So I'm wondering is there any difference between the engine cradle of a FE3 and a FE5 because the part numbers are different and also big difference in price I thought the suspension parts where different not the cradle

FE3 - part #15918781
FE5 - part #15918782

 

Probably has to do with the sway bar. Also front trans mount ? I never thought of it

 

Does any one else have any ideas I need a new engine cradle for a 08 SS/TC not to worry about the sway bar is I'm not using it on the project I'm doing but I have to make sure the trans mount will work

 

I just did the research for you
the FE3 sway bars are a clamp style as the fe5 is a 2 bolt style. That's the difference in the sub frames. The cradle can fit all of them except 04 Redline's unless you upgrade the mount and use an updated radiator support.
I also looked back at my sub frames. The FE3 subframe I scrapped proves the clamp style sway bar. The SC cobalt and TC cobalt sub frame are IDENTICAL. What makes them different is the control arms and struts blah blah blah.
Hope that helps.

 

thanks so much I thought that was the only difference between them it really doesn't Effect me since I'm not using the sway bar but if I do I will just use the clamp style thanks

 

Why not just buy a used SS cradle. They go for 50$ all day lol.

 

I have one fe5 cradle but it's pretty rusted and I think it was going to cost me more to try and send it to sand blast and then powder coat it but then I was thinking how about the inside of the cradle there is no way to clean that up

 

Sand blast then epoxy paint designed for corrosion envionments (SW Macropoxy is a damn good industrial paint), powder coating a item that large isn't worth it. To get inside the craddle use a rust converter to stop the rust and most are a paint conversion. At my work we use a rust converter and it works great (used mining equipment tends to be a little on the rusty side)