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Old Jun 7, 2009 | 04:11 PM
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I need a new frame for my 73.How much work would it take to swap in an 80?I come acrossquite q few of them by me.Its hard to find a 73 or old in my area.
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Old Jun 7, 2009 | 04:25 PM
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The transmission crossmembers are different. The rear differentials are different. The rear crossmember for rear bumper mounting is different. If you are trying to keep the original parts. You may need to keep looking or just buy a new frame and get it installed.
"DUB"
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Old Jun 7, 2009 | 06:32 PM
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With the amount work you would have to do it would be easier to fix the original
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Old Jun 7, 2009 | 06:51 PM
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Originally Posted by zigvs
I need a new frame for my 73.How much work would it take to swap in an 80?I come acrossquite q few of them by me.Its hard to find a 73 or old in my area.
Fill out your profile, so others will know where your at. Maybe more available in your area then you think. Where are you located?
I have a 73 frame, plus car I am parting out, but I'm in Wash. State.
Good luck!

Dave.
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Old Jun 7, 2009 | 06:52 PM
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my frame is bent/tweeked and its been hacked and poorly welded in the past.I don't care about originality,I want to make a vettrod.NOTHING in this vehical will be original.I know the rear bumper brackets are different,how would the trans cross member affect me.
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Old Jun 7, 2009 | 07:37 PM
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I got by with a 78 frame in my 73 with some grafting in the rear frame rails and rear crossmember from the 73. Your one town over from me check Absolute Auto Wreckers in Middlesex

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Old Jun 7, 2009 | 07:48 PM
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yeah I know absolute.I visit it regularly.I also know his prices.I did buy a 71 chevelle there and did good on that.i sold it and bought the vette.The frame is wiped.but it came with a boat load of parts like a full interior in the box and all the needed body panels.Its a low optioned L48 auto car.so i want to modernize it since I have to do a frame swap.I miss cobers in hunterdon county
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Old Jun 7, 2009 | 08:33 PM
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Default Frame changes!

www.71corvette.com/frames.html
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Old Jun 7, 2009 | 08:47 PM
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You are not to far from Bristol Pa. Contemporary Corvette is a Vette wrecking yard. He may have a good frame for a 73. Give them a call and see what they have. I have been there several times and the yare pretty good to deal with.
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Old Jun 7, 2009 | 09:38 PM
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thanks I'll give them a call and that web site is awsume
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Old Jun 7, 2009 | 10:09 PM
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any money you spend extra for a specific 73 frame will be saved by not having to hack up a 80 ( or any other year ) and adjust all the little things to get it to fit...

get a good used 73.... spend the good money up front...
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Old Jun 8, 2009 | 12:08 PM
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If you are modding everything anyway, might be time to upgrade to a new frame and fit LS power, C4 suspension, all that. Just a thought.
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Old Jun 8, 2009 | 01:10 PM
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I think that new frames are for sale. You can then buy a new 73 frame. I think a 74 frame will also work for you also. Even though the 74's had a rubber rear bumper, the chrome bumper's for a 73 will bolt right up. I have a 74 frame that I intend to put in my 70. A little work has to be done to the 74 frame to get the front chrome bumper on.

For the name of the company that sells new frames, I think they advertise in the NCRS Driveline magazine. Maybe someone on the forum will be able to give you their name. I forget their name. Apparently they bought the frame tooling from GM.
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Old Jun 8, 2009 | 09:16 PM
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All great ideas but i'm on a tight budget.I have time and tools.I did build my 77 Caddy with a blown BBC,And had no help from the hot rodding community.(Back in 85).
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