How much torque can a E-body vert frame take??

[Olle B]

Well just wonder,,Its not that hard to get some 400,,450,,and easely much more HP out of your Big Block engine.
By that the torque also raise,,(often)!
Just a Q:
How much force can a original E-body convertible frame take before it appears to weak!
Ive heard of friends talking about twisted vertframes!!
Is it true??
Whats the weak point,,K-member?
Frame?
Enginerubbermounts?
Any comments?
Best R Olle B

[George G. Leverette]

Excellent question, my undddderstanding is that the convertible frames are boxed at specific locations for strength. Additional support can be provided by frame connectors. An additional brace between the rear would also be benificial.

[ehostler]

Definately go with the subframe connectors. The unibody is known to twist under high torque. In a hard top, the roof helps to reinforce the unibody. In the convertible, the beffed up the front and rear frames, however, the main body is still a weak point. That is what the subframe connectors will take care of.

[Olle B]

THANKS EHOSTLER YOU ARE ONE OF THE GURUS SO EXCUSE A POOR LITTLE UNUPDATED MOPARFAN FROM SWEDEN !!

How and where works this subframe,and at what rate is it any need for using it?
There must be much more 440-6p and Hemi convertibles running around out there today compared to 1970 but I never notice any comments concerning subframes,,offcourse it could be so wellknown that people dont have to talk about it !!
Maybe I will find the info needed by simply putting it as a "subframe vert Q"
Thanks Best R Olle B

Have you guys noticed my featured car?

http://www.powermagazine.com/article...ticle_id=10610

[70Barracuda]

Ollie, What doed it say on that link about a Kawasaki triple? I caught that part. I had a 72 750 H-2. Dangerous fast!!

[Olle B]

So you can read Swedish,,congrat!!
Well it just mention shortly that I run a Twostroke Tripple 500 before,nothing more!!

I can give you some facts of how it was.
In 1973 I bought a close to new 500,,I know the 750 was out there but I was looking for the peak power on the 500!
Ive run it for 25 years!,,,,and survive!!
The first 5-6 years I was a member of a technical intrested streetracer org and the expansionchambers,,big Mikunis and the cyl and crank from an H1-R daytona 500 version didnt make any harm!!
The sad thing about it was that with growing age and social engagement it was not that funny anylonger with a kamikazi bike that spun sideways when you puyt in the four,,so i sold it and bought the Challenger,,shall I regret it??
Best R Olle B

[ehostler]

The uni-body can take a lot of abuse. That's what made it such a good design choice. It all depends on how hard you push the car.

If you are doing a lot of racing with it, the sub-frame connectors would be a good idea. If it isn't raced too often, then you can probably get away without them.

The subframe connector can be made of channel iron or good square stock. If you look under the rear of the car, you will see where the rear frame is connected to the unibody. Draw a straight lin from there to the front cross frame (where the torsion bars are monted). The channel iron/square stock is cut to fit and then welded into place, between those two points.

Now the uni-body is no longer taking any of the stress.

[Olle B]

Hi
Thanks for the description!!
Best Olle B