F41 and aftermarket bracing diagrams (MORE pics added)

[cdoublejj]

can the frame rails not be boxed in?

 

[GuysMonteSS]

I added the bar that ties the rear shock upper mounts together. They are a quick and easy bolt on with no modifications what so ever. I have the lower control arm to upper control arm braces also installed. I built the brace that ties at the rear of the frame. I can think of no other braces that would stiffen the back.View attachment 46443 View attachment 46444 View attachment 46445

Wow does that ever look clean !!!
Guy

 

[xitabl442]

can the frame rails not be boxed in?

I think somewhere in this thread UMI posted that they haven't boxed the frame on their Green Machine autocross car, with no visible signs of distress after several seasons of track use. Just their braces are installed on the car.

 

[Jim hopper]

All this bracing talk got me to thinking.

A few hours later this is what I made up.

Frame with "stock" and aftermarket bracing:

GM body braces, forgot to make a legend on this one:

Now the tuff one to do, overlay:

Hope you enjoy.

Thats nice but i bout the car all dune it was a race car that i am converting to street strip now but I believe its all dune thanks

 

[melloelky]

here's a rear brace i made a few years ago.

 

[ed1948]

Re: DIY rear frame brace - I would like to see an 'as installed pic' please. Not too heavy?

 

[melloelky]

Re: DIY rear frame brace - I would like to see an 'as installed pic' please. Not too heavy?

I'm sorry this is the only picture i have of it installed.it's not very heavy,it's only 1/8 wall.
please disregard the rust pipe under the car 🙂

 

[ck1984]

are these braces more to bring performance to cornering and handling, not so much ride quality?

 

[pagrunt]

are these braces more to bring performance to cornering and handling, not so much ride quality?

The added bracing, factory & aftermarket/home brewed are ment to both ad performance & ride quality as the frames on our cars are too thin for their own good & have way too much flex. My frame has the front braces for the F41 option & the G.P. bar plus a 32mm/1.25" sway bar. Out back I have the UMI upper shock mount frame brace & a rear sway bar off a '79 Hurst/Olds that is about 1". I do want to make a least a extra brace to go between the rear bumper shocks to make the rear abit more stiffer. There is a ton of impovemnts that can be done to our frames to make them ride & handle better.

 

[ck1984]

2000.malibu.ls, Like Longroof says, do as many as you can. They make a huge difference in the overall handling and ride of the car.

My wagon, can't use the seat braces, but has or will be getting the rest.

The Jounce bars really helped steering, no more flex where the box mounts.

The second best was the hitch. Do a search here. I posted a shot of both the hitch and a brace I made on the Cutlass.

I have not found boxing the frame needed, yet. Between all the bracing and poly body mounts, the cars gets plenty stiff.

I drag race the Cutlass so it has a rollbar, so the frame is braced fine.

The Wagon is my driver so it will never come apart enough to box the frame.

Longroof79, Thanks.

Get that hitch ASAP, made a world of difference on my 83 wagon.

were you able to do any of this with car completely assembled?
I daily drive mine until october and wont winter drive it but still dont want to disassmble entire car to do this, especially with no lift of any kind