Hello everyone! I did a search but didn't find what i was looking for so i thought i would ask. I have noticed that i can't find anyone or any build threads with custom built frames for our chevelles. I know there are out there but would like to see some pics. I am currently building a tube frame for my c10 truck project but right after i get done with that project i will be starting my 65 malibu ss conv. project and would like to build a tube frame chassis for it. Hopefully this summer i can start the malibu so i decided to start doing my homework now. I love the looks of a custom built frame and I think it just adds a little something to the car. Any pics or links would be much appreciated.

Josh

schwartzperformance.com is the link i think they got one bare frame for like 3500 i think that was it

You're going to run up some big bux on a custom frame. That's spelled; CU$TOM frame.

Here's another thread
http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=211348

I haven't seen any builds with custom frames on this site, but the coolest chevelle frame I have seen to date is the RS Performance (http://www.roadstershop.com/RSPerformance.htm) frame for chevelles. A little spendy @ $13k ($13k includes suspension I think), but it is sure purdy.

Here's the RS Chassis
http://www.roadstershop.com/images/Paintedchassiscomplete.jpg

Once you build your chevelle frame I would be interested in following your build. Keeps us posted.

Kyle

Thanks guys for the following links! I really appreciate it. I won't be starting mine for a little while but i like to do my homework. I plan on building the frame. I know i could buy one but i plan on going a little different route with mine plus it is alot of fun creating something. My idea is to build a new tube frame using all c5 corvette suspension and driveline and air ride technologies shockwaves for the air bags and shocks. I am currently building a 1970 c10 truck that i built a new tube frame chassis to accomidate the c5 corvette drivetrain. I am not sure what kind of things i will run into like trunk space and possibly cab space on my chevelle. With my truck it is really easy because i have a bed so i am just raising the bed floor to accomidate the extra space. J ust curious does anyone know what the width of the front end is on our chevelles? I would like to know what rotor face to rotor face is? I can't wait to start it but i still have a little ways on my other project first. If you want here is a link to my build thread on my truck. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=263426 . Let me know what you think.

Talk to you later
Josh

I forgot to ask. Do you know with the rs performance frames and the schwartz frame if you have to modify the trunk area? Also what is the new ride height? I know i could ask them but i am just curious.

Thanks
Josh

From what I have read, the RS frame is bolt in with no modifications at all. Not sure about the schwarts frame.

I haven't seen any builds with custom frames on this site, but the coolest chevelle frame I have seen to date is the RS Performance (http://www.roadstershop.com/RSPerformance.htm) frame for chevelles. A little spendy @ $13k ($13k includes suspension I think), but it is sure purdy.

Here's the RS Chassis
http://www.roadstershop.com/images/Paintedchassiscomplete.jpg

Once you build your chevelle frame I would be interested in following your build. Keeps us posted.

Kyle

I think this frame is really cool too. Having this particular RS frame would add value to your non-numbers car simply because people know what they cost and have seen the advertisements.

I don't believe I've ever seen a custom tube-frame Chevelle that wasn't done up pro-street style. There's a ton of great aftermarket suspension and disc break setups that bring modern performance to A-bodies. I think there's more purists out there that would rather have their original factory frame refinished and upgraded instead of all together replaced, or even back halved, but that's just my opinion.

Keep us posted Josh, I'd like to see how your's turns out. :beers:

I will definately keep you guys informed when i start my build. After i get my other frame done and do some testing on it to make sure everything works properly and handles great then i will probably start buying all the c5 drivetrain so i can start my chevelle. Talk to you guys later.

Josh

You may want to check out the protouring section of this sight. Theres a few threads there about upgraded stock frames. For some more info. Good luck!

Both RS and Schwartz use a rear suspension setup that isn't much better than stock (only advantage is slightly lower RCH). If I were to go custom, I'd go with an Art Morrison Max-G with the 3-link rear. :yes:

Just something to make note of for those who want to use their car for a good amount of street driving....most of (if not all of) those aftermarket frames (including the one shown in that pic) have the car sitting lower. Yes, that's what some guys want for better handling, but it is quite a bit different than stock suspension height, and may even cause ground clearence issues while on the street. Just look at that pic posted in this thread.... notice how the frame sits so much lower that the OE tailpipes cannot even be used? You cannot have the tailpipes going over the axle tubes. They have to go underneath the axle tubes.

