1968 corvette best way to up date frame to better handling
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1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2025
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1968 corvette best way to up date frame to better handling
I would like to update my corvette, maybe coil over suspension, rack and pinion steering, i have a 6.0 ls to put in it if not
too much trouble, need suggestions. thanks Jerry
too much trouble, need suggestions. thanks Jerry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,711
Likes: 2,160
From: Minnesota
Welcome to the forum!
How far down to the bare frame have you/ do you plan on taking the car? When people do body off restorations they often complete the factory seam welds and add gussets according to the Chevy power book. Here’s a thread with a link to a PDF of it, as well as more information.
Starting in 1969 there were factory gussets added to the rear kickup area. Perhaps you could look into putting those in your car too. Here’s a thread about it.
If all that sounds like too much work or you’re not taking the car that far apart a much easier and cheaper way to reinforce the front is a spreader bar across the upper control arms. Just be sure to look up exactly a spreader bar for a Corvette. There are others…
Good luck!
How far down to the bare frame have you/ do you plan on taking the car? When people do body off restorations they often complete the factory seam welds and add gussets according to the Chevy power book. Here’s a thread with a link to a PDF of it, as well as more information.
Starting in 1969 there were factory gussets added to the rear kickup area. Perhaps you could look into putting those in your car too. Here’s a thread about it.
If all that sounds like too much work or you’re not taking the car that far apart a much easier and cheaper way to reinforce the front is a spreader bar across the upper control arms. Just be sure to look up exactly a spreader bar for a Corvette. There are others…
Good luck!
Last edited by Piersonpie; Yesterday at 12:08 PM.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,212
Likes: 9,350
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
All it takes is time and money...lots and lots of money.
I have a chevy manual that shows you where to put the gussets, someone used to sell them. If you are not racing, all you really need is some 69 front spindles, a spreader bar, tubular upper and lower A arms for the coil overs. Front and rear sway bars and great tires.
And Something along the line of Speed Directs steeroids...I found an old used one and replaced the old rack with a rebuilt one and its incredible compared to the slow stock system. Mine handled great with 17" wheels and Firestone tires. Im running 15 inch coopers and they stick well enough for the stupid things I do. I havent had handling issues with the 68 rear frame not having the angular gussets on the kickups but they couldnt hurt.
If you want to seriously compete you can be looking at a $10k aftermarket frame with another $10k in suspension upgrades....
I have a chevy manual that shows you where to put the gussets, someone used to sell them. If you are not racing, all you really need is some 69 front spindles, a spreader bar, tubular upper and lower A arms for the coil overs. Front and rear sway bars and great tires.
And Something along the line of Speed Directs steeroids...I found an old used one and replaced the old rack with a rebuilt one and its incredible compared to the slow stock system. Mine handled great with 17" wheels and Firestone tires. Im running 15 inch coopers and they stick well enough for the stupid things I do. I havent had handling issues with the 68 rear frame not having the angular gussets on the kickups but they couldnt hurt.
If you want to seriously compete you can be looking at a $10k aftermarket frame with another $10k in suspension upgrades....
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,274
Likes: 1,317
From: Fleming Island, FL
I see that this is your first post so I'm going to assume that you are new to the Corvette game so let me give you my most likely unpopular modification for better handling. Remove the license plate and attach it to a Subaru BRZ. Otherwise leave it alone and enjoy it for what it is.
Last edited by Fly skids up!; Today at 06:59 PM.
