Vert without the X-frame?
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Rochester NY
Vert without the X-frame?
So I need to get my car into a shop to finish my exhaust install (pypes manifold back system), because it is too low to get the brace back on the bottom of my car. Whats your opinions on driving it until then, am I just going to deal with a flexing ride or am I potentially doing damage to my car?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Slidell Louisiana
How long is until then? As for driving it to the shop for exhaust work without xframe you'll be fine; however, I'd bring the xframe IOT ensure the exhaust clears it. As you know Vert is little loose without the xframe ...shoot I don't drive my vert agressively without the hardtop install since its seems like a noodle without the hardtop.............
Honestly you don't want the exhaust touching the xframe ...Your best option is to figure a way to install it and get the car to the shop with it mounted so that they can ensure exhaust system CLEARANCE ...
Good luck
Mike
Honestly you don't want the exhaust touching the xframe ...Your best option is to figure a way to install it and get the car to the shop with it mounted so that they can ensure exhaust system CLEARANCE ...
Good luck
Mike
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From: Rochester NY
I'm talking more like cruising around, getting on it a little in straight lines but taking it easy on anything bumpy. Any more input on that?
Talked with Turner Automotive (corvette shop in upstate NY) about getting it finished but they're swamped and it's probably going to be a few weeks. I just hate to be stuck looking at it until then with the great weather right now. Eventually though, the frame will be back on even if the pypes kit has to go in order to make it happen.
Talked with Turner Automotive (corvette shop in upstate NY) about getting it finished but they're swamped and it's probably going to be a few weeks. I just hate to be stuck looking at it until then with the great weather right now. Eventually though, the frame will be back on even if the pypes kit has to go in order to make it happen.
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If I was you I would drive there with the X Brace on. The shop only needs basic tools to remove it.
Why? The shop needs to clear the exhaust for ihe X Brace to fit back on the frame. It would SUCK for you to drive back home and maybe a portion of the exhaust would be too low or out of place and would not allow you to re-install the X Brace.
I would change the fuel filter while the shop is at it.
Now, if you drive the Vert without the X Brace be ready to experience the biggest flexing noises of your Vette life.
Why? The shop needs to clear the exhaust for ihe X Brace to fit back on the frame. It would SUCK for you to drive back home and maybe a portion of the exhaust would be too low or out of place and would not allow you to re-install the X Brace.
I would change the fuel filter while the shop is at it.
Now, if you drive the Vert without the X Brace be ready to experience the biggest flexing noises of your Vette life.
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From: Rochester NY
Thanks guys, and sorry, I shoulda clarified the plan a little. I will be taking the X Brace and leaving it with the car, just going to throw it in my Dad's truck to get it there. Need someone to give me a ride home anyway 
Just wanted to make sure I'm not risking my car's integrity by driving without it for a while.
Just wanted to make sure I'm not risking my car's integrity by driving without it for a while.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2010
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I wouldn't imo.
God only knows what could flex too much when you will hit that bump you hadn't planned on ( that never happens) and end up with another repair bill you hadn't planned on.
It's so easy to take off and on, why risk it?
God only knows what could flex too much when you will hit that bump you hadn't planned on ( that never happens) and end up with another repair bill you hadn't planned on.
It's so easy to take off and on, why risk it?
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From: Tabernacle NJ
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
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There won't be too much of a risk as long as you don't push the car. A Sunday cruise or something similar with easy driving won't really hurt anything. But I would not consider driving the car hard at all. Engine torque like you see from hard acceleration will twist the body and if nothing else, you may get some rubbing of the door edges against the body leading to paint chipping or scratches.
With the shop not seeing the X-brace on the car, make sure you tell them how it is to be mounted. They will need to install the brace to understand what clearances there are for the exhaust (not much
) and then fit the exhaust. Then the brace goes back on. With any luck you will have a good 1/4" clearance for the pipes around the brace where it sits under the trans and C-beam.
Make sure they get all the bolts for the 4 corners, the 6 nuts for the studs in the body pan and the nuts and bolts that attach the two bars.
With the shop not seeing the X-brace on the car, make sure you tell them how it is to be mounted. They will need to install the brace to understand what clearances there are for the exhaust (not much
) and then fit the exhaust. Then the brace goes back on. With any luck you will have a good 1/4" clearance for the pipes around the brace where it sits under the trans and C-beam.Make sure they get all the bolts for the 4 corners, the 6 nuts for the studs in the body pan and the nuts and bolts that attach the two bars.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Santa Maria CA
I've been driving mine without the x brace for years and I've driven it hard. Driving without it for a few days isn't going to break anything.
