Mini Tub Fuel Tank Question and Tire Size Question

[GeoffP]

This is probably a simple question for someone in the know: Do you have to use a narrowed gas tank for a mini tubbed first gen Camaro if it has a 4 link suspension instead of leaf springs?

What other modifications aside from mini tubs have to be done to fit a tire wider than a 315 in a 68 Camaro?

If this is in the wrong forum, please move it - I wasn't sure where to post these questions and couldn't find the answer to either online (Yes, I know Search and Google are my friends).

Thanks!

[GeoffP]

I almost forgot - does anyone sell the pieces of steel needed for the frame patch when doing a mini tub installation?

[sjaroslo]

Geoff, I do not believe that you need a narrowed tank with a 4-link; the issue is with leaf springs. If you think about it, everything with a 4-link is in FRONT of the axle; fuel tank is to the rear.

I also thought I saw someone advertising those patch panels but I can't remember where--I'll have to look for that.

Now, you might need a narrowed 4-link with those mini-tubs, so don't overlook THAT.

[TheJDMan]

No! The stock tank will work just fine with mini-tubs and 4-link. The problem comes when you run leaf springs and mini-tubs because the rear shackles are moved inboard which will then cause the springs to interfear with the stock tank necessitating a narrower tank to clear the leaf springs.

[GeoffP]

Thanks guys! This is what I was thinking but wanted to be sure.

I thought I remembered someone selling the pieces to fill in the frame. It'd be nice to have those because I am definitely no metal fabricator.

I'm using the RideTech 4-Link setup so I should be good for tire clearance there.

[Garymac69]

I installed the Ridetech 4 link and have a stock tank, 335 tires on 18x12 wheels and 2 1/2" tailpipes routed over the axle. I did not narrow my 12 bolt and ended up with a 4" lip on the wheels. If you want the deep lip look you may narrow the rear.

Gary

[GeoffP]

Thanks Gary you made my day! The only thing I still don't know is what it takes to make a 335 wide tire fit on a 67-68 Camaro vs a 315. I was hoping I could use a stock width axle. I'll just need to figure out the wheel offset once it's done. Here's hoping I can squeeze some dollars somewhere to get the tubs bought!

[sjaroslo]

I have 325-30/19s on the rear but the car is tubbed and the rearend narrowed.... Don't know the wheel offset specs, unfortunately, sorry.

Here is a dissertation by someone everyone knows which helped me quite a bit; I'm sure I'm not the only one who got the spiel.

"On the rear a 325 / 30 / 19 is a huge tire and a comfortable fit on 67 / 68s. A 12" rim is 13" wide outside to outside. A 325 / 30 / 19 tire is 13" section width so the tire is perfectly square with the rim. Not bulging too much, not stretching too much.

On the front a 245 / 40 / 18 is a comfortable fit on 67 / 68s. A 8.5" rim is 9.5" wide outside to outside. A 245 / 40 / 18 tire is 9.7" section width so the tire is within a 1/10th of a inch per side (cannot see with the human eye) of being perfectly square with the rim. Not bulging too much, not stretching too much.

So this tire combo provides the perfect amount of tire bulge front to back.

For tire heights, I CANNOT stand when a front tire has more tire aspect ratio then the front, looks HORRIBLE and is a constant mistake many make. The front tires I choose are 25.7 tall on the front, perfect fit for the front wheel opening of a 67. At 25.7 that means the tire is 7.7" taller then the rim leaving almost 4' of tire around the rim which is good for ride and handling, and not too Rice burner-ish

On the rear, that tire is 26.7, again 7.7" taller then the 19" rim and I just love the way a 27" tire fills the rear wheels well. I think a 26" tire is too short, makes it look a bit like a donut in there.

So this combo provides the perfect amount of equal aspect ratio front to rear (tire showing around the rim) but still providing a nice 1" tire / wheel stagger."

[AintQik]

Most of us guys with the 4 links run a narrowed tank to help fit the exhaust. Without one its tough, but like mentioned doable.

[sjaroslo]

Most of us guys with the 4 links run a narrowed tank to help fit the exhaust. Without one its tough, but like mentioned doable.

That's a very good point. Although not narrowed, per se, my Rick's tank does have the front corners knocked off for exhaust pipe clearance--without that modification, either my tank or my exhaust would not have fit....

[Garymac69]

Here's hoping I can squeeze some dollars somewhere to get the tubs bought!

You could get your Camaro rear-ended and use the pain & suffering money for mini-tubs....

https://www.pro-touring.com/showthread.php?84309-My-Camaro-Wreck-amp-State-Farm-Insurance&highlight=state+farm

[GeoffP]

I remember that thread now - I even commented on it! Yah I hope I don't have to go through that to get my car tubbed! I've already been in a rear end collision about 15 years ago with my new to me at the time 95 Z28...did $2000 plus damage and I hadn't even owned the car 24 hours.

[srh3trinity]

I think the frame patch pieces come with the DSE tub kit. May be wrong on that.

[Garymac69]

I think the frame patch pieces come with the DSE tub kit. May be wrong on that.

The kit just comes with templates for the patch pieces.

[badazz81z28]

The kit just comes with templates for the patch pieces.

For that kind of $$$ should come complete...

[GeoffP]

It'd be nice but if DSE's tubs fit so much better than the others on the market then it must be worth it? Let's hope so because I'll probably be calling DSE on Monday!

[califconstruct]

Chassisworks has the close outs, and mini-tub kit.

[GeoffP]

Alston's don't look as "OE" as DSE's to me (or at least not in the pictures I saw on their website). I'm really picky about that stuff so I'll probably stick with DSE and try to make the filler pieces myself. Thanks anyway!!

[ROLLDAMTIDE]

The kit just comes with templates for the patch pieces.

For that kind of $$$ should come complete...
I think it's like it is b/c not all template pieces will be the same. There are too many variables.

[Garymac69]

I think it's like it is b/c not all template pieces will be the same. There are too many variables.

The templates are just a guide, as it depends on the amount cut out of the frame, plus all cars are different anyway. I know that the pieces were different from left to right side on my car. The pieces are just cut out of sheet steel and then roughly hammered/bent into shape before welding....no big deal. The DSE tubs do turn out nice, most people think they are stock looking inside the trunk.

[AintQik]

My DSE tubs look stock from the inside. People look a few times when they see my car with the trunk open. Its funny, they look at the tires, then the trunk, then really stick there head under the rear and look at the tires again, then the trunk... then walk over and read the tire, then look at the trunk again... then ask me. Lol.