Corvette Cradle Shortining for width

[z06chevelle]

I have purchased a wrecked Corvette Z06 and am in the process of doing a build on a 67 cehvelle convertable like Poplar Hot Rodding's project 57 where they used the Corvette suspension and grafted it to the Chevelle frame. I am doing the same type of build, but with a twist. I am building my own frame for it and adding air ride suspension. I am trying to figure out the best way to cut the front cradle that came out of the Corvette so I can take a couple of inches out of it to make it a bit narower so the wheels will fit under the chevelle and not stick out. All the suspension and steering and engine mount to the cradle. I saw the article that was posted on this build, but they did not go in to any detail on how they did the cutting and rewelding of the cradle. Anyone done this or have any ideas? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Jim.

[wiedemab]

FYI - if you narrow the cradle you are going to have to come up with a different rack and pinion if you want to retain good steering geometry. Many people use other racks (I think most use a Mustang rack and others have custom ones made) and C5/6 components, but their revised geometry is designed to work with the rack and pinion that they've chosen. They typically have a redesigned steering arm as well. You may already know this, but I just wanted to make sure that you didn't get in over your head thinking that you could just narrow it without any issues.

[Payton King]

for their vette IRS in 1st gens. Find a person that is good at welding and section a few inches out of the middle and weld it back up. Do not go too far as you will have clearance issues with the motor and headers/exhaust. You will also need to do the above with the rack and steering arms. May be easier to fab your own frame and not use the cradle at all.

[68RS350]

Art Morrison sells a front C5 weld in clip. Its 2x4" .120 frame rails. You provide them with your ride height, and distance from the firewall to the wheel centerline. You also choose what the rails look like. I am currently building a 68 camaro with c5 chassis. If you go with the Art Morrison weld in clip you will need to get their steering rack and spindles. The clip starts at $1500 I think and you need to add the sway bar mounts and the engine mounts. Its not a bad deal at all. Check out their website under the front clip section, they even have an air ride version as well. If you have any other questions just let me know!!

[z06chevelle]

I thank you all for the information, I just saw this wrecked Z06 and purchased all of the suspension, trans, and LS6 engine. Everything that drops out of the bottom when you unbolt it. The other guy I partnerd with got everything up top.

The Vette was hit in the side, but not that bad. I Have the stock Corvette wheels and tires. The offset on the Corvette rims is all the way to the outside so the all the tire goes under the car with the bolt patern all the way to the outside edge of the tire. With this, I don't think that I can get much more of an offset to make the wheels tuck in any more, and I saw Poplar Hotrodding due an article on Project X. They did the same Corvette cut the cradle and narrow it, but did not go in to enough detail as to what was involved in doing it.

My Chevelle frame is rusted out and so I was going to build my own frame and am now just trying to gather up any info that I can to make this work. I have built a frame jig to keep everything in place while building and welding.

The lower controll arms and rack and pinion steering are connected to the cradle as does the engine, so I am not sure how to go about not using the cradle. Any other thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks, Jim

[z06chevelle]

I just looked at the Art Morrison front clip, and that is a great idea to take care of a bunch of problems. Thanks for that info.