After I installed long tube headers and exhaust it would no longer fit.
After I installed long tube headers and exhaust it would no longer fit.
Last edited by 86PACER; May 20, 2010 at 02:20 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Castro Valley Calif.
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
I can remember starting to jack the car up to do some exhaust work with the X brace out & I noticed the body flex misaligned my driver's door a good inch! 
Needless to say I went to plan B real quick.
This may be the ticket for you, it's a heckofa product. I think it's a must have for any high torque Vert. My car used to flop around like a fish out of water until I put this in & now it's rigid as can be.
http://www.r-dracing.com/c4crossbar.htm
Needless to say I went to plan B real quick. This may be the ticket for you, it's a heckofa product. I think it's a must have for any high torque Vert. My car used to flop around like a fish out of water until I put this in & now it's rigid as can be.
http://www.r-dracing.com/c4crossbar.htm
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
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I can remember starting to jack the car up to do some exhaust work with the X brace out & I noticed the body flex misaligned my driver's door a good inch! Needless to say I went to plan B real quick.
This may be the ticket for you, it's a heckofa product. I think it's a must have for any high torque Vert. My car used to flop around like a fish out of water until I put this in & now it's rigid as can be.
http://www.r-dracing.com/c4crossbar.htm
Needless to say I went to plan B real quick. This may be the ticket for you, it's a heckofa product. I think it's a must have for any high torque Vert. My car used to flop around like a fish out of water until I put this in & now it's rigid as can be.
http://www.r-dracing.com/c4crossbar.htm
they help a lot.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 773
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From: Minneapolis MN
I can remember starting to jack the car up to do some exhaust work with the X brace out & I noticed the body flex misaligned my driver's door a good inch! Needless to say I went to plan B real quick.
This may be the ticket for you, it's a heckofa product. I think it's a must have for any high torque Vert. My car used to flop around like a fish out of water until I put this in & now it's rigid as can be.
http://www.r-dracing.com/c4crossbar.htm
Needless to say I went to plan B real quick. This may be the ticket for you, it's a heckofa product. I think it's a must have for any high torque Vert. My car used to flop around like a fish out of water until I put this in & now it's rigid as can be.
http://www.r-dracing.com/c4crossbar.htm
?How much are "they" paying you to say that
?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Castro Valley Calif.
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Be honest,did that cross bar really make a big difference?I installed their X-brace & targa truss & only noticed an improvement with the targa truss.That targa truss made a night & day difference.Are you telling me it made that big of a difference with chassis flex?How much are "they" paying you to say that?
?How much are "they" paying you to say that? It's pretty darn noticible man. I've got a shift kit & 2nd gear used to get pretty squirrley when it hit. Now it doesn't seem like there's much twist at all.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Rochester Hills Michigan
Be honest,did that cross bar really make a big difference?I installed their X-brace & targa truss & only noticed an improvement with the targa truss.That targa truss made a night & day difference.Are you telling me it made that big of a difference with chassis flex?How much are "they" paying you to say that?
?How much are "they" paying you to say that?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Rochester NY
Thanks for the input, guys. If I have time, I'm going to stop today and talk to another shop which does some vette and other restos in addition to their normal body work. If they can't help me out I'll probably spring for the R-D piece and just wait for Turner. I'd actually been looking at the cross-bar for a while but didn't see much mention of it being good or not. Caboboy, do you think it makes up most of what the halo did for the coupes, or should it really just be a compliment to the X frame? I want the frame on eventually, but if this piece is really that good then I can feel safe enjoying it for a while until it's more convenient to get finished.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,889
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From: Castro Valley Calif.
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Thanks for the input, guys. If I have time, I'm going to stop today and talk to another shop which does some vette and other restos in addition to their normal body work. If they can't help me out I'll probably spring for the R-D piece and just wait for Turner. I'd actually been looking at the cross-bar for a while but didn't see much mention of it being good or not. Caboboy, do you think it makes up most of what the halo did for the coupes, or should it really just be a compliment to the X frame? I want the frame on eventually, but if this piece is really that good then I can feel safe enjoying it for a while until it's more convenient to get finished.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Rochester NY
Great info, thanks. This shop I stopped at yesterday (Brennan Auto in Ontario, NY if anyone's interested) said they could get it done pretty quickly, I'm gonna trust them as the owner currently has 14 vettes himself...
Nitrous is in my plans soon after I get it back though, so once its in I might be placing an order with R-D for their cross bar.
Nitrous is in my plans soon after I get it back though, so once its in I might be placing an order with R-D for their cross bar.
