WHAT IS A LIGHTWEIGHT CROSSMEMBER?

WHEN WEIGHT MATTERS—TRY A LIGHTWEIGHT CROSSMEMBER

In order to fully appreciate lightweight crossmembers, you must first understand what a crossmember is. And to fully understand what a crossmember is, it’s important to be educated on what a transmission swap is. In the following article, we’ll hit on each of these ideas, to help you make an informed decision on your crossmember purchase.

A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF A TRANSMISSION SWAP

Transmission swaps involve the replacement of the vehicle’s OEM transmission with a new one. There are many times when a vehicle is manufactured that the preferred transmission is not available. The term swap usually refers to the conversion of an automatic transmission to a manual transmission. In addition, swap also refers to any change that improves performance, whether it’s automatic to automatic, manual to manual, manual to automatic, or automatic to manual. Every combination has its advantages and disadvantages.

WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR A SWAP?

A swap can be undertaken for as many reasons as there are people who undertake it. Some common goals include the following:

  • Eliminating known OEM vulnerabilities
  • Enhancing fuel efficiency
  • Improving performance
  • Handling heavy loads with more ease
  • Restoring a vehicle
  • Installing a new engine

WHAT A CROSSMEMBER DOES

The crossmember is a steel bar that bolts across the width of the vehicle, supporting the transmission and contributing to the ability of the car to handle properly. In addition to resisting twisting and deflection, the crossmember must also be durable enough to withstand the rigors of a road or a race track.
Because of these demands, crossmembers are often heavy, weighing more than 30 pounds. Weight of the crossmember isn’t important for most applications. Weight affects performance, so even a few pounds can make a big difference for some. With a lower curb weight, you can accelerate faster and handle better while braking less. For racers, this is especially important.

QUALITY LIGHTWEIGHT CROSSMEMBERS

more lightweight crossmembers from G FORCEIt’s best to find crossmember lines known for their strength, durability, and reliability. Our engineers chose four of our top-selling crossmembers. They have been redesigned to provide the improvements in braking time, acceleration, and handling that our customers have come to expect while keeping the characteristics our customers have come to expect.

PROVEN STRENGTH

Even though popular crossmembers can weigh as little as 10 pounds less, they still meet the same stringent standards as traditional crossmembers. In addition, because of their lighter weight, they are a practical choice for a wide range of projects.

NEXT-GENERATION LIGHTWEIGHT CROSSMEMBERS INDEPENDENTLY TESTED

The next generation of crossmembers is tested in the same way as traditional products. In independent tests comparing load vs. deflection, lighter crossmembers show no difference in strength between the newer and lighter crossmembers.

DIFFERENCE TOO SMALL FOR THE HUMAN EYE

The light-weight crossmember did not deflect at the typical load for a transmission installed, 200 lbs., compared to the Legacy part that deflected 0.075″ (up) and 0.096″ (down). Similar results were observed with other lightweight crossmembers.

MAKING PERFORMANCE A PRIORITY

While many vehicles can function just fine with a heavier crossmember, vehicles that want or need to prioritize performance will greatly benefit from a lightweight crossmember. For sportscars and more joy-centric vehicles like convertibles, these lighter options can be a great way to get the most out of your vehicle. The better your car handles, the more fun you’ll have. So if you’re looking to invest in your ride, a lightweight crossmember is well worth the consideration.

 

READ MORE: What is a Crossmember and why is it so vital to your vehicle’s performance?

Click the following link to keep reading about crossmembers.

By Published On: March 16, 2022Categories: Digital Marketing for Manufacturers3.1 min read604 wordsViews: 472