To Mini Tub or Not to Mini Tub

[Tucks69]

I am getting ready to start on my 69 Camaro. I am straddling the fence on the mini-tub job. Is it really worth all the effort. My dad just mini tubbed his 55 150 and he hates it. How will the car drive with superwide tires on the back. Let me know the Pro's and the Con's.

Mike

[Boesch]

I would take a look at 69 camaro's that you like the look of. Ask the guys what size wheels/tires they are running and if they mini tubbed or not. If you like the look and it takes mini tubs to get it, then go for it. If you like the look of cars with the smaller widths, then there's no point in mini-tubing. Unless you get ridiculous in width (15 inches wide or so) it shouldn't drive bad. Take into consideration that a factory corvette comes with 285 rear tires on it and they drive wonderful.

Dustin

[MrQuick]

I also advise my peeps that are flippin to go ahead with the mini tub and if they don't like it they can always run a "normal" sized rim and tire combo.
It really isn't a permanent thing but its nice to have an option after the fact. Just because you now have a large tub it dosn't mean you have to fill it. But deciding that you want to after its all said and done will cost you later.

If I only had a dollar for every time I heard "man, I should have tubbed it"...wait, I think I do. LOL

[Modo Innovations]

I also advise my peeps that are flippin to go ahead with the mini tub and if they don't like it they can always run a "normal" sized rim and tire combo.
It really isn't a permanent thing but its nice to have an option after the fact. Just because you now have a large tub it dosn't mean you have to fill it. But deciding that you want to after its all said and done will cost you later.

If I only had a dollar for every time I heard "man, I should have tubbed it"...wait, I think I do. LOL

Well said Vince.

[streetk14]

After having a car that is mini-tubbed (with DSE deep tubs), I will never have an older car that is not mini-tubbed. The car looks completely stock from inside the trunk but can fit a set of 11" wide rear wheels with 315 tires with no rubbing, even at full suspension travel. I am changing my wheels soon to 18's, and I will most likely do a 335/30/18 in the back without any issue.

FWIW, I was running the typical 17X9.5" with 5.5" backspace rear wheels that most guys have on 1st gen f-bodies on my other camaro that is not mini-tubbed. I had both 275s and 285s on the back of that car, but did have rubbing issues on the inside when going up driveways at any angle, etc.

I really like being able to fit big tires and not worry one bit about them rubbing. Well worth the investment if you ask me. And like Vince said, there are modern sports cars that come with some wide rubber. 345s on the Viper and 325s on the Z06 just to name a few. I can tell you that my car drives great, so I wouldn't worry about that.

Andy

[Vegas69]

Mini tubbing is a huge deal. It's a huge expense for starters. To do it right you really need custom wheels, narrowed rear end, different suspension, labor,,blah blah blah. It just doesn't make sense to have 600 horsepower with 275's. I say do it if you can afford it. I hate to do this to you:


Ahhh what the hell
Courtesy of SW

Bad ass

[monza]

Mini Tub for sure, drives great and as said above looks bad ass!
You'll hate the "should have tubbed it dude." That's good advice above.
If your going all out on a restoration, 500+ HP, it would be a shame not to plan it at this stage.....

[brightbuilt]

Mini tubs are the way to go,

I don,t care what it costs, you will be glad you did it. We are just finishing one up right now. 69 RS/SS convertible, 18x8 & 20x11s. It's got a Wayne Doo front clip, Detroit four link, narrowed rear, coilovers & big brakes at all four corners, LS7 drysump, auto trans, custom spintech exhaust, street & performance chrome serpintine kit. Other features include saved firewall, custom inner finders, bad ass gas assisted billit hood hinges, booster & master under dash, under dash vintage air unit, stainless fuel tank. The car is black with black top, red engine & trans, under carrage is bodywork painted and polished to a mirrior shine, custom interior red & black by Recovery Room. ALL & ALL, BAD ASS.

Check out some photos of it at brightbuilthotrods.com Will be posting more photos soon.


JUST TUB IT !

[Tucks69]

Thanks for the advice. I will probably do the mini tub. I guess if i am going to build it, I might as well go all out. At least I have my 68 Camaro Beater to drive. My bonus comes next month so DSE will be getting a call or a visit.


Mike

[68Formula]

I like the look, but decided against it for my situation.

