This is the frame for my 69 Chevelle. I got my frame all stripped. They sure are flimsy things. Whats up with that? Other than putting the welder to this thing and boxing it....what can I do in order to stiffen it up? I have a set of Frame stiffeners that came with the car.
What do you bbc power guys use? I plan on running a 427, maybe bigger. What do you guys suggest?

Originally posted by YenkoChevelle69:
Other than putting the welder to this thing and boxing it....what can I do in order to stiffen it up? I have a set of Frame stiffeners that came with the car.Contact RJ (username "airrj") about his recent frame stiffening project. His webpage has pics of the project too. I'm very jealous of the outcome!

The "frame stiffeners" really don't stiffen the frame per say. I'm assuming you are talking about the stamped piece of metal that bolts on the frame side of the upper control arms to the lower control arms.

All these really do is distribute the loads that these mounting points take. Yes, in a way "stiffening" the frame (not like boxing the frame channels though), but more or less making sure these points are not torn out under loads.

Have you ever seen a Fox body 'stang tear out its torque boxes with just a couple of mods?? I've been in one when it happens...not a fun roller coaster ride to be on when it happens :( At least you can try to steer though :rolleyes:

Good luck with your project!

graemlins/beers.gif

Joe

I have been cursed in life with fat fingers graemlins/angry.gif :D

Joe

I have completely boxed my frame between the front and rear horns. It did add to the rigidity of the frame, but it is still very flexible without the body bolted down. I am also installing solid body bushings to replace the stock rubber. Now that I have the body installed on the frame it is obvious that the car is still far from rigid. I am convinced now that if you want a truly rigid frame, a cage is required. Not a simple 6 point cage, but a cage with a full roof hoop and front downbars. This is because the greatest amount of flex in these cars is at the firewall.

And so anything that you do will likely help stablize the frame, but with that said many people are running some pretty high HP in stock Chevelles without much trouble. If you checkout my website you can see where I boxed the lower trailing arm mounts and I gusseted the rear crossmember. Both of which should help keep the rear square and from moving around.

Keep us posted on what you are going to do! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Looks great man! That is a bit more work than I had planned however. Was looked for more bolt on stuff. The frame hits the powder coaters this week. I think that maybe I am just over reacting. When I think about these frames I think they should be rigid and not budge, but when you get the car off of them I can see why they are weaker. By the way, do you need any 72 parts? I email me if you do, as I have an entire 72 parts car sitting in my garage.

Have you ever seen a car on the strip that was caught in mid air launching from the line?

You usually see one front wheel in the air ....and maybe the other touching the ground. That requires a lot of flex in the frame to be able to do that without cracking the frame.

Not that I will be doing launches like that, but I have to wonder if making it too rigid might cause a frame to break on a hard start?

I too would like to know more about the advantages and disadvantages.

Steve

Have you ever seen a car on the strip that was caught in mid air launching from the line?

You usually see one front wheel in the air ....and maybe the other touching the ground. That requires a lot of flex in the frame to be able to do that without cracking the frame.

Not that I will be doing launches like that, but I have to wonder if making it too rigid might cause a frame to break on a hard start?

I too would like to know more about the advantages and disadvantages.

Steve