[tipetu]

Hi,

1971 Malibu originally 307
I have swapped the small block with a 454.
Obviously the front springs are a bit more compressed, but it works fine as is.
I have replaced the 8,2 rear end to a 8.5 posi.
Transmission was a TH350, but is now a M20 Muncie.

I believe the SS-cars had extra frame braces in the rear section on each side, but what else?
Were there any else differences on the frame or brakes?

 

[keithb]

chevellestuff.net

 

[Jim_66SS]

Are we only talking about frame, brakes, and suspension here? Canada or US models? Brakes no different unless you ordered metalic shoes. Differences if you ordered PB. Frame reinforcements on US SS cars as they had a BB. Canada cars could have had a SB.

 

[DZAUTO]

Hi,

1971 Malibu originally 307
I have swapped the small block with a 454.
Obviously the front springs are a bit more compressed, but it works fine as is.
I have replaced the 8,2 rear end to a 8.5 posi.
Transmission was a TH350, but is now a M20 Muncie.

I believe the SS-cars had extra frame braces in the rear section on each side, but what else?
Were there any else differences on the frame or brakes?

These are the braces that tie together the upper and lower FORWARD ends of the rear trailing arms. They are left and right.
They were on all SS cars, or non-SS cars with a BB, such as a Malibu 400.
Also, if a car had a rear sway (such as SS cars), the lower trailing arms were boxed.

 

[tipetu]

Are we only talking about frame, brakes, and suspension here? Canada or US models? Brakes no different unless you ordered metalic shoes. Differences if you ordered PB. Frame reinforcements on US SS cars as they had a BB. Canada cars could have had a SB.

Yeah, more or less frame/suspension/brakes. In case the "authorities" question my upgrades. It is registered as an antique and has to be preserved as a true 1971 model (with upgrades accessible from that time-period" I believe I am close to it.

 

[tipetu]

These are the braces that tie together the upper and lower FORWARD ends of the rear trailing arms. They are left and right.
They were on all SS cars, or non-SS cars with a BB, such as a Malibu 400.
Also, if a car had a rear sway (such as SS cars), the lower trailing arms were boxed.
View attachment 817876

Yes, those are the two pieces I have noticed.
I have also boxed in the lower control arms, and adjustable upper ones.

 

[DZAUTO]

Yeah, more or less frame/suspension/brakes. In case the "authorities" question my upgrades. It is registered as an antique and has to be preserved as a true 1971 model (with upgrades accessible from that time-period" I believe I am close to it.

And just how many "officially knowledgeable authorities" do you think are intimately familiar with what was and what was not included or available on a 71 Chevelle??????????

I'm thinking fewer than you can count on one hand--------------- AFTER 3 fingers have been amputated!

 

[RICH1965]

If the old engine had cast iron heads and the new engine has aluminum heads then there wont be much of a weight difference. So if you buy new springs you may not want to go overboard.

 

[72soft-top]

These are the braces that tie together the upper and lower FORWARD ends of the rear trailing arms. They are left and right.
They were on all SS cars, or non-SS cars with a BB, such as a Malibu 400.
Also, if a car had a rear sway (such as SS cars), the lower trailing arms were boxed.
View attachment 817876

Tom,
These rear braces were also on my 72 (non SS) convertible originally with the SB. It also has a 12 bolt rear, but maybe all convertibles had the braces installed?

 

[Dean]

These are the braces that tie together the upper and lower FORWARD ends of the rear trailing arms. They are left and right.
They were on all SS cars, or non-SS cars with a BB, such as a Malibu 400.
Also, if a car had a rear sway (such as SS cars), the lower trailing arms were boxed.
View attachment 817876

I've seen those on two different small block Malibu's, both were 71s as I recall, one I was parting out and saved those brackets and gave them away later. both cars had 12 bolt rear ends.

 

[DZAUTO]

I've seen those on two different small block Malibu's, both were 71s as I recall, one I was parting out and saved those brackets and gave them away later. both cars had 12 bolt rear ends.

As I have always understood, cars with a 300hp or higher 350 engine and 12bolt, got those braces. But I have not examined every Chevelle which came out of every assembly plane, so I cannot verify that!

 

[Dean]

I should have added that i have no way of knowing if the brackets were on the two old cars originally or not, just guessing they were.

 

[shovelrick]

Tom,
These rear braces were also on my 72 (non SS) convertible originally with the SB. It also has a 12 bolt rear, but maybe all convertibles had the braces installed?

300hp and up had 12 bolts, SB &BB but I do remember reading about L79 cars possibly having or not having the braces?

 

[RPS]

I've had a handful of early montes and they all had the bracket.

The later bracket can be cut down and redrilled for use on an early frame.

 

[DZAUTO]

Tom,
These rear braces were also on my 72 (non SS) convertible originally with the SB. It also has a 12 bolt rear, but maybe all convertibles had the braces installed?

Brian,
Our 70 conv, which came with a 307-3sp-3.08 non-posi did not have the braces.
Adding those braces was just one of the many things I upgraded over the years.
I have tried to limit upgrades and additions to things which were actually a factory available part. Even though a SB400 was not available on a 70 Chevelle, it was available on a MC. The CI hood was not available on a non-SS Malibu, it was a bolt-on factory part. The 15x8 Ralleys were only on Corvettes, but they were 1970 Chevy parts, as opposed to aftermarket, etc, etc.

 

[72soft-top]

Brian,
Our 70 conv, which came with a 307-3sp-3.08 non-posi did not have the braces.
Adding those braces was just one of the many things I upgraded over the years.
I have tried to limit upgrades and additions to things which were actually a factory available part. Even though a SB400 was not available on a 70 Chevelle, it was available on a MC. The CI hood was not available on a non-SS Malibu, it was a bolt-on factory part. The 15x8 Ralleys were only on Corvettes, but they were 1970 Chevy parts, as opposed to aftermarket, etc, etc.

interesting.
Maybe it was a 12 bolt requirement to add the braces for a convertible or maybe they came with all 12 bolts? Mine was an original 12 bolt 2:73 non-posi.

 

[bccan]

Part of F41 suspension?

 

[dougo1]

Hi,

1971 Malibu originally 307
I have swapped the small block with a 454.
Obviously the front springs are a bit more compressed, but it works fine as is.
I have replaced the 8,2 rear end to a 8.5 posi.
Transmission was a TH350, but is now a M20 Muncie.

I believe the SS-cars had extra frame braces in the rear section on each side, but what else?
Were there any else differences on the frame or brakes?

The BB Chevelles had the following:
11' front disk brakes power assisted
Heavy duty front springs and stabilizer bars
4 bolts in the upper radiator Bracket
12 Bolt rear end , 3:31 limited slip (stock Ratio)
rear frame braces Heavy duty
heavy duty radiator
Doug

 

[tipetu]

And just how many "officially knowledgeable authorities" do you think are intimately familiar with what was and what was not included or available on a 71 Chevelle??????????

I'm thinking fewer than you can count on one hand--------------- AFTER 3 fingers have been amputated!

They dont know, but it is specified in the title. Engine size, transmission and HP. I am sure some of these guys are ok people, but the overall experience (from other car guys) is far from good.

 

[tipetu]

If the old engine had cast iron heads and the new engine has aluminum heads then there wont be much of a weight difference. So if you buy new springs you may not want to go overboard.

Old engine was cast iron, and the 454 also has cast iron. It is a bit nose-heavy, but nothing out of the ordinary.