for me.... never thought of weighing it against the stock one.... just knew I was replacing the stock one after some damage....

[MeanGreen94Z]

my PA was about 18-19 lbs

[mcssmostwanted]

i also went with the pa racing k member :)

[Jazz]

I have the BMR unit with the integrated mounts. Very light... about 25 lbs.

[XtremeOracing]

I went with the BMR piece, but the UMI K-member looks stronger.

[johnson28guy]

Is the PA K member suitable for street use?

[R3DLT1]

Can anyone post before and after pictures of K-member? I wanna get an idea on how it looks.


EDIT* forgot UMI had pics at there site.

[TWS]

I have an AJE Racing K member on one car and a Pro Fab on another. Satisfied with both, although the powder coating on the Pro Fab likes to chip or flake off for the slightest reason.

[383Z28]

Here ya go R3DLT1, This is a UMI

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/sanddrags06/ebaybooks001.jpg

[Speed Inc.]

I would take the UMI one ( as I run ) over others any day. The oil pan protection with the second bar welded in is a big + in my book. There is weight savings and there is also durability to keep in mind for a street car like mine and many others here.

also I believe the PA racing unit is CM compared to UMI mild steel

and yes it makes things so much easier to work on which is another + besides a little weight savings

PA racing does offer about the lightest full front kit I'm aware of and yes it is nice stuff, but again race only IMO

[1badz]

I have read around for a while and seen results, and for a street setup I would definitely go with the UMI. That's not to say the PA racing isn't suitable for street driving. I am personally going with the PA racing since it's so much lighter (and cheaper) and the car will barely see the street.

[AChotrod]

UMI road race k
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d53/achotrod/backinkmember002.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d53/achotrod/backinkmember004.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d53/achotrod/backinkmember007.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d53/achotrod/clean001.jpg

[joelster]

I have yet to see an aftermarket k-member break. Not saying it hasn't happened, just that I haven't seen or heard of it.