Frame Questions?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,909
Likes: 26
From: Clymer PA
Frame Questions?
All of my friends that I talk to keep telling me that I'm going to twist my car in half whenever I put the big block in. Isn't it true that my car uses the same basic frame design as a big block Corvette? In fact my front crossmember actually has the indentation to allow a big block to be dropped in. On too question #2 :)....
My future modifications include a 12 bolt rear end (4.11 gears), Tremec TKO transmission and Mickey Thompson ET Streets. I also intend on beefing up my entire driveline. Let's say I was able to yank the front wheels off of the ground. I would probably have to worry about the frame twisting then huh? If you had a '76 Corvette that could pull the front wheels off of the ground would sub-frame connectors be a must?
I'm sorry I'm just curious... :cheers:
My future modifications include a 12 bolt rear end (4.11 gears), Tremec TKO transmission and Mickey Thompson ET Streets. I also intend on beefing up my entire driveline. Let's say I was able to yank the front wheels off of the ground. I would probably have to worry about the frame twisting then huh? If you had a '76 Corvette that could pull the front wheels off of the ground would sub-frame connectors be a must?
I'm sorry I'm just curious... :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 4,795
Likes: 1
From: Regina Saskatchewan, Canada.
Re: Frame Questions? (bence13_33)
You'll probably burn the clutch up before you pull the front wheels. Seriously, your gonna need a real beefy clutch to hold that power. Especially with slicks.
[Modified by Stingy74, 5:42 PM 3/12/2002]
[Modified by Stingy74, 5:42 PM 3/12/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 779
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis MN
Re: Frame Questions? (Stingy74)
This is one of the biggest Corvette myths ever, and frankly, it's gotten to the point where I get pissed when I hear it. People used to tell me I couldn't even put a big block in my '68. And then they said I'd twist the frame. I gave up caring long ago.
No, you are not going to even get close to twisting your frame. Relax, it will be fine.
No, you are not going to even get close to twisting your frame. Relax, it will be fine.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 5
From: Roxbury NJ
Re: Frame Questions? (bence13_33)
Shane, these guys don't know what they're talking about. A C3 doesn't even have a subframe! They are used to cars that are built using unibody construction. They basically have a frame in front, a frame in the back, and the body of the car ties it all together. Check out a first gen Camaro for a good example. They lack the big frame rails that run the length of our cars, so they install subframe connectors to keep from twisting the car in half.
Now, if you do lift the front wheels, you may even be able to tweak our frame. I don't think too many people have real experience here.
-Joe
[Modified by Flareside, 7:01 PM 3/12/2002]
Now, if you do lift the front wheels, you may even be able to tweak our frame. I don't think too many people have real experience here.
-Joe
[Modified by Flareside, 7:01 PM 3/12/2002]
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Re: Frame Questions? (Flareside)
You will blow the rearend long before you cause frame damage. The rearend is the week point in the car (when you are running tires that get total traction).
Dwayne
[Modified by BigBlockVette, 7:10 PM 3/12/2002]
Dwayne
[Modified by BigBlockVette, 7:10 PM 3/12/2002]
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
Re: Frame Questions? (bence13_33)
By no means am I an expert, but I recall reading somewhere in a publication someone criticizing C3's because of their "bulky" frames. Basically the point he was making was that the frame was too big and stiff for the C3 design.
After reading that, I've always had the mindset that these cars were made to handle the power. After all, this is America's favorite sports car we are talking about ! :)
But like I said .. I'm far from an expert :)
-Sleek
After reading that, I've always had the mindset that these cars were made to handle the power. After all, this is America's favorite sports car we are talking about ! :)
But like I said .. I'm far from an expert :)
-Sleek
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,214
Likes: 0
From: Casa Grande AZ
Re: Frame Questions? (bence13_33)
"All of my friends that I talk to keep telling me that I'm going to twist my car in half whenever I put the big block in."
All is not lost. It's my experience is that stupid friends attract big breasted women. Never have figured out why, but your friends should be surrounded by them.
All is not lost. It's my experience is that stupid friends attract big breasted women. Never have figured out why, but your friends should be surrounded by them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,829
Likes: 14
From: Southeast La
Re: Frame Questions? (bence13_33)
bence,
You'll have to have quite a bit of both power and traction to hurt that car. It's really even silly to sit here and discuss it. My Camaro (73) consistently pulled the front left tire off the ground, and it was a mid 10 sec car. And that was with nine inch slicks. When I first started racing it, I did not have the sub frame tied...and the first time I ran it hard with slicks it popped the windshield. So then I had frame connectors welded in and traction bars added and I started turning (rotating) slicks on the rim...so, naturally I had to rivet the rim to the slick. Well, after all of that, I discovered my axle tubes were starting to spin in the rear end housing (10 bolt) so I had them welded to the housing...one thing after another. My point is, your frame is more than strong enough, and your counsel (friend) is bordering on embicile.
You'll have to have quite a bit of both power and traction to hurt that car. It's really even silly to sit here and discuss it. My Camaro (73) consistently pulled the front left tire off the ground, and it was a mid 10 sec car. And that was with nine inch slicks. When I first started racing it, I did not have the sub frame tied...and the first time I ran it hard with slicks it popped the windshield. So then I had frame connectors welded in and traction bars added and I started turning (rotating) slicks on the rim...so, naturally I had to rivet the rim to the slick. Well, after all of that, I discovered my axle tubes were starting to spin in the rear end housing (10 bolt) so I had them welded to the housing...one thing after another. My point is, your frame is more than strong enough, and your counsel (friend) is bordering on embicile.
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Advanced
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Wellington FL
Re: Frame Questions? (bence13_33)
And another thing... The parts interchange manual shows that there have always been just two frames per car year. One for manual transmission, and one for automatic. Everything is gonna be alright!