Frame strength - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ghinmi · 11-27-2010, 10:03 PM

I haven't been able to find anything on here regarding frame strength. I've got the bare frame laying here and it seems fairly easy to twist. I was wondering if anyone did anything to stiffen them up? Things like welding the crossmembers in or boxing them? I will be doing a full cage so maybe I'm just being paranoid? I am looking to put around 1000 horsepower through it eventually. Any advice would be appreciated.

cableguy0 · 11-27-2010, 11:11 PM

At a for real legit 1000 horsepower you need to be looking at doing a full tube chassis. There arent many stock frames capable of handling that without twisting.

**regan wilson** · 11-27-2010, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghinmi

I haven't been able to find anything on here regarding frame strength. I've got the bare frame laying here and it seems fairly easy to twist. I was wondering if anyone did anything to stiffen them up? Things like welding the crossmembers in or boxing them? I will be doing a full cage so maybe I'm just being paranoid? I am looking to put around 1000 horsepower through it eventually. Any advice would be appreciated.

All it takes is a well built cage with front and rear strut bars . I've been trying to tear mine up for 31 years with no success . I havent hurt it with 1200hp.

ghinmi · 11-28-2010, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by regan wilson

All it takes is a well built cage with front and rear strut bars . I've been trying to tear mine up for 31 years with no success . I havent hurt it with 1200hp.

That's what I was hoping to hear. I didn't think it'd be a problem based on some other stuff we've built. The engine that's going in it right now is in the 550 horsepower range and I'm not so worried about that. Just thinking into the future since I'm starting from scratch.
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Super73 · 11-28-2010, 01:36 PM

People are putting 1000+ hp through 4th gen f-bods with sub frame connectors and a cage. I'm sure they would pretzel up before one of these truck frames with a cage attached to it.

vin63 · 11-29-2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghinmi

I haven't been able to find anything on here regarding frame strength. I've got the bare frame laying here and it seems fairly easy to twist. I was wondering if anyone did anything to stiffen them up? Things like welding the crossmembers in or boxing them? I will be doing a full cage so maybe I'm just being paranoid? I am looking to put around 1000 horsepower through it eventually. Any advice would be appreciated.

Our frames are actually pretty strong with all of the integral sheetmetal attached. Assuming you'll be making upwards of 800 ft-lb, or more, of torque with your 1000 hp engine combination, I would think about a roll cage that included forward bars to the front part of the frame, as well as rearward bars from the main hoop, landing at the rear of the frame. I recently boxed the frame of my '63 and added forward bars with a front motor plate attachment accommodate the added torque of my new Pontiac engine combo, but I'm only making 525 hp/600 ft-lb.

Keith Seymore · 11-29-2010, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vin63

[COLOR="Navy"]Our frames are actually pretty strong with all of the integral sheetmetal attached.

Agree - a truck frame is WAY stronger than a passenger car frame.

K

Irish's_79_Step · 11-29-2010, 09:22 PM

I have a 73 short Stepside. i thoguht the same thing so i boxed out a little over half the frame almost to the trans cross member. after getting about 2 feet boxed on both sides i had almost no flex in the frame. from trying to twist it with my hands. i plan on having a full cage put in after i get it back together. also planning on around 1k HP. Just my two cents.

kpeztruck · 11-30-2010, 05:26 PM

I welded some of the crossmembers to top and bottom of frame. I am not sure if it was nesc., I was just paranoid. Installed 12 point cage with funnycar cage. Certified to 7.50 with NHRA. I put well over 1000 hp through mine with stock suspension, and have not had any problems yet. Enjoy it, it's a blast to bust off mid-five second runs in the 1/8, and see people's faces after each run. This truck got more people stopping by in the pits after one pass, than our index car has gotten in 4 years! Paul Baxter

darthwall · 12-21-2010, 03:35 AM

im not 100% sure but. you look at a truck frame and look at a nova/camaro frame and there is none then look at the chevelle and cutless frame?

vin63 · 12-21-2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darthwall

im not 100% sure but. you look at a truck frame and look at a nova/camaro frame and there is none then look at the chevelle and cutless frame?

This is true, the X-bodies utilize a subframe configuration, while the A-bodies had a full frame with a rocker kick out design.

11-27-2010, 10:03 PM	#1
ghinmi Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Middleville, MI Posts: 14	Frame strength I haven't been able to find anything on here regarding frame strength. I've got the bare frame laying here and it seems fairly easy to twist. I was wondering if anyone did anything to stiffen them up? Things like welding the crossmembers in or boxing them? I will be doing a full cage so maybe I'm just being paranoid? I am looking to put around 1000 horsepower through it eventually. Any advice would be appreciated. __________________ 1983 Jeep Cherokee 2 door LWB '71 C10 frame shortened to 110" wb, turbo HEMI powered, autocross project 1977 Jeep Wagoneer 4 door Looks stock, 83mm Bullseye turbocharged AMC 401

11-27-2010, 11:11 PM	#2
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	Re: Frame strength At a for real legit 1000 horsepower you need to be looking at doing a full tube chassis. There arent many stock frames capable of handling that without twisting. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

11-28-2010, 01:36 PM	#5
Super73 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bay Area, Ca Posts: 2,841	Re: Frame strength People are putting 1000+ hp through 4th gen f-bods with sub frame connectors and a cage. I'm sure they would pretzel up before one of these truck frames with a cage attached to it. __________________ ------Motor---------------Bottle 60'---1.53---------------1.41 1/8---6.58 @ 105.92----5.87 @ 118.41 1/4---10.38 @ 126.97----9.24 @ 142.49

11-29-2010, 09:22 PM	#8
Irish's_79_Step Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 122	Re: Frame strength I have a 73 short Stepside. i thoguht the same thing so i boxed out a little over half the frame almost to the trans cross member. after getting about 2 feet boxed on both sides i had almost no flex in the frame. from trying to twist it with my hands. i plan on having a full cage put in after i get it back together. also planning on around 1k HP. Just my two cents.

11-30-2010, 05:26 PM	#9
kpeztruck Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Canton, GA Posts: 229	Re: Frame strength I welded some of the crossmembers to top and bottom of frame. I am not sure if it was nesc., I was just paranoid. Installed 12 point cage with funnycar cage. Certified to 7.50 with NHRA. I put well over 1000 hp through mine with stock suspension, and have not had any problems yet. Enjoy it, it's a blast to bust off mid-five second runs in the 1/8, and see people's faces after each run. This truck got more people stopping by in the pits after one pass, than our index car has gotten in 4 years! Paul Baxter

12-21-2010, 03:35 AM	#10
darthwall Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: washington Posts: 274	Re: Frame strength im not 100% sure but. you look at a truck frame and look at a nova/camaro frame and there is none then look at the chevelle and cutless frame?



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