510 chassis/subframe upgrades to compensate for added hp

Problems, ideas and comments specific to engine swaps.
Danthewire
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Joined: 24 Nov 2007 19:31

Re: 510 chassis/subframe upgrades to compensate for added hp

Post by Danthewire »

We built a racecar back in the day (See Butters 68 page57 featured project) that had a tube frame inside the front frame rails, through the center of the car connecting to the rear subframe. Then a rear tube frame off that to the rear bumper. With a roll cage tying it all together.That car was super quick, and responded VERY well to weight jacking and small chassis adjustments (very sensitive).
The motor was probably around 125-130 hp.
It was a huge amount of work.

For what you are doing I wouldn't bother with it, just make sure the car is solid (fix the rust) do the sheet metal braces as described by others and do the doubler plate that Keith did on the rear control arms.

I built a 81 Malibu stock car a few years later with a full cage etc we hung a weight off a 10 foot piece of tubing to see how much it flexed.....
That was a full framed car it was an eye opener how bad it was. Had to do a complete re-design...
The little 510 uni body was a far far superior platform.
Hope that helps.
vetteguy22
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Location: Prescott Valley AZ

Re: 510 chassis/subframe upgrades to compensate for added hp

Post by vetteguy22 »

Great input. Thanks guys.
Rob
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bertvorgon
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Re: 510 chassis/subframe upgrades to compensate for added hp

Post by bertvorgon »

Funny, I was looking at some pictures today, and these popped up. One of the best mods I did for steering/frame flex was to REALLY triangulate the steering box brace, not just some little plate to the body, with a small back up pieces.

With real race tires we did a test and watched the frame really start to twist at the box mounting area, so Andy and I came up with this setup.

As a heads up, the brace to the drivers toe board must accommodate the tallest tire you might run in terms of full steering lock. I have lost just a hair of left turn capability as when we did this, 23" tall tires x 15" were not the norm. No biggy in 99% of turning situations.

Bottom line it made a seat of the pants feel difference.
Attachments
upper point from top of steering box.JPG
upper point from top of steering box.JPG (130.44 KiB) Viewed 4083 times
toe board brace. my 15 inch tires just touch it at full lock.JPG
toe board brace. my 15 inch tires just touch it at full lock.JPG (118.25 KiB) Viewed 4083 times
lower plate bolts to main steering box bolts. this makes frame rigid.JPG
lower plate bolts to main steering box bolts. this makes frame rigid.JPG (132.58 KiB) Viewed 4083 times
drivers side brace for steering box.JPG
drivers side brace for steering box.JPG (124.77 KiB) Viewed 4083 times
box top brace.JPG
box top brace.JPG (119.97 KiB) Viewed 4083 times
"Racing makes heroin addiction look like a vague wish for something salty" - Peter Egan

Keith Law
1973 2 Door Slalom/hill climb/road race / canyon carver /Giant Killer 510
1971 Vintage 13' BOLER trailer
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icehouse
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Location: Everett Wa

Re: 510 chassis/subframe upgrades to compensate for added hp

Post by icehouse »

bertvorgon wrote: 10 Jan 2019 13:17 Funny, I was looking at some pictures today, and these popped up. One of the best mods I did for steering/frame flex was to REALLY triangulate the steering box brace, not just some little plate to the body, with a small back up pieces.

With real race tires we did a test and watched the frame really start to twist at the box mounting area, so Andy and I came up with this setup.

As a heads up, the brace to the drivers toe board must accommodate the tallest tire you might run in terms of full steering lock. I have lost just a hair of left turn capability as when we did this, 23" tall tires x 15" were not the norm. No biggy in 99% of turning situations.

Bottom line it made a seat of the pants feel difference.
Why didn't you guys just put a rack in it? I can see why the average dude doesn't, but you two! Cake!
"People don't like it when shit doesn't match their rule of thumb." Sam
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bertvorgon
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Re: 510 chassis/subframe upgrades to compensate for added hp

Post by bertvorgon »

Called clearance!
"Racing makes heroin addiction look like a vague wish for something salty" - Peter Egan

Keith Law
1973 2 Door Slalom/hill climb/road race / canyon carver /Giant Killer 510
1971 Vintage 13' BOLER trailer
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icehouse
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Re: 510 chassis/subframe upgrades to compensate for added hp

Post by icehouse »

clearance around your already built exhaust?
"People don't like it when shit doesn't match their rule of thumb." Sam
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bertvorgon
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Re: 510 chassis/subframe upgrades to compensate for added hp

Post by bertvorgon »

Where would I put the rack.....
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IMG_7978.JPG
IMG_7978.JPG (124.8 KiB) Viewed 4030 times
IMG_7972.JPG
IMG_7972.JPG (145.43 KiB) Viewed 4030 times
"Racing makes heroin addiction look like a vague wish for something salty" - Peter Egan

Keith Law
1973 2 Door Slalom/hill climb/road race / canyon carver /Giant Killer 510
1971 Vintage 13' BOLER trailer
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icehouse
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Re: 510 chassis/subframe upgrades to compensate for added hp

Post by icehouse »

bertvorgon wrote: 11 Jan 2019 16:16 Where would I put the rack.....

Just convert the motor to front sump. That's what we did on our L series racecar.
"People don't like it when shit doesn't match their rule of thumb." Sam
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bertvorgon
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Re: 510 chassis/subframe upgrades to compensate for added hp

Post by bertvorgon »

There is no way in hell I would do that now....plus, is not the anti-roll bar in the way?
"Racing makes heroin addiction look like a vague wish for something salty" - Peter Egan

Keith Law
1973 2 Door Slalom/hill climb/road race / canyon carver /Giant Killer 510
1971 Vintage 13' BOLER trailer
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icehouse
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Re: 510 chassis/subframe upgrades to compensate for added hp

Post by icehouse »

bertvorgon wrote: 11 Jan 2019 17:28 There is no way in hell I would do that now....plus, is not the anti-roll bar in the way?
Yeah I thought we were talking about back when your bad ass racecar? yeah wouldn't be any point now. You'd have to redo to many things.
"People don't like it when shit doesn't match their rule of thumb." Sam
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bertvorgon
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Re: 510 chassis/subframe upgrades to compensate for added hp

Post by bertvorgon »

When you look back at the time period when I built the car, 1978, our steering boxes were in excellent shape, and, there was not the selection of racks out there that you can choose from now. Most everything was still steering boxes.

It was not till we all started running the bigger and stickier slicks that that we all at almost the same time, had the dreaded steering wheel shake, which we determined was the worn worm and sector gear.

We all upgraded to the HL510 box, put BRAND NEW worm and sectors in and on we we went. Mine is still there today but I must admit, at 27 years since we did that, it is getting that "on center" wear issue, still passable, but thankfully I'm not using full on race tires.
"Racing makes heroin addiction look like a vague wish for something salty" - Peter Egan

Keith Law
1973 2 Door Slalom/hill climb/road race / canyon carver /Giant Killer 510
1971 Vintage 13' BOLER trailer
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