Contemplating DSE Mini Tub...

[Dipped]

I totally agree with Chris.

[Sparks67]

Originally Posted by Matt.A

I agree with Todd and Chris. My two cents: Unless you have 600-700 horsepower, from a handling perspective, you're not gaining anything by minitubbing it. I'd argue that a non minitubbed car with 400-500 horsepower and 275s all around would be less expensive, faster and easier to drive than if that same car was mini tubbed. If you do end up with stupid amounts of power the bigger tires will help put the power down much more smoothly, but you'll be trying to figure out how to keep the car from understeering.

Matt

According to John Lingenfelter's book " Modifying small-block chevy engines: High performance". Torque is what accelerates the car, and in fact horsepower is merely is torque over time (rpm)."

The original poster never mentioned the his engine, but it was only a cost issue. If you car is ripped apart, then now is the time to make the decision whether you want to mini-tub or not. I have actually done the work, so this is the best time to make decision on the car. Not later! I personally have 800ft/lbs of torque, but again that is what I wanted in my 67 RS camaro.

The original poster has a 68 Camaro, well, he is limited on the tire size in the front. The DSE subframe won't fit a 275 without modifications to the front fender and front wheel housing. Stock subframe will only allow a 255 in front. Penny had modified front wheel housings. DSE subframe was designed around a 1969 Camaro, so it can fit a 275 in front. Actually, my 67 Camaro has the DSE subframe and is getting modified now for 275's in front at Sled Alley. I have 255's right now.

Jeff

[Matt@BOS]

ADiCarlo, since my tech advice is apparently suspect at best, I'll approach this question from a different stand point. Are you a dollars and cents person, who enjoys the process of building, driving, selling and buying. Some people are really into the process of buying and selling hot rods, etc. and others are more interested in tuning, tweaking, driving and creating things. There is no right or wrong way to go about it, and most people fit somewhere between those two types of car guys. I get the feeling that people who obsess over little details and get really into the look, stance and types of components on their cars are definitely more creative than bottom line, and if that is how you are, I bet you'll end up mini tubbing it.

However, if you don't quite see a Camaro with big rear tires and say, "I need to have that," and you would rather spend less money, have just as much fun driving the car, and probably sell your car quicker when it is time to move on to the next project, you might want to stay away from mini tubbing it. The only reason I say it would be easier to sell the car faster would be because the car would probably be worth less money. And less expensive cars generally have a broader market of buyers. Mini tubbed cars are usually projects that have snow balled where owners have caught a case of the "while I'm at its." Who knows if it actually increases the resale value compared to the increased build cost.

Matt

[Ns RS]

Funny that my gateway drug to this hobby started with some tubs which led to new wheels & tires resulting in Quadra link then subframe connectors and then might as well tie everything together with complete sub frame resulting in new brakes & rear end to fit the tubs and since the upgrades improved handling might as well get some new seats and belts with it. That was stage I.

Parts and labor went beyond the original budget for mini tubbing per usual with this hobby. I plan on keeping the car and had the means to get stage I done so no problems there.

Scope creep oh hell yes. Regrets no. If you end up moving from one project to the next minitubbing wont hurt resale IMO unless you proceed down the slippery slope of actually utilizing the tubs with 335s and going full PT - which may result in dimished financial returns.

Tub it, run it and enjoy it. If you plan on keeping the car then save WHILE DRIVING IT and then throw the dse book at it if so desired.

[Roe]

Did you end up mini tubbing your car?

[Hatcher1986]

i have a couple friends who used the DSE kits and liked them!

[ADiCarlo]

First off I want to thank everyone for taking the time to provide detailed responses and personal insight. I've been part of many different car scenes and forums and have never seen this level of true advice from fellow members.

After reading all your responses I feel it's best to answer a couple key questions:

1. What's your motor set up and will you actually be pushing enough horsepower for such a big tire?

I've already purchased and will be modifying a hybrid LQ9 6.0 longblock with LS3 heads. I like the idea of a N/A motor but have been contemplating adding some boost just to put that iron block to work. Ultimately my goal is around 600 and the motors current set up is pushing 530 last time it was dyno'd.

2. Am I dollar and cents guy or do I just love the idea of build awesome cars?

I would say I'm for building an awesome tuned and tweaked car but there's one problem - i'm under 30, and while having a ton of cars is awesome I still have to think about other responsibilities - like buying a house, etc. So I budget every build I do so in the event that something does happen i'm not out tons of a money. When everything's said and done and life's perfect then screw it tub it, stroke it, and tweak it to hell who cares!

3. So did I tub it?

Not yet but i'm going to! The car I bought was actually in the process of being turned into a drag car and I saved it from disaster. But some of the damage was already done so a fresh custom firewall tough enough for road race has been welded in with willwood drop pedals. Also the rear package tray was cut out so a mini tub isn't that crazy seeing I have to fix the rear anyways.

Right now the car has been stripped to the shell, media blasted and is about start phase II which is the rear - ETA end of November. I'll start a build thread once I get the car back and make progress on putting it together.

What rear-end set up?

After speaking with a bunch of people the last decision I made was to go with Chassisworks. This is due to the tune-ability of the rear suspension in regards to the 4 link position and the 16+ dampening settings. I've driven enough cars on aftermarket suspension both good a ****ty to know that having that customization is important especially when you like to drive the car regularly.

Also I've never been a fan of tucking my wheels down into the rim and i feel it just doesn't make sense when it comes to performance driving.

The rear end will be a custom 9 inch with a true trac 31 spline that I've already purchased and for wheels I been thinking about going with the below as they were highly recommended when i used to work with BMW's (I know there are mixed reviews about BMW pattern wheels on Chevy but for a wheel that is tough, designed and tested to handle BMW racing, and priced well it's hard to beat):

They largest they come in is 11":
http://www.apexraceparts.com/EC-7-18...e-3_p_168.html

Ok enough of my book for now. Hit me with any questions you have.

[Windsor GTO]

I have a guy here in Houston that does them for $1700 plus materials. He makes the tubs not buy a kit and its cheaper. He has been doing Chassis building/tuning for 30 years.