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Thread: body stiffening

  1. #1

    body stiffening

    I have seen some pics of sheet metal failure, especially the L bodies, due to high HP/TQ motors, and lots of drag launches. Has anyone done anything (besides rollbars) to stiffen the bodies on these cars? For instance rewelding the seams, or welding in bars to the engine bay? Got any pics?

  2. #2
    Hybrid booster
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    Re: body stiffening

    Front and rear strut braces help with chassis flex. Mostly this happens with hard turns but it can also help when launching with a high torque motor.

  3. #3
    turbo addict
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    Re: body stiffening

    the inner fenders need to be seam welded to the frame. Make sure you have all the GLH Turbo bracing in the front if you've converted an n/a car.

  4. #4
    Hybrid booster
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    Re: body stiffening

    What sort of bracing did the Turbo vehicles have over the N/A ones?

  5. #5
    turbo addict
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    Re: body stiffening

    extra bracing along the lower rad support. The T2 ShelbyZ daytona's had an extra plate under the front motor mount bracket vs Auto ones as well. Big sway bar cars up to 88 had extra bracing on their kframes too

  6. #6
    boostaholic
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    Re: body stiffening

    i think we need some blue prints

  7. #7
    turbo addict
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    Re: body stiffening

    well I could take pics but it's too cold out and I don't feel like it. I have to build a plate to add to my Auto ShelbyZ. And Gave the early "big bar" kframe with the extra bracing away to a friend.

  8. #8
    boostaholic
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    Re: body stiffening

    I boxed in what I could using thin wall tubing for stiffening, it may be overkill but I wanted a removable radiator support "alla" Sox & Martin so the front end disappears easily for elbow room. The car is not on the road yet so I can't tell how well it works






  9. #9
    Hybrid booster Turbo Mopar Contributor
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    Re: body stiffening

    Quote Originally Posted by fishcleaner View Post
    I boxed in what I could using thin wall tubing for stiffening, it may be overkill but I wanted a removable radiator support "alla" Sox & Martin so the front end disappears easily for elbow room. The car is not on the road yet so I can't tell how well it works





    wow that is nice ! i was wondering how i would do that because i want the front end to go out in one piece ... im wondering adding a x to stiff the center section of the car and 4 point brace in the rear , those lbody flex a lot

  10. #10
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    Re: body stiffening

    Wow that must add A LOT of rigidity to it! I'm somewhat iffy on welding all that up on my car, but what sort of simple things can one do to stiffen things up? I was thinking of adding some tie bars from a Chevy Lumina linking the inner fender to the rad support. Thoughts?

  11. #11
    boostaholic
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    Re: body stiffening

    Those tie bars are pretty flimsy.
    Pete Faggella 03 PT Cruiser, 2.4L N/A 5 speed. Daily driver. All stock with baby moon wheels. 85 LeBaron 2.2TBI auto. Hoped I'd see a difference with bumped compression, but I didn't. Still slow. "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!'"

  12. #12
    turbo addict Pat's Avatar
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    Re: body stiffening

    How much weight did you add to the car?

  13. #13

    Re: body stiffening

    Quote Originally Posted by fishcleaner View Post
    I boxed in what I could using thin wall tubing for stiffening, it may be overkill but I wanted a removable radiator support "alla" Sox & Martin so the front end disappears easily for elbow room. The car is not on the road yet so I can't tell how well it works

    ridiculously cool pics here...

    How is your hood latch mounted and are you using hood pins? Looks AWESOME, btw.
    [SIZE="3"] [B]Jon Trotter[/B][/SIZE] [B]1985[/B] Dodge Shelby Charger, Currently decommissioned [B]1987[/B] Shelby GLHS, #937 [B]1987[/B] Shelby Lancer, #628 [QUOTE=Reeves;587010]I can be ready. Please send pics of wife. _____DodgeZ add comments here______[/QUOTE]

  14. #14
    Hybrid booster
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    Re: body stiffening

    No one has mentioned structural foam. Done in the right spots it is suppose to help prevent/lessen roll/torque on the body. There some research pages showing, where and the differences out there...


    http://forums.freshalloy.com/showthread.php?t=162693

    Same as above
    http://forums.nicoclub.com/zerothread/270721

    http://www.search-autoparts.com/sear....jsp?id=132468

  15. #15
    boostaholic
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    Re: body stiffening

    good find

    that foam looks cool

  16. #16
    Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff Force Fed Mopar's Avatar
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    Re: body stiffening

    I dunno about the foam, maybe it works, maybe it don't. It does add a bit of weight. I'm going to stitch-weld my GLHS, probably at all the seams.
    Rob M.
    '89 Turbo GTC

    2.5 TIII stroker, 568 w/ OBX and 3.77 FD

  17. #17
    boostaholic
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    Re: body stiffening

    lol dude ma mopar said the foam works

  18. #18
    Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff Force Fed Mopar's Avatar
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    Re: body stiffening

    Quote Originally Posted by thefitisgay View Post
    lol dude ma mopar said the foam works
    So use it
    Rob M.
    '89 Turbo GTC

    2.5 TIII stroker, 568 w/ OBX and 3.77 FD

  19. #19
    boostaholic
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    Re: body stiffening

    ok gimme money and a race car chassis and a motor/trans combo that would be worth it id be more than happy to slap it together and go have fun

  20. #20
    Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff Force Fed Mopar's Avatar
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    Re: body stiffening

    Quote Originally Posted by thefitisgay View Post
    ok gimme money and a race car chassis and a motor/trans combo that would be worth it id be more than happy to slap it together and go have fun
    Touche lol
    Rob M.
    '89 Turbo GTC

    2.5 TIII stroker, 568 w/ OBX and 3.77 FD

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