Leave twisting frames to the Chiropractors...

[Ben@SpeedTech]

Hey all-

Just wanted to give a shout out about our 1st of several new frame brace kits in the works. Available now is this one for 68-72 Chevelles/ A Bodies. It includes laser cut plates for frame rail boxing, a system of bracing bars that ties the body, rear lower control arms, and frame rails together, and it incorporates the fully adjustable and easily removable trans cross member we use on our Speedtech Pro Touring Subframe. It tucks up nicely within the frame rails and there's plenty of clearance for big exhaust. When it's all installed it adds a significant frame stiffness increase.

Here's a link to the brace kit on our website, and below are some additional eye candy photos. Check it out!

http://www.speedtechperformance.com/...rod/prd398.htm

Pre Welded Mock Up...



Final Product...







Note how it triangulates the lower control arm mounts.







Note where it bolts to the floor for more stability in tying things together.

[Che70velle]

Nice looking kit guys!

[Ben@SpeedTech]

Thanks Scott!

[Vince@Meanstreets]

I like the body tie in....so can we see a corner lift test picture?

[Rick D]

Very cool!! Good to see some A-Body's getting some love!

[Ben@SpeedTech]

You got it Rick!

Vince- The car is all back together now so I can't really show a before and after on frame stiffness. Looking back I wish I wouldda thought of snapping those pics before we put the body back on, where were you when I needed you? Lol!

[SSLance]

I like the idea of this kit Ben, but I have a couple of questions. I'm more experienced with the G-body frame than the A body, but they are very similar in many ways, one major one being their inconsistencies.

I'm assuming there are maybe slotted holes, or a little bit of leeway in the attachment areas in these laser cut parts to account for differences in the different frames they may be attached too? And how do different size or condition body bushings come into play given the areas of these kits that attach directly to the body?

I'm all for using braces such as this kit to strengthen the chassis on these cars, I would be just a bit concerned about these kits pulling the chassis, body, or both out of their relaxed state during installation. Or maybe this has already been taken into consideration and is addressed in the installation instructions? One thing is for sure, they can't help but to make the frames much more rigid than in their stock form. When is the kit for the G-Body being released?

[Ben@SpeedTech]

Hey Lance, thanks for the q's. Yes there is plenty of wiggle room to custom fit it to each car. Considering the wide range of tolerance from the factory and each car's 40+ years of abuse we decided to make this a weld-in kit rather than a direct bolt in. Where the tubes connect to the frame will require a little bit of trimming, and on the floor mounts, those need to be welded to the main bars leaving room to compensate for location and different bushing height.

The G body is a car we're working on making a kit for, their frames are as flimsy as A bodies. The big issue with them is the floor, as you know which isn't designed at all for this sort of thing. On G Bodies the frame gets tucked up between the floor and rockers. On my wagon there are areas where my floor board is lower than the frame rails, I would assume the Montes (and other 2 door G body cars) are similar. Without creating ground clearance reductions or cutting into the floor these cars create a bit of a challenge. We're using my wagon this month as a test bed to develop a couple other new products we want to launch and will be looking at frame bracing alternatives while we're in there. Hang tight, we'll be sure to post it when we've got G body product ready to roll.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Originally Posted by Ben@SpeedTech

You got it Rick!

Vince- The car is all back together now so I can't really show a before and after on frame stiffness. Looking back I wish I wouldda thought of snapping those pics before we put the body back on, where were you when I needed you? Lol!

I know I was asleep on it Ben.


Do you guys offer solid A-body body to frame bushings yet? Let me know we manufacture those BTW. We can get you a killer dealer bulk price.


Vince

[Blake Foster]

Originally Posted by Vince@MSperfab

I know I was asleep on it Ben.


Do you guys offer solid A-body body to frame bushings yet? Let me know we manufacture those BTW. We can get you a killer dealer bulk price.


Vince

Thanks Vince but we also did solid mounts for the Chevelle at the same time. just finishing up the parts list and packaging now. Available soon!