gussets question
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 993
Likes: 44
From: Jefferson Hills PA
It really depends how strong the frame is to start with and how "correct" you want the car to be. I didnt add any gussets to my 69 427/400 frame but it was in good condition to start with. However I did get it Hot dip galvanized to get to all of those hard to reach areas thjat were rusted, especially inside the frame rails.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
If my memory isn't playing tricks on me, one of the older Chevrolet Power catalogs/books has a section of gusseting or reinforcing a C3 frame. I think it was in PDF format here on the forum. You might be able to do a search and find it.
Here is a link covering the subject, done by a forum member http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...engthening.htm. It should give you some ideas.
Here is a link covering the subject, done by a forum member http://www.corvette-restoration.com/...engthening.htm. It should give you some ideas.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 680
Likes: 3
From: charlotte N.C
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 211
Likes: 3
From: Kailua-Kona Hawaii
Frame work
If you are interested in frame strength, beyond gussets, one of the first things that was done to race prep frames for road racing was to continuously weld all the seams. This helps strength and adds to the torsional rigidity. I'd do this if I were to want stiffer — before adding gussets. If you want to go full-bore, roll cages do lots more than rollover protection adding significantly to frame rigidity. Then don't forget to brace between your front arms. You can go as far as you want or as far as you can afford....Most street cars need little of this, however.
Reed
Reed
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, the World
If you are interested in frame strength, beyond gussets, one of the first things that was done to race prep frames for road racing was to continuously weld all the seams. This helps strength and adds to the torsional rigidity. I'd do this if I were to want stiffer — before adding gussets. If you want to go full-bore, roll cages do lots more than rollover protection adding significantly to frame rigidity. Then don't forget to brace between your front arms. You can go as far as you want or as far as you can afford....Most street cars need little of this, however.
Reed
Reed
If a crack does start in a seam it will travel the full length and create greater flex than the factory welds.
