G-body Perfromance Chassis
- Thread starter Brian @ Canadian Hot rods
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I did a quick and dirty measurement on my G8 - I think the track on a 2011+ Camaro is 4-5 " wider than the Malibu. What is your strategy?
Given how common modern negative offset rims are becoming, a useful detail would be a front suspension conversion that lets a buyer use the same wheel in both front and rear locations when swapping out to IRS.
When in a corner the side that compresses moves forward while the other side moves back due to the arc of the rear control arm
The way GM set up their parallel 4-links yes, not necessarily true for all 4 links, it just depends on bar angles.
Opie Knievel
Rum Fueled Midnight Mechanic and Moderator
As I'm sure you already know, the El Camino wheelbase is approximately 6" longer than any other A/G body vehicle, and there are differences between the rear part of the frame between the station wagon/El Camino and the coupe/sedan frame. What kind of shape is the rear part of the frame on your donor El Camino in?
You might be able to get some helpful information from Conrad Lozier. For a number of years, he was creating and selling rear frame replacement rails for the different types of '78-'88 A/G body vehicles. He's in the Woodstock Ontario area. He's getting to the point of retiring from the repair rail business, but he might be able to help. I'm sure that if you Google his name, that you can find contact information for him.
You might be able to get some helpful information from Conrad Lozier. For a number of years, he was creating and selling rear frame replacement rails for the different types of '78-'88 A/G body vehicles. He's in the Woodstock Ontario area. He's getting to the point of retiring from the repair rail business, but he might be able to help. I'm sure that if you Google his name, that you can find contact information for him.
Thanks! I will contact him.
The donor is not good, I can see why so many people are rebuilding these frames.
Google? https://www.google.ca/search?q=g+bo...nRu4XQAhXl1IMKHUt1CS8QsAQIHQ&biw=1680&bih=951
I am trying to be a little funny here, but you will find the cleanest G-bodies are usually lowriders. The underside of mine always look like rubberized undercoating.
You should consider adding adjustable pick up points on the frame side of the rear UCAs, not at the differential. Unless of course you are supplying the differential with the frame in all instances, otherwise you will be limited by the stock axle pick-up points.
Keep in mind that G-body owners are not necessarilly the most affluent folks going - so you will want to value engineer certain aspects of this frame - such as making it a modular approach (adding suspension upgrades as they go) vs. being bespokely engineered. Sinking $10K US into chassis under a $3000 car is not really viable.
You are going to need a better representation for mule testing your frame under a car that isn't rotted to hell - get a basic, clean, V6 car and start there. Mock-ups on anything less are going to be frustrating or impossible. Also, plan for the very wide production tolerances these cars have.
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