Dennis
View Poll Results: Would you install a removable cross-member in your new C2 frame?
Yes I would
48
76.19%
No I would not.
15
23.81%
Voters: 63. You may not vote on this poll
[C2] Removable Crossmember Poll
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 720
From: Fairfax, Virginia
Removable Crossmember Poll
I was wondering how many of you would have a removable cross-member installed in your new C2 frame?
Here is the scenario. . .
You bought a pretty nice C2 but the frame is in terrible condition. Lots of rust and bubbling and in many places you can poke your finger through the frame. You have had a frame expert look at your frame and it will cost more to weld patches and replace sections than to buy a new frame. You pulled the trigger and ordered a new frame built from a company in Michigan. You are not a big NCRS guy and not planning on having the car judged but would like it looking good and easy to work on upon completion. The frame company told you that it would cost $75 for them to install a removable cross-member (for ease of transmission removal) prior to delivery.
So here is the poll.
How many of you would opt to have a removable cross-member installed in your brand new C2 frame and how many would not? Thanks for participating. C.J.
Here is the scenario. . .
You bought a pretty nice C2 but the frame is in terrible condition. Lots of rust and bubbling and in many places you can poke your finger through the frame. You have had a frame expert look at your frame and it will cost more to weld patches and replace sections than to buy a new frame. You pulled the trigger and ordered a new frame built from a company in Michigan. You are not a big NCRS guy and not planning on having the car judged but would like it looking good and easy to work on upon completion. The frame company told you that it would cost $75 for them to install a removable cross-member (for ease of transmission removal) prior to delivery.
So here is the poll.
How many of you would opt to have a removable cross-member installed in your brand new C2 frame and how many would not? Thanks for participating. C.J.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 1,507
From: Willis, tx
Absolutely, I would have a removable crossmember. I put one in when installing a 700R4, made the job easy. I may be wrong, but I don't think there is any aftermarket trans you could install without pulling the motor if you don't have a removable crossmember.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,479
Likes: 2,650
From: Really Central IL Illinois
Any correction of GM design failure is an improvement in my opinion. Although I am not an automotive engineer, I cannot see any lose structurally if it is added properly..
Ron
Ron
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Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,479
Likes: 8,957
From: northern california
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Well, I'll be the contrarian here.
No, I would not opt for the removable cross member. My C2 is bone stock and having the fixed cross member in place makes it trivial to install the engine and trans as a unit. Trivial, I say. Set the engine down on its mounts and the transmission down on the crossmember, then take your time installing bolts because the assembly isn't going anywhere.
BTDT....
No, I would not opt for the removable cross member. My C2 is bone stock and having the fixed cross member in place makes it trivial to install the engine and trans as a unit. Trivial, I say. Set the engine down on its mounts and the transmission down on the crossmember, then take your time installing bolts because the assembly isn't going anywhere.
BTDT....
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,696
Likes: 3,094
From: Cottonwood AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Only if I were going to change to a non original trans in the car. At that point you have lost your originality anyway. No reason to otherwise as I have never had a problem removing an original type trans.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 1,939
From: Folsom CA
You Described my exact car purchase. I have the new frame and it is an automatic frame so it has a removable crossmember. I am thinking of modifying this one to make the center piece removable. Changing a clutch will be so much easier. The dang exhaust in those holes just gets in the way.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 797
Likes: 471
From: Council Bluffs Iowa
I chose not to cut up my 67 frame just in case I want to go NCRS route in the future. Everything will be original with the exception of the drive train. The folks at Silver Sport swear with their new smaller TKX that it "isn't that bad" changing out a clutch without pulling the engine & trans.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,485
Likes: 198
From: Allentown Pa.
Just a thought. Does cutting the crossmember make the frame more prone to twisting in high horsepower applications? Having an actual welded piece in place between the rails would seem better than bolts.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 2,271
From: NorCal
Well, it can be done - my TKO 500 went in without pulling the engine and over the factory cross member. I would not do that again! Definitely would go to a removable cross member if the circumstances come up.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 159
Likes: 113
From: Oakton, VA
If the car is a numbers matching car, presumably with a new (but stamped) frame, my question is this: Is the re-sale value of the car affected because the cross member is now removable? I would want to know that first. Even if the car passes on to heirs, at some point someone is selling it. I would want to weigh that against the likelihood that you really ever need to remove the cross member to work on/repair anything. Removable cross member might also bring attention to the fact that the frame is not original.