Corvertible X-Brace

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Nov 11, 2009 | 03:55 PM

Clark Bente

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Jul 2004

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Corvertible X-Brace

Hi All
Long time C-4 owner. Just got my first C-4 convertible. As I was under it, changing fluids and gas filter, I noticed that the large x-shaped brace under my car does not attach in the middle of the X, just at the 4-corners (one covers the fuel filter).
Should it bolt to the car in the middle of the X, too?
Need an expert! Thanks.

Nov 11, 2009 | 04:07 PM

80sRule

Safety Car

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 4,590

Likes: 48

From: W MI

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clark Bente

No.

And all there is in the middle is the transmission pan.

Nov 11, 2009 | 04:09 PM

pologreen1

Team Owner

Joined: Dec 2007

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Mine has 2 big bolts in each of the 4 corners going in to aluminum blocks, and it has I believe at lest 2 in each beam of the X. So total I think I have

A minimum of 16 bolts holding mine in.

Nov 11, 2009 | 04:12 PM

Clark Bente

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Instructor

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Thanks, 80's Rule and Polo Green 1

Just to be safe, could I drill into the trans and use plastic anchors or Tapcons?

Nov 11, 2009 | 04:22 PM

pologreen1

Team Owner

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Why? you need the 4 corners and 2 along each piece of the X that holds it plenty tight to the car. nothing goes in the direct center of it.

Nov 11, 2009 | 06:08 PM

azrocketman

Racer

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 289

Likes: 1

From: Tucson Arizona

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clark Bente

Thanks, 80's Rule and Polo Green 1

Just to be safe, could I drill into the trans and use plastic anchors or Tapcons?

Considering the amount of engineering that GM placed in the C4 Vette, do you have a problem or analysis that trumps the existing design? By the way, my '86 has 20 fasteners; 4 bolts at each end of the X-frame into the side rails and 2 nuts onto studs in each back leg that hold the frame against the floor pan (4 nuts total). By the way, why do you think plastic anchors would provide any sort of structural rigidity?

Steve

Nov 11, 2009 | 06:34 PM

pologreen1

Team Owner

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azrocketman good thing you know, I knew it was a lot.
To the op if you are missing some you should get them in for the full benefits of it.

Nov 11, 2009 | 07:15 PM

RUU

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 2,269

Likes: 142

From: Ottawa Ontario

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clark Bente

Just to be safe, could I drill into the trans and use plastic anchors or Tapcons?

Clark, I think you've hooked two - so far!

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Nov 11, 2009 | 11:46 PM

pologreen1

Team Owner

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 20,974

Likes: 261

Quote:

Originally Posted by RUU

Clark, I think you've hooked two - so far!

Yup, I think by the question he asked and some of the ideas that float on around here, and some of the things done to used cars, nothing surprises me.

Nov 12, 2009 | 12:15 AM

#10

89onlyZ51

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 1,063

Likes: 102

From: Seattle WA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clark Bente

Thanks, 80's Rule and Polo Green 1

Just to be safe, could I drill into the trans and use plastic anchors or Tapcons?

Yeah, I think mid-america sells a combination drain-plug, x-brace anchor thingie that's exactly what you're talking about.

Nov 12, 2009 | 06:17 PM

#11

Clark Bente

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 111

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Thanks, all.
I really wanted to know about the x-brace. I just got the car, and haven't had it on 4 jackstands yet, only 2 so I couldn't get under there yet. I was wondering wtf on the x-brace.
Next job, new fluid in clutch and brakes. I'll be all the way under next time, and wanted to know if I had a problem with the x-brace or not before I got there.
I was happy to get my answer back so quickly from a couple of experts. I thought my dumb comment on the end of my "thank you" response was so stupid and funny that they would get a chuckle.

Last edited by Clark Bente; Nov 12, 2009 at 06:22 PM.

Nov 14, 2009 | 11:35 AM

#12

redrose

Melting Slicks

Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 2,753

Likes: 15

From: backwoods upstate ny

the x brace must be connected TO ITSELF at the center to function structurally...tying x-brace to the floorpan might reduce potential for noise generation but the floorpan itself is too flexible to add any substantive strength to the assy

Nov 14, 2009 | 11:42 AM

#13

gbrtng

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2007

Posts: 965

Likes: 13

From: turn 12 at Road America or TX

I worked on a 94 convertible that creaked when driven out of a driveway at an angle. Owner had already had a rebuilt steering rack installed thinking that was the problem. I torqued the 8 corner bolts a few #-' over the factory spec and the creak went away - a word to the wise.

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