how far can i chopp

[1sicbu]

i'm getting ready to notch my frame this week,well i'm staring on monday.i just wanted to know how much can i take off this frame before it become's a problem.i have a set of 15/10 weld drag lite's and 325/50/15,and also a set of 28/13.5/15 et street i would like to use also.anyway my car is a stock suspension car,but i really want a nice size drag radial in the back.if anyone on here can help me i would really appctiate it.just need a little help thats all.

 

[Killerdave8813]

Hey Sicbu,
I havn't done the notch yet but have been contemplating for some time now,I have been a metal fabricator for years and from what I've discovered studying the G-body notch job is the only thing the frame it supporting after the notch job is the trunk,the suspension is pretty much all ahead of the area of the frame that gets trimmed,most people use the outside part of the frame that they cut off to weld back in and generally the have the frame trimmed to about 1/2 to 3/4" in that area but by my thinking if you needed an extra 1/4 to 1/2" which can be quite a bit when it comes to tire clearance I was figuring on filling the frame back in by cutting a peice of 1/4 or 3/8" plate and putting it into the notched portion of the fame,once it's all boxed in etc. it should be plenty strong and although maybe a little heavier you should have a little bit of extra room,Good Luck,KillerDave

 

[jitteryguy]

I took mine just past the factory weld and put the old piece back in bout flush, gain's about an inch . the upper controll arms are supported at the top of the notch'd erea so I weld'd all the brace'n up where the factory just tack'd em in .

 

[1sicbu]

thanks for the info.i needed that.also where did you get that killer front bumper killerdave?

 

[Doober]

They're aftermarket fiberglass, Honest Charley has 'em for sale, and nowunko here on the board has also started making (or made, it may be a per-order basis) rear bumpers for the Malibus, they already made rear ones for wagons.

 

[malibulvr]

I am in the middle of a notch and mini tub for 325/50 drag radials on my 'Bu now. The 325 is a big wide tire (over 13" sec width on 10" wheel),and it depends on how you are wanting the car to sit. If you want it low with the tire up in the fenderwell, IMO you need to notch all the way to the inner skin of the frame and reinforce on the backside. If you are OK with the car sitting at stock height and the tires not completely under the car, then you can get away with only cutting 1" out of the frame. On my car I am cutting all the way to the inner skin and reinforcing on the back side the roll cage tubing kinda like the "project grandma" thread car. Also I'm putting in a crossmember in the hoop between the springs and shocks, and a crossmember at the rear of the frame with triangulating braces. My set up right now will not allow me to put the car in the weeds, but I wanted to do the notch and mini tub deal one time and allow as much room for whatever I decide to do in the future. My next project will be to narrow my 12-bolt about 2" and then I will be able put the car down where I want it and won't have to redo my notch. I am also putting in a bigger deeper tub so I can go to a way taller tire if need be also. Good luck with it.

 

[1sicbu]

I am in the middle of a notch and mini tub for 325/50 drag radials on my 'Bu now. The 325 is a big wide tire (over 13" sec width on 10" wheel),and it depends on how you are wanting the car to sit. If you want it low with the tire up in the fenderwell, IMO you need to notch all the way to the inner skin of the frame and reinforce on the backside. If you are OK with the car sitting at stock height and the tires not completely under the car, then you can get away with only cutting 1" out of the frame. On my car I am cutting all the way to the inner skin and reinforcing on the back side the roll cage tubing kinda like the "project grandma" thread car. Also I'm putting in a crossmember in the hoop between the springs and shocks, and a crossmember at the rear of the frame with triangulating braces. My set up right now will not allow me to put the car in the weeds, but I wanted to do the notch and mini tub deal one time and allow as much room for whatever I decide to do in the future. My next project will be to narrow my 12-bolt about 2" and then I will be able put the car down where I want it and won't have to redo my notch. I am also putting in a bigger deeper tub so I can go to a way taller tire if need be also. Good luck with it.

thanks brother,i needed that.i know for sure what i want todo.thanks everyone 8)