The frame on my 80 is pretty much toast. I was wondering if it is possible to swap a 79 or earlier frame in. Just wondering because i want to use the stronger rear end out of those cars and i don't have to hack up an 80 frame and save some time.


David

 

Anyone?

 

I cant tell you if a 79 frame is an easy bolt up, when you do change
frames take the time to reweld the frame and renforce it.

 

Here ya go, I think this link still works

http://www.71corvette.com/frames.html

 

I would seek further information above and beyond the link from the above post. My experience has lead me to believe that the information provided although good, is not absolutly complete. I doubt they measured every frame at all points, who would as visualy they appear similar. Not sure about the difference in the c3 frames over the years, and how many changes were made during that period, but I do know that there are some additional changes that are not obvious and are not mentioned in the link that are different between the frames over the years. Im building a track car with a 1967 body and a later 1978 frame and discovered that the front main body mounts are located about an inch further back and lower on the older frames/body and that there is a conflict with the 67 body in a couple of places including the later removable automatic transmission cross member. Neather of these changes were mentioned or discussed in the link. I have a 1964 also and used it for comparison between the frames and there is definetly a difference in the frame design in these areas. Figured out how to overcome these issue by modifing the body and frame mounts, which was not difficult with a stripped race car, but if you are looking for a direct bolt on application I would seek additional advise. I agree with Little Mouse regarding completely welding the frame and adding the fish plates at the front suspention mounting points for improved handling, if possible per the Chevy Power Book also available, I believe in the suspention section @www.corvettefaqs.com. The factory welds on the frame are skip welded and frankly down right unbelievably **** poor, like everything else GM did back in the late 70s and early eighties. Good Luck

 

I have a`76 frame Arizona frame if you or anyone else is interested $650 owns it....e-mail DIRECT redvetracr@msn.com

 

I don't need a direct bolt in. I just dont want to take a month cutting and hacking up the rear end of an 80 frame to install the 79 and earlier diff.

Anyone else have anymore info?


David

 

a 79 frame is a direct bolt in if you want to use the cast iron diff.
The gas tank, rear bumper/enersorbers..everything there fits as it should fit.

You will need the pinion bracket, the camber bracket, new strut rods, halfshafts and drive flanges nd axle flanges to do the swap. Nothing of your alu IRS can be used. The only thing that may differ is the frame horns, I'm not 100% sure if the 80-82 frame extension bolts up to the earlier frame.....

But I wonder.. WHY? Do you really have enough power to wreck the alu diff?

 

Not enough power yet. Future plans. Thanks for the info TT