[1966MalibuSS]

Any one have any info or know of a site that details doing mini tubs? I have surfed a whole boatload and I'm going cross eyed! Unfortunately I havent found any thing that details the procedure.
I am trying to make a decision as to whether or not I want to go the full tub route or if mini's will do the trick for me.

Thanks!

jerry

 

[Guest]

I have a few pics on my site of how I mini-tubbed my '79 Malibu which might give you a little idea of just one way they can be done. I also have my frame rails notched 1" for more tire clearance. The pic isn't real clear of that though.

Take a look and if you have any questions about how I did the work, just shout.

My sites URL is listed below in my sig.

HTH

------------------
Malibumotorsports
79 Malibu, 414 ci BBC, 3550 lbs.
11.12 @ 122 mph, 1/4 mile
6.99 @ 103 mph, 1/8 mile (new best)
1.55 60'

 

[1966MalibuSS]

Todd,
Thanks for the reply. Maybe you can answer a few questions for me...
Do mini tubs require notching, or moving frame rails inward? What I am trying to accomplish is to fit a nice fat tire under the well, but I dont really want to go to the expense and trouble, or the ride of a fully tubbed car.
Some one I spoke to the other day mentioned something about running another set of frame rails inside the originals, and then removing the original rails, there by allowing you to
A) retain the stock suspension geometry and design
B) allowing the use of a wider tire wheel combo, (I assume that you would narrow the rear slightly)
C) retaining some of the original ride characteristics...
I plan on purchasing another frame to do all my mods on, and then swinging the body over, it could use a good going over of the floor pans anyway

jerry

 

[Guest]

I'll tell you how my car is underneath, and you can look at yours to compare.

With the g-body frame, the lower control arm is only 1 1/2" away from the inside of the frame rail, so you can't really move the frame over as it would hit the lower control arm. With my car, moving the inner wheel well in, did not gain me hardly any tire clearance until I notched the frame. With the way a factory wheel well is curved, a flatter wheel well might gain you some room in front and behind the tire. I left the outer wheel well untouched and actually left 3/4" of the old inner wheel well as a surface to lap weld the new tub to.

To notch the frame, I made a vertical cut in front & behind the tire in the outer skin of the rail leaving enough distance for either a taller tire someday, or tire growth. Then I cut the top and bottom edges of the frame rail exactly 1" from the outer skin. Once this piece was peeled away, I then made a template and tranfered that to .090" steel plate and welded it together...filling the small gaps at the front & rear with small filler pieces. The final product looks very clean once welded, ground, and painted. The frame strength has not been compromised IMO, but I added an additional tube crossmember just to be safe. This tube runs on the inside of the frame from side-to-side and is located between the coil spring and the upper shock mount.

Doing this mod on a bare frame should be very easy as long as your careful welding not to warp the frame.

HTH

------------------
Malibumotorsports
79 Malibu, 414 ci BBC, 3550 lbs.
11.12 @ 122 mph, 1/4 mile
6.99 @ 103 mph, 1/8 mile (new best)
1.55 60'

[This message has been edited by Todd Geisler (edited 07-05-2001).]