Making removable crossmember
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 3
Making removable crossmember
I will be pull the engine and trans of my 79 this weekend. Does anyone have any drawings or good photes of converting to a removable crossmember. I have true dual exhaust anf would like to be able to remove the exhaust with out pulling the pipes apart.
I'm thinkind after cutting the crossmember out I would weld tabs on the front,bottom and rear sides. then drill holes in the front and rear tabs and running two large bolts throught the tabs and the frame. Then tapping a couple of holes in the bottom of the frame.
My question is the exhaust wholes, I know i cant just cut the bottom half off, so how do reenforce the holes after cutting them?
I'm thinkind after cutting the crossmember out I would weld tabs on the front,bottom and rear sides. then drill holes in the front and rear tabs and running two large bolts throught the tabs and the frame. Then tapping a couple of holes in the bottom of the frame.
My question is the exhaust wholes, I know i cant just cut the bottom half off, so how do reenforce the holes after cutting them?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Pictures of my removable crossmember in this thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=978347
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=978347
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
theres another thread on this with good info
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=978347
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=978347
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,408
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
I'm not sure how relevant my comment is since time has passed. About 10 years ago, I called Guldstrand and asked about converting my welded in crossmember to a removable crossmember. The best I can remember was that they quoted $1500. Actualy, that's probably not too bad of a price. I've since bought a removable crossmember from Ebay with the idea that with this boltable crossmember, maybe I can get it installed for a little cheaper than the $1500!
I have had work done by Guldstrand. Their currently quoted labor is about $80 an hour. That's can be a little intimidating, but so far, for the service I've received I've been very happy. For instance, when I needed a new stock spring for my 1969 Corvette big block, they just gave me one for free since they had one in their shop! Doing things right from the beginning and a little free-be really make up for high labor rates!
I have had work done by Guldstrand. Their currently quoted labor is about $80 an hour. That's can be a little intimidating, but so far, for the service I've received I've been very happy. For instance, when I needed a new stock spring for my 1969 Corvette big block, they just gave me one for free since they had one in their shop! Doing things right from the beginning and a little free-be really make up for high labor rates!
Last edited by 68/70Vette; Dec 27, 2004 at 10:23 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 3
Bolt in crossmember from a auto would be fine if I wasnt so cheap. The question I am wondering about is how do I re-enforce the crossmember so I can open the exheast holes. I would like to able to femove the exhaust in one piece when I need to..
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
run the exhaust under the crossmember...keep in mind the guys running the side mount headers, the tubes are exiting UNDER the frama without any clearance issues. You can always flatten the pipes to gain extra clearance.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
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From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Originally Posted by GDaina
Why don't you call some vette boneyards and ask for a crossmember from an auto tranny car.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by EVIL_GRIM
in a A/T, dont you have to slide the removeable crossmember out sideways cuase of the way its mounted to the topside of the frame?
