A-body bolt-on braces

[hotrodalex]

Are there any good bolt-ons available for Chevelles/El Caminos to help stiffen up the frame and body? Obviously Camaros have plenty of options, such as this: https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/61384-New-HOTCHKIS-1st-Gen-CAMARO-HANDLE-BARS

Yesterday I bolted in some second-gen Camaro braces going from the fender to the radiator support, which seems to have helped a bit but of course you can never have too much! Unforunately I haven't been able to find much specifically for A-bodies.

[WallaceMFG]

There's braces for the rear that go between the trailing arms to stiffen it there. I built a set for my car, there's pictures in my build thread. I'm also going to build a brace between the coilovers to make sure they're stiff and wont move. For the front I haven't been able to find much, I'd like to see what people know as well.

Nelson

[raustinss]

There is a reason why you can't find them...that because they really aren't needed do to the fact of the car being a full frame ,now if you just want to add some for looks or some extra stiffening then giver. I would just grab some for a camaro and make them fit

[hotrodalex]

There's braces for the rear that go between the trailing arms to stiffen it there. I built a set for my car, there's pictures in my build thread. I'm also going to build a brace between the coilovers to make sure they're stiff and wont move. For the front I haven't been able to find much, I'd like to see what people know as well.

Nelson

Yeah I've seen the rear braces from DSE and others. On the list!


There is a reason why you can't find them...that because they really aren't needed do to the fact of the car being a full frame ,now if you just want to add some for looks or some extra stiffening then giver. I would just grab some for a camaro and make them fit

That's what I was starting to wonder. But obviously I don't have the means to do structural analysis so I wasn't totally sure.

[Nothingface5384]

G-bodies have them and theyre full frame
add them if you like, cant hurt
they have nice carbon fiber ones that will be light and look pretty


As for the Rear control arm braces..
there are 3 styles
Best style is the Hotchkis/UMI/DSE
2nd best is Global west
least is the slotted style be Edelbrock..

[Nicks67GTO]

There is a reason why you can't find them...that because they really aren't needed do to the fact of the car being a full frame ,now if you just want to add some for looks or some extra stiffening then giver. I would just grab some for a camaro and make them fit


This is a large misconception. The full frames are actually fairly weak by themselves. They certianly dont take impacts well and they flex pretty badly. I know the frame I just did {67 GTO} was a noodle until I boxed it. Last time I talked to Marc @ SC&C he said they were in the process of developing a front brace system similar to what the G-body guys use. You would have to call him for specifics though.

[BMR Sales]

G-bodies have them and theyre full frame
add them if you like, cant hurt
they have nice carbon fiber ones that will be light and look pretty


As for the Rear control arm braces..
there are 3 styles
Best style is the Hotchkis/UMI/DSE
2nd best is Global west
least is the slotted style be Edelbrock..

We make some Nice Control Braces that have been copied by others!

http://www.bmrsuspension.com/?page=products&productid=62&superpro=0

[raustinss]

Sorry one too many pops lol yes a body frames have no torsional rigidity to them, once the frame has been reinforced (numerous options out there) you will more then not need them. Having said that I'm doing both just for visual appeal and they definitely won't do any harm

[carguy662000]

not bolt on but hpi customs has a nice weld it kit looks awesome

[hotrodalex]

This is a large misconception. The full frames are actually fairly weak by themselves. They certianly dont take impacts well and they flex pretty badly. I know the frame I just did {67 GTO} was a noodle until I boxed it. Last time I talked to Marc @ SC&C he said they were in the process of developing a front brace system similar to what the G-body guys use. You would have to call him for specifics though.

Luckily the El Camino frames are already boxed.

I'll look into SC&C or maybe just see about fitting one from a Camaro. Need to do some comparison measurements, but they look fairly close. Unless someone would like to fund a Roadster Shop frame. LOL

[MrQuick]

What year do you have?

[Skip Fix]

The factory often boxed the rag top frames so I would guess they have too much flex. I think in a new magazine(maybe Hi Perf Pontaic) I saw and there was and add for a midframe brace for A bodies.

[hotrodalex]

What year do you have?

'69

[MuscleRodz]

Speedtech just released a frame bracing kit and HPI customs has one too.

[Nothingface5384]

FYI, UMI probably is the better rear frame support brace due to the slight bend in the bar, so no possible issues with bar to pan interference.

as for fender to core support braces
these are the coolest looking
http://www.gnsperformance.com/products/bodybrace.html#!bodyframe-g-body/c15ae
but any stock or aftermarket F-body or Gbody could be easily made to work

[Nothingface5384]

The G-bodies had the most Braces i think for any GM car lol
GP brace
jounce bars
fender to core support braces
firewall to core suport braces
X brace for radiator
X brace for rear seat
rear frame2control arm braces

IF SC&C makes an all in one GP brace/Jouncebar brace for our A-bodies that is fricking awesome

[Skip Fix]

The ad I saw was for weld ins for boxng the frame not bolt ins. I posted this yesterday with the manufacturer but it got deleted so I'll leave it out-must not be an approved sponsor.