g body help

[Muffin man]

I am working on a 79 malibu and have a question on the 9 x 30 slick and the clearance of the rear of the frame. Can I lightly trim the area so the tire does not rub? I have looked into the nhra rule book and only see that the inner fender cannot be changed but no mention of "notching the frame permitted" Please help.

[strange1]

I did not check the rule book. However, I do not think you can notch the frame. That being said, it is not needed. I run an O/SA Malibu wagon. You can run a 3.5 backspacing, 8in wheel or I personally run a 4in backspacing, 8in wheel and a 1/4in spacer. Either of these with 30x9 tires should clear if the rear end is the stock length.

Robert Strane
Stk 2061

[Mike Taylor 3601]

2 words,BIG HAMMER
Mike Taylor 3601

[FireSale]

What Mike said with a choice swear word inserted between "big" and "hammer".

You can't notch the frame in stock but the inner fender well is fair game. Remove any remaining undercoating and heat it with a torch, then bang it back as best you can with a BFH. If you don't have one, your tool box is incomplete.

Dale

[Bob]

Originally Posted by Muffin man

I am working on a 79 malibu and have a question on the 9 x 30 slick and the clearance of the rear of the frame. Can I lightly trim the area so the tire does not rub? I have looked into the nhra rule book and only see that the inner fender cannot be changed but no mention of "notching the frame permitted" Please help.

This reply will be unpopular by some but here goes!

First off, do not come onto a message board and announce your intentions. I know you are simply looking for guidance, but now every tech guy and racer with a similar combo will be looking at your car.

Second, things like frame and chassis modifications seem to be the normal now days. Take a close look at late model Camaros and Firebirds. How is it some sit over the rear tire and some sit with the tire tucked under? And it's very obvious to just about everyone when there are a half dozen next to each other in the staging lanes. As for the G bodies, their is no better example of the modifications that go unnoticed than the old Forester Old's that's now running in Division 3 and 4. The rear tires sit completely tucked up into the rear tub. I'll bet you could fit a 10.5 tire in there. Any smart man would simply measure inside the trunk, between the wheel wells. I'd bet the tubs are 4 inches closer together in that car than an "average" G body. One would think parking two cars side by side and measuring between tubs or frame rails would be an easy way to check for this stuff.

Enough of my rant. Make your changes subtle and discreet. No one will notice if you don't call attention to yourself.

[Adger Smith]

Bob,
They have allowed "Mini" tub modifications (if done correctly, Stealthy) for years. I first noticed quite a few Camaros done that way. Today is a far cry from the days when I saw a Chevy 11 that had the finders "pushed" out get told not to come back until the body panels were put back stock. There was also a Fairlane that had fender/body panel issues that was told to get it put back stock. How about it, RJ?
I guess the "Old Days" of strict body rules are not with us anymore.

[Robert Swartz]

Originally Posted by Adger Smith

Bob,
They have allowed "Mini" tub modifications (if done correctly, Stealthy) for years. I first noticed quite a few Camaros done that way. Today is a far cry from the days when I saw a Chevy 11 that had the finders "pushed" out get told not to come back until the body panels were put back stock. There was also a Fairlane that had fender/body panel issues that was told to get it put back stock. How about it, RJ?
I guess the "Old Days" of strict body rules are not with us anymore.

Yup, what Adger says! Learned the hard way. Don't call attention to your car. Your fellow competitors and tech guys will look at your car with more scrutiny.

Yes, it is funny the difference you can see looking at two different cars of the same type setting side by side in the staging lanes.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Bob

This reply will be unpopular by some but here goes!

First off, do not come onto a message board and announce your intentions. I know you are simply looking for guidance, but now every tech guy and racer with a similar combo will be looking at your car.

Second, things like frame and chassis modifications seem to be the normal now days. Take a close look at late model Camaros and Firebirds. How is it some sit over the rear tire and some sit with the tire tucked under? And it's very obvious to just about everyone when there are a half dozen next to each other in the staging lanes. As for the G bodies, their is no better example of the modifications that go unnoticed than the old Forester Old's that's now running in Division 3 and 4. The rear tires sit completely tucked up into the rear tub. I'll bet you could fit a 10.5 tire in there. Any smart man would simply measure inside the trunk, between the wheel wells. I'd bet the tubs are 4 inches closer together in that car than an "average" G body. One would think parking two cars side by side and measuring between tubs or frame rails would be an easy way to check for this stuff.

Enough of my rant. Make your changes subtle and discreet. No one will notice if you don't call attention to yourself.

Good post, Bob

There are plenty of guys here that will help you..Just PM them.

[Adger Smith]

Robert,
If you ever see a "real" stocker Cuda in the lanes parked beside a SSHemi Cuda take note of the windshield and other body lines. Some are done with real liberal application of "custom" body lines. ( there are engine compartment changes, too) A few years I got to see the car of Chuck Beach parked beside a "Well known" multi-even winning SS/Hemi Cuda. I had heard rumors of what had been done to some of them, but I got to take a first hand, er.. Eye full, look at the difference. I'm not just picking on the Cudas. I know "Things" get done to Chevies and Fords too. I just happened to see it for myself with those two Cudas.

[CrateCamaro]

Loosen the rear body bolts and ratchet strap the frame rails together. 29.5×9 MT radial will fit that car no problem and no modifications on a 8 inch rim with 4 1/2 to 4 3/4 backspace. A wagon seems to have more tire clearance. I always ran a 29×9 bias on my 2 door and they rubbed when i turned so i made sure they was no sharp edges on the frame and armoralled the inside of the tire....i know it sounds rediculous but it lasts for one day of beatings at the track.