My personal reasons not to mini-tub:

• Original rust-free factory metal. Don't have the heart to chop it.
• Requires more than just the tubs. Rear seat needs to be removed or notched. Leaf springs moved, or new rear suspension. On a convertible, you'll need to cut and reweld the trunk brace.
• Cost. Add up all the above, plus if I were to do it, I'd want a narrowed rearend to get the wide-lip look. Adds up fast! I'm on a tight budget, so I have to be careful about spending too much money in one area. There is plenty more things I will be spending on.
  Function. Some say you don't want more than 50mm difference front to rear tread width. If that's true than now you have to figure out how to go wider on the front.

Anyway it looks awesome and probably helps hooking up straightline on low profile tires. But you have to consider the cost and effort and decide for yourself. Go through and plan the build in detail along with the associated cost such that you know exactly what you will need and how much it will cost. Then decide if it's right for your situation.

[Roadrage David]

I did the DSE mini tub , but my mecanic disieded to do it without the U beam and came up with a lesser time consuming option and not cutting up the body work that mutch..

[Part Time]

I did the DSE mini tub , but my mecanic disieded to do it without the U beam and came up with a lesser time consuming option and not cutting up the body work that mutch..

Can we see some shots of the bottom side of this shock mount arrangement? What shocks did you end up going with? Looks like a very smart alternative, providing the shock travel is sufficient. More info. please!

[Roadrage David]

ok here you go. my mecanic did some serius thinking hes into heavy competition raceing with a 68 camaro on cirquits like zolder and spa umnongst others. so this guy know what hes on about. afther seeing the instruction cd that came along with the mini tub system, he was kinda amused and sirprized about the complexeti of it all ..
pictures enclosed.. i have more how it looks now when the car is nearly ready but need to delete some stuf first befor i can put them up here..

[Roadrage David]

Here is how it looks now koni shocks where used(made in holland).. this way it makes it a lot more ez to mini tub for everybody and its just as strong . no damage to the floor,s structual integrety is done. and it looks more wel stock i gues..

[JMarsa]

I consider them a 5K (materials, labor, wheel cost increase, and tire cost increase) option for 2-2.5 inches of tire. It's up to you.

--JMarsa

[bretcopsey]

I consider them a 5K (materials, labor, wheel cost increase, and tire cost increase) option for 2-2.5 inches of tire. It's up to you.

--JMarsa

While this is true if you buy the DSE deep tubs and pay someone to do the install, you could save some cash by going the route many did before the deep tubs were available by splitting the factory tubs and welding in a strip of sheetmetal. Assuming one has the ability to do the work themselves, notching the frame and moving the shocks/springs wouldn't be that difficult either. This is the plan I am going to follow. You would still have the expense of wide rims and tires.

[MarkM66]

I consider them a 5K (materials, labor, wheel cost increase, and tire cost increase) option for 2-2.5 inches of tire. It's up to you.

--JMarsa

That would more then pay for itself in resale. IMO.

[Boesch]

With regards to extra wheel costs, consider that you can get a 10" rim in any diameter from Intro without incurring extra costs. If you want to go above that we have to custom make an outer hoop which adds $600 per wheel. Of course this is only how we handle it, but it gives you an idea.
Dustin

[68Formula]

Like I said plan it out and then price it out in detail before you make a move. Figure out every inch. Gonna narrow the rearend? Different suspension or just move it inboard, what about the rear seat (carpet or notch it), wheel width and backspace, tire size, gas tank narrowing, etc. etc. Don't estimate or guess. Make a spreadsheet listing the modification, parts required, vendor name, and cost. Don't forget to find out shipping as bigger or heavier items can be expensive. Or tax if its local parts or labor. When you are done add about 20% because there are always hidden costs. Then make your decision. And don't forget to be realistic of your own capabilities or the ability to get help from someone else (sometimes promises don't work out and you can find yourself stuck with a half done project).

As for modifications paying for themselves, I find this to be rarely true unless you can do all the work yourself and you consider your labor free.

[NOPANTS-68]

I have the DSE kit on my car. The car drives better IMO with the 315s then it did with the 235s that were on it. If I were to build another car tomorrow, it would be the first mod I did. It is a commitment of time and money, but you can't beat the tire/wheel combo options and looks. Most hardcore Nova people peer into my trunk and still can't see how I run that wide of a tire. Go for it dude!