Frame boxing
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Is it absolutely necessary? No. Would it benefit from a boxed frame? Yes.
You would also benefit from looking the frame over and improving on and augmenting the original welds. Make sure all the suspension mounting points in back are fully welded (not just stitch welded) to the frame. Adding additional support to the rear suspension mounting points isn't an entirely bad idea either, a stocker can break the lower front rear suspension mounts with enough traction and abuse.
You would also benefit from looking the frame over and improving on and augmenting the original welds. Make sure all the suspension mounting points in back are fully welded (not just stitch welded) to the frame. Adding additional support to the rear suspension mounting points isn't an entirely bad idea either, a stocker can break the lower front rear suspension mounts with enough traction and abuse.
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3,604 Posts
The reason you get varying answers has to do with where the real strength comes from. While an A-body does indeed have a seperate frame most of the torsional strength (which is what monster motors are going to hit) comes not from the frame but from the body attached to the frame. Adding boxing of a full or even a partial nature to the frame will make the frame more rigid. There was a thread in the pro touring subsection where Widowmaker measured twist before and after and it was significantly reduced. But that was for a bare frame.
You will get a lot more improvement with a good cage design. And with 1000 HP a full cage may be a very good idea for other reasons too
Once you have a full cage bracing the mid-section of the frame then you can add in some ties to the front and rear sections and brace it all up.
You will get a lot more improvement with a good cage design. And with 1000 HP a full cage may be a very good idea for other reasons too
Once you have a full cage bracing the mid-section of the frame then you can add in some ties to the front and rear sections and brace it all up.
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1,148 Posts
By no means am I a source expert on frame boxing or monster motors, but I can tell you my experience so far. Before, I tore my car apart I noticed that when I used a floor jack to lift the car up under the frame the doors would not open on my 67. I was putting jack under the first body mount area, where the frame starts to curve toward the engine bay. I have now boxed the frame completely and can put the floor jack in the same spot and the door will open and close fine. My body mounts were also completely dry rotted before I boxed the frame along some other rust issues that could have also played a factor in the car flexing. I am a firm believer that the entire car as a whole is more solid now, but if its necessary I cannot answer. I had my car off the frame, so I figured why not.
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1,572 Posts
it makes a big difference, costs very little, and doesnt take much time. worth it? absolutely!
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