With a 3" exhaust, I really don't think that's something you would want. I believe that ground clearance would be a problem. Especially with passengers in the car. I think that you would have a problem trying to avoid crunching various parts of your exhaust. For instance, my guess is that you can forget about traveling over speed bumps if you have one of these frames with passengers in the car and a 3" exhaust. Ofcourse such things might not concern Josh. If he is building a tube frame car, chances are that he doesn't plan on a whole lot of street driving. But my comments are for guys who drive their cars on the street a lot.

Just something to make note of for those who want to use their car for a good amount of street driving....most of (if not all of) those aftermarket frames (including the one shown in that pic) have the car sitting lower. Yes, that's what some guys want for better handling, but it is quite a bit different than stock suspension height, and may even cause ground clearence issues while on the street. Just look at that pic posted in this thread.... notice how the frame sits so much lower that the OE tailpipes cannot even be used? You cannot have the tailpipes going over the axle tubes. They have to go underneath the axle tubes.

With a 3" exhaust, I really don't think that's something you would want. I believe that ground clearance would be a problem. Especially with passengers in the car. I think that you would have a problem trying to avoid crunching various parts of your exhaust. For instance, my guess is that you can forget about traveling over speed bumps if you have one of these frames with passengers in the car and a 3" exhaust. Ofcourse such things might not concern Josh. If he is building a tube frame car, chances are that he doesn't plan on a whole lot of street driving. But my comments are for guys who drive their cars on the street a lot.


I understand what you are saying and i agree to a certain extent. I am currently build a truck that sits very low and at ride height the rockers sit around 5.5-6" off the ground. It sits pretty low but if you look at alot of the cars built today the ones that handle well are usually pretty low. Lower center of gravity. My wife drives an 02 Mitsubishi eclipse. Too the bottom of the undercarraige is only 6". The only time she scrapes is when she comes out of pretty steep driveways which is kind of rare. As for the exhaust i am sure some creative thinking will probably need to be done but it can be done. Maybe someone will have to switch to 2.5" exhaust which would work great for the mild hp motors. When i do build my chevelle i plan on driving it alot. It is my dream car and would like to have it handle, perform, and look amazing. Now this is just my opinion and i am aware that there are other people out there that have there own opinion and i respect them for that. That is what makes us all so unique.

I understand what you are saying and i agree to a certain extent. I am currently build a truck that sits very low and at ride height the rockers sit around 5.5-6" off the ground. It sits pretty low but if you look at alot of the cars built today the ones that handle well are usually pretty low. Lower center of gravity. My wife drives an 02 Mitsubishi eclipse. Too the bottom of the undercarraige is only 6". The only time she scrapes is when she comes out of pretty steep driveways which is kind of rare. As for the exhaust i am sure some creative thinking will probably need to be done but it can be done. Maybe someone will have to switch to 2.5" exhaust which would work great for the mild hp motors. When i do build my chevelle i plan on driving it alot. It is my dream car and would like to have it handle, perform, and look amazing. Now this is just my opinion and i am aware that there are other people out there that have there own opinion and i respect them for that. That is what makes us all so unique.Hey, that's all well and good. I'm not here to debate. We're only sharing different viewpoints, and that can often be a good thing. I know that a number of late model cars which have minimal ground clearance, also have the mufflers located at the rear of the car behind the rear wheels. Often times that will allow them to be tucked up higher and away from the asphalt. Whereas GM A-body cars like Chevelles, have the muffs in front of the axles, where they have to be right underneath the floorboards. So in the case of these aftermarket frames which drop the chassis down lower and closer to the road, the muffler locations might be your biggest challenge. Like you've stated, something creative would likely need to be done with that. I don't think that there's any room to re-locate the mufflers behind the axles on a Chevelle, since the gas tank is right there. If a fuel cell is used, and mounted inside the trunk, then that would make some room for the muffs to be placed behind the axles which would allow you to mount them in a higher position.

I fully understand both arguments... I wouldn't put the RS chassis I posted in a daily street driver. Hell, who crazy enought to spend $13k on a chassis only scrape it up and cover it with road grime on a daily driver? I suppose maybe the guys who have the coin to throw away might. For a daily driver I would keep mine stock.

As for clearance issues, even with a stock frame I see poeple dropping thier daily drivers with drop springs, lowering spindles, etc. I guess it all depnds on your driving style and habbits. I use to drive a lowered pickup back in high school and it might have been 3-4" of the ground. Never scraped it except for large speed bumps. Oh and the time I ripped off the u-bolts from the rear end on that dirt road :D

Oh and the time I ripped off the u-bolts from the rear end on that dirt road :DLOL....now that there^ is just plain funny. :D