MINI TUBBS
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,948
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From: Aurora IL
St. Jude Donor '06
MINI TUBBS
I just got the complete kit from LPE and I was looking at getting my body shop to do the tubbing, My car is apart getting the Targa kit installed. I need as much info and Pictures as I can to help my body guy out. The install info at LPE is lacking IMHO. Also need info on the hardware install. Thanks for the help. 
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,486
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From: http://www.mphparts.com 800-364-1975
Re: MINI TUBBS (Z06GMAN)
Just curious to those who have tubbed, is your traction that much better? Would you recommend it over just getting a better compound tire?
Sorry, I hope I am not hijacking.
Sorry, I hope I am not hijacking.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 8,840
Likes: 43
From: State of Confusion.
Re: MINI TUBBS (Icetech)
Rubber compounds, in my opinion, are much more important than width. That's why a car that runs in the fastest street car shootout (guys like Billy Glidden, Mike Moran, that run in Real Street Class etc.) run so fast on a 10.5" tire? It's because of the compound (suspension set-up doesn't hurt either), and they're putting out a WHOLE bunch more power than our cars do (that includes the 8.95 second LPE car too, Which is incredible considering the suspension that we have to work with)! Just my .02
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,306
Likes: 2
From: Wesley Chapel Fl
Re: MINI TUBBS (Icetech)
Excellent write up except one item. Correct me if I a wrong but the Corvette is made of SMC not fiberglass. If that is the case then you are much better off using epoxy then polyester resin. Polyester resin will not form a bond to SMC and under stress will pop off. If the car is made of fiberglass then polyester or epoxy will work. One other thing mentioned is the mix ratio on the epoxy...not all are 1:1. Make sure when you purchase you find out which one you get.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 2
From: Fountain Inn, South Carolina
Re: MINI TUBBS (EatRice)
Mini tub instructions http://www2.stonemedia.com/~e_lynch/...te/tubbing.pdf
[Modified by George8211, 2:55 PM 6/14/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 8,840
Likes: 43
From: State of Confusion.
Re: MINI TUBBS (George8211)
Better compound = Better traction .... once you run out of great compound... then go more width with same compound.
Also... Many street drag racing classes are limited by tire size... I see 10.5 upper limit on most street classes... that is why you see so many 10.5 tires on the track.
Also... Many street drag racing classes are limited by tire size... I see 10.5 upper limit on most street classes... that is why you see so many 10.5 tires on the track.
with you George. The Fastest Street Car Shootout Real Street class is limited to a 10.5" tire. My point was, that if it can hook up an 800rwhp motor, with a 400hp shot on top of that (VERY violent, as far as traction goes), that it can hook up JUST ABOUT ANYTHING that we could throw at it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 1
From: South Lyon MI
Re: MINI TUBBS (LuvmyC5)
Gary
The mini-tub is very easy to install, just follow the directions. Also be sure to have the shock travel limiters installed that came with the kit. Livernois Motorsports installed mine in about 5 hours complete.
Oh yeah, I'm running the mini-tub and 345's Michelin Pilots on 12.5" wheels, I can spin the tires still at 70mph so unless you are going to run 18" rear wheels with 345/30/18 BFG Drag radials don't expect any significant improvement in traction.
If I had it to do over again I would of gone with 18" all the way around so I could run the DR's all the time, having gobs of power is one thing but unless you can stick it to the pavement what good is it. I can't even imagine trying to get traction with your new setup since it will probably be pushing 100-150 more rwhp than I am running.
The mini-tub is very easy to install, just follow the directions. Also be sure to have the shock travel limiters installed that came with the kit. Livernois Motorsports installed mine in about 5 hours complete.
Oh yeah, I'm running the mini-tub and 345's Michelin Pilots on 12.5" wheels, I can spin the tires still at 70mph so unless you are going to run 18" rear wheels with 345/30/18 BFG Drag radials don't expect any significant improvement in traction.
