C3 Convertible cross bracing?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 309
Likes: 5
From: La Crosse,WI,USA
Thinking of it myself
I have been looking at doing it on my coupe but the exhaust is a problem. I think you would want to change the trans crossmember to accomodate the X crossmember. you would want to run the exhaust under the crossmembers and straightened it out or cut and turn it out. I have been thinking of doing it myself but it looks complicated.
I hope others have done it.
-Charlie
I hope others have done it.
-Charlie
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by flynhi
C4 Convertibles have an x brace underneath to strengthen the frame from flexing.
Anyone tried this on a C3 Vert?
Anyone tried this on a C3 Vert?
The C-4 brace is about 1.5 inches tall. Not enough room under the floor-pan, IMO. Now if it is to be a road-corse only 'Vette with stiff springs and shocks...I would attempt it.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
What about designing it so that the crossing point of the x brace occurs at the center of the crossmember and is anchored with a bolt through the crossmember? With end points bolted to the frame rails, seems like this would work.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by flynhi
What about designing it so that the crossing point of the x brace occurs at the center of the crossmember and is anchored with a bolt through the crossmember? With end points bolted to the frame rails, seems like this would work.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Since these x brace members are either in tension or compression, seems like a piece of 5/8" x 2" bar stock would do the trick: plenty strong in tension and enough cross section to not bend in compression.
Losing 5/8 road clearance shouldn't be a problem.
Whatcha think, Big G?
Losing 5/8 road clearance shouldn't be a problem.
Whatcha think, Big G?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Originally Posted by flynhi
Since these x brace members are either in tension or compression, seems like a piece of 5/8" x 2" bar stock would do the trick: plenty strong in tension and enough cross section to not bend in compression.
Losing 5/8 road clearance shouldn't be a problem.
Whatcha think, Big G?
Losing 5/8 road clearance shouldn't be a problem.
Whatcha think, Big G?
Also, if you note the cross-brace is also bolted to the floor-boards in 4 places.
Last edited by big_G; Oct 19, 2006 at 10:34 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,426
Likes: 1
From: VetteMOD
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
The C4 brace is not really a good example of a cross brace for a C3. A C4 is only sort of like a full frame car (like a C3). The quick fix for full frame rigidity has historically been a roll cage. The key to a roll cage stiffness is height. This is why a (basically horizontal) full frame X brace does not really stiffen a full frame.
On a convertible C3, you could probably stiffen the frame rails with a vertical brace that went behind the seats.
On a convertible C3, you could probably stiffen the frame rails with a vertical brace that went behind the seats.
