Reinforcing a C2 frame?

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Jan 30, 2010 | 12:44 AM

c2ray

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 148

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From: Sierra Vista AZ

Reinforcing a C2 frame?

I have my swc completely striped down, and a friend of mine suggested I take the frame over to a local welding shop and see if they can strengthen it. I have never heard mention of this on the forum so I am asking for opinions. The frame seems very solid to me....I have taken a hammer and "tested" all over the frame and all I hear is sharp pings of solid metal.....no dull thuds. So since I plan on restoring this as a nice driver with a mild 350/350 under the hood with a four speed, is there any reason to try and "find" a way to strengthen the frame?

Thanks.

Jan 30, 2010 | 01:23 AM

MiguelsC2

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 5,474

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From: Houston Texas

St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13

Quote:

Originally Posted by c2ray

None. Since you are only using it for a driver. Not race etc..

Last edited by MiguelsC2; Jan 30, 2010 at 03:35 PM.

Jan 30, 2010 | 04:58 AM

mechron

Drifting

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 1,671

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From: california

Quote:

Originally Posted by c2ray

yes there is. on your 63 frame is the body off resto. mig weld all the seams on the frame. mig in 3/8 plates in all the corners, it takes time but it will make the frame and body solid. i did it on my 64 coupe, your 63 will engoy that.'

TEX i hate you (just kidding) your 63 is a beuty, i love it..

to the OP, mig weld that frame and add 3 8 inch plates on all corners. the frame will be solid.

Jan 30, 2010 | 06:19 AM

groovyjay

Le Mans Master

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http://c3-r.com/gsrebgalindex.php

Jan 30, 2010 | 07:31 AM

angelob

Instructor

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 102

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From: Wellington Florida

Another quick question for others, if the frame was plated and welded, would a car take any 'point hits' for this improvement over origionality?

Jan 30, 2010 | 08:05 AM

mike coletta

Safety Car

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 4,459

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From: minneola fl

If the frame is solid, I wouldn't do anything. You will take a hit in judging if you modify the welds or add any additonal metal to the frame.

Mike Coletta

Jan 30, 2010 | 08:12 AM

mechron

Drifting

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 1,671

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From: california

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelob

Another quick question for others, if the frame was plated and welded, would a car take any 'point hits' for this improvement over origionality?

WHO CARES??? if you are a NCRS guy just weld the top seams, they wont show.

good question, any NCRS guys, would a welded frame take hit in judging??

Jan 30, 2010 | 08:36 AM

mike coletta

Safety Car

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 4,459

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From: minneola fl

Quote:

any NCRS guys, would a welded frame take hit in judging??

If they can see it, you'll get a hit. I don't get what the point is in welding the seams solid??? The plates in the corners make some sense from a rigidity standpoint, but you'll for sure take a hit on that.

Mike Coletta

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Jan 30, 2010 | 08:49 AM

redvetracr

Race Director

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 18,126

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From: WI

Buy an older copy of the Chevy Power book it has a chapter on setting up a Corvette for racing (available on ebay but ask about the Corvette chapter BEFORE you buy, the newer versions don`t contain what you need).....they go into detail on strengthening a frame. If your a NCRS "purist" don`t bother, just weld up that top seam....

Jan 30, 2010 | 11:40 AM

#10

mechron

Drifting

Joined: Jul 2007

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From: california

Quote:

Originally Posted by 61retro

mike, it will make a race car more solid. i do mig weld all C2 frames and add brackets in all corners i don,t care about NCRS i like a car drives fast over a bunch of NCRS guys snooping around my car.

Jan 30, 2010 | 01:12 PM

#11

Sam Kalmuk

Burning Brakes

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From: Niagara Ontario

2022 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified

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C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019

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Quote:

Originally Posted by groovyjay

http://c3-r.com/gsrebgalindex.php

Jay: That is a great example of what to do to the frame. It is over 40 years old.
There also are a few Pics of the GS inside the boxes.... Keep us updated on
the progress of your build.....Sam

Jan 30, 2010 | 01:22 PM

#12

MiguelsC2

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2009

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From: Houston Texas

St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13

Quote:

Originally Posted by mechron

Thanks for the compliment.

Last edited by MiguelsC2; Jan 30, 2010 at 01:37 PM.

Jan 30, 2010 | 01:26 PM

#13

GCD1962

Race Director

Joined: Feb 2004

Posts: 14,984

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From: CT

Tell your friend to put the beer down. It is a waste of time and money to do this on a driver such as you have. Of course, something can always be made to be stronger or better, but in this case direct your money to more meanful and beneficial things.

Jan 30, 2010 | 01:37 PM

#14

MiguelsC2

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2009

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From: Houston Texas

St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13

Quote:

Originally Posted by GCD1962

Jan 30, 2010 | 02:37 PM

#15

JohnZ

Team Owner

Joined: Oct 2000

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From: Washington Michigan

Quote:

Originally Posted by mechron

good question, any NCRS guys, would a welded frame take hit in judging??

The entire frame and numbers are only allocated 15 points, so additional welding would only get a one or two-point deduction (out of 4500 for the whole car); washers that don't squirt or a lighter that doesn't "pop" get a 25-point hit.

Jan 30, 2010 | 02:47 PM

#16

mechron

Drifting

Joined: Jul 2007

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From: california

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnZ

John Z, good to know. i'll just keep mig welding up C2 frames up and take those few points hits...

Jan 30, 2010 | 03:29 PM

#17

Vogie

Drifting

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 1,973

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From: Valrico Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by redvetracr

Additional recommendations in the manual are to box the front frame horns to make the sway bar more responsive (didn't do this), weld a plate over the opening at the steering box (didn't do this) and to gusset the lower A-Arm mounting brackets (did this). I have boxed the motor mount horns and installed the Tom's gussets at the differential mounts as well to handle extra horsepower and drag strip runs. Both frames I have acquired that had been run on the strip had the differential mounts repaired.

Jan 30, 2010 | 03:34 PM

#18

MiguelsC2

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2009

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From: Houston Texas

St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13

Did anybody notice the guy just wanted a daily driver. Not a road or drag race car.

Jan 30, 2010 | 04:25 PM

#19

silverslashstreak

Drifting

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 1,818

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From: ar

I just finished restoring a 63 roadster to be used as a driver. I welded all the seams and reinforced most of the weak areas. I have been driving C2 and c3s for 40 years, some new and some high mileage, this car with the welded frame is absolutely the best driving C2-3 I have ever driven.

Pulling the body off my SWC and welding the frame is one of my next projects.

If you have the body off, I would not put it back on till I welded the frame up.

Jeff

Jan 30, 2010 | 05:39 PM

#20

GCD1962

Race Director

Joined: Feb 2004

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From: CT

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverslashstreak

While I don't dispute that's what you sense, I still don't buy it for a driver. If indeed the frame was "flexing" at some points, over time stress would develop cracks. How did you know what the "weak:" areas were? If some cracks were there I would agree, but without any cracks how could you tell?. You have to consider the fact too that some items made of steel are designed to have some flex. Although undetectable it could be present. If you stiffen these areas it makes some points too rigid which could lead to cracks developing in other areas. I drove my '62 for years and years with a weak frame (when I took the body off you could flex some areas pressing down with your hand). Even driving it that way it was hardly noticeable. I changed the frame and while I could notice some improvement it was not a big one. If you are starting with a solid frame and add plates and welding I find it hard to believe one could notice any difference. Again just my opinion

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