Options to stiffen chassis 69 Firebird?

[David Pozzi]

I like braces that run from the firewall down to the upper A arm mounting points. Hotchkis makes these: http://www.hotchkis.net/product/1967...k=&yr=&md=&sm=
They are a bit more complex and heavier than I prefer.

Pro-Touring F body makes these for second gen Camaros but not first gen's. http://www.pro-touringf-body.com/cha...omponents.html

They are lighter and simpler but won't fit a first gen F body. Herb Adams invented this style and they stiffen the front sub by 1/3rd.

You could have some made up. The firewall on a first gen needs a doubler plate inside to spread the load and resist cracking if these are used.

I also tested a 69 camaro with full roll cage. The front braces went to the subframe kickup about 10" behind the upper A arm mounts. I was surprised it didn't stiffen the front sub torsionally any measurable amount.

I haven't tested the Chassisworks type underfloor braces. I'm sure they do good things, but ground clearance is usually so tight, I'd be worried about clearance. They won't help the area ahead of the firewall at all.

[rickpaw]

David

What are your thoughts on the Chassisworks forward struts? Looks like it's simpler and less complex than rhe Hotchkis handle bars.

https://www.cachassisworks.com/p-269...ild-steel.aspx

[dhutton]

Originally Posted by rickpaw

David

What are your thoughts on the Chassisworks forward struts? Looks like it's simpler and less complex than rhe Hotchkis handle bars.

https://www.cachassisworks.com/p-269...ild-steel.aspx

I was looking at these but they don't say what size of brake booster will fit, only that the stock one won't fit.

I modified a set of Hotchkis braces to fit around the Holley accessory drive on an LS3. It took a fair amount of cutting and it is still quite tight. I put them on my wife's 69 Camaro convertible to try to kill the cowl shake. No shake so far....

Don

[rickpaw]

Originally Posted by dhutton

I was looking at these but they don't say what size of brake booster will fit, only that the stock one won't fit.

I modified a set of Hotchkis braces to fit around the Holley accessory drive on an LS3. It took a fair amount of cutting and it is still quite tight. I put them on my wife's 69 Camaro convertible to try to kill the cowl shake. No shake so far....

Don

Thanks for the feed back Don. It's my understanding that the Hotchkis ones dont clear the struts on billet hood hinges, which I have.

Do you have any pictures of the Hotchkis bars on the mrs' car by chance?

Tu

[dhutton]

Originally Posted by rickpaw

Thanks for the feed back Don. It's my understanding that the Hotchkis ones dont clear the struts on billet hood hinges, which I have.

Do you have any pictures of the Hotchkis bars on the mrs' car by chance?

Tu

Here is a pic.

Don

[rickpaw]

Thanks Don.

Looks like the bars cleared the accessories just fine. It's the cross bar that interfered, correct?

Didn't want to hijack the thread, but it seemed relevant to the op's original question.

Tu

[dhutton]

Originally Posted by rickpaw

Thanks Don.

Looks like the bars cleared the accessories just fine. It's the cross bar that interfered, correct?

Didn't want to hijack the thread, but it seemed relevant to the op's original question.

Tu

No the bars that go down to the control arm mounts hit the compressor and alternator hard. A lot of cutting and welding to get them to clear. Cross bar also hit.

Don

[rickpaw]

Thanks Don.

Looks like the Hotchkis bar is out. Too much work to make it fit.

[Nativefx]

Originally Posted by rickpaw

Thanks Don.

Looks like the bars cleared the accessories just fine. It's the cross bar that interfered, correct?

Didn't want to hijack the thread, but it seemed relevant to the op's original question.

Tu

Yes this is definitely relevant to my question! Trying to figure out my options, so appreciate any/all input. thanks

[Nativefx]

Originally Posted by dhutton

No the bars that go down to the control arm mounts hit the compressor and alternator hard. A lot of cutting and welding to get them to clear. Cross bar also hit.

Don

Hey Don, do you think the Hotchkis would still need to be modified on my LS3 if I'm using the Wegner front drive assembly? They definitely pull everything much closer to the engine, but I wasn't sure which specific areas you were having clearance issues? I'm also using a Hydratech Hydroboost instead of the power brake booster so hopefully that would add clearance for the bars to mount on the firewall.