If I had it to do over again I would of gone with 18" all the way around so I could run the DR's all the time, having gobs of power is one thing but unless you can stick it to the pavement what good is it. I can't even imagine trying to get traction with your new setup since it will probably be pushing 100-150 more rwhp than I am running.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 0
From: Aurora IL
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: MINI TUBBS (LuvmyC5)
Thanks for the info, but I really need is someone that did the LPE kit and some detailed instructions and Pictures (not asking for much am I) Anyone know who did the LPE Kit that I can e-mail. I think my body shop guy can do it and since car is all apart including the back fenders panels it should be an easy process.
Thanks for the help
Gary
Thanks for the help
Gary
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,427
Likes: 2
From: Fountain Inn, South Carolina
Re: MINI TUBBS (George8211)
Mini tub instructions http://www2.stonemedia.com/~e_lynch/...te/tubbing.pdf
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,935
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From: Lackey, my own dragstrip VA.
Virginia Events Coordinator
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Re: MINI TUBBS (Z06GMAN)
I love mine....I did mine locally but here is a link to some pics that may help you visualize the install.
I am running 345/35/18s Bridgestone Expedia S-01 345/35ZR18 tires for the street....140 tread wear and do pretty good on the strip too...........but not as good as the 345/30/18 drs
http://www.hpracecraft.com/car_Steves-vette.html
Here is another write up.......I used all the forum info to do it!
http://www.thetechzone.com/articles/...ng/index.shtml
[Modified by ALLTHROTTLE&NOBOTTLE, 8:00 AM 6/15/2004]
I am running 345/35/18s Bridgestone Expedia S-01 345/35ZR18 tires for the street....140 tread wear and do pretty good on the strip too...........but not as good as the 345/30/18 drs
http://www.hpracecraft.com/car_Steves-vette.html
Here is another write up.......I used all the forum info to do it!
http://www.thetechzone.com/articles/...ng/index.shtml
[Modified by ALLTHROTTLE&NOBOTTLE, 8:00 AM 6/15/2004]
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,935
Likes: 26
From: Lackey, my own dragstrip VA.
Virginia Events Coordinator
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Re: MINI TUBBS (EatRice)
Nothing..............F45 here and +74mm HRE 545s.
At full extention(lifting **** off the ground) the inner wheel barrel just touches the upper a-arm. No problem or shock limiters needed here........each car can be different though
Here is a pic
At full extention(lifting **** off the ground) the inner wheel barrel just touches the upper a-arm. No problem or shock limiters needed here........each car can be different though
Here is a pic
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 0
From: Aurora IL
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: MINI TUBBS (ALLTHROTTLE&NOBOTTLE)
Thanks everyone, Took the LPE Mini Tub kit over to Mario yesterday. The car is coming along. No top makes a big difference. Anyway thanks for the help. 
Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 570
Likes: 1
From: Las Colinas, Texas
Re: MINI TUBBS (EatRice)
What has to be done with the shocks when doing a mini tub?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,974
Likes: 5
From: CenTex Texas
Re: MINI TUBBS (EatRice)
Here's everything you need to know about mini tubbing....including shock travel limiters and wheel offsets.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=773334
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=773334
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 0
From: Aurora IL
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: MINI TUBBS (NJ99FRC)
Man you and your Pictures 
Well to tell the truth I forgot my camera when I went over. If I get over there before it's finished or BlackSun gets some(hey John you said you would) I will post them. Right now it looks like you will see completed Pictures. Seems like all this mod stuff involves a lot of waiting on stuff. I was waiting on my top, Mini Tubs, Interior and the HRE 541R's . I am still waiting on the wheels and interior. The bad thing about all of this as soon as my car is done at Mario's place it will be going over to FLP for the engine Mods, It's going to take 2 weeks over there but we all know that might be 4 weeks. Oh well there is always next summer 
to have fun.
Well to tell the truth I forgot my camera when I went over. If I get over there before it's finished or BlackSun gets some(hey John you said you would) I will post them. Right now it looks like you will see completed Pictures. Seems like all this mod stuff involves a lot of waiting on stuff. I was waiting on my top, Mini Tubs, Interior and the HRE 541R's . I am still waiting on the wheels and interior. The bad thing about all of this as soon as my car is done at Mario's place it will be going over to FLP for the engine Mods, It's going to take 2 weeks over there but we all know that might be 4 weeks. Oh well there is always next summer to have fun.