First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List ......................................................................... Well, as Joe said, the 455 is a great engine but it's not going to tweak your car unless you are having one built up to do 600HP or more (just a random number). I've been running a 455 in mine since 2001 and I don't have subframe connectors nor the X brace. The body does flex a bit (more frome the road than the engine). This kit from Hotchkis looks very nice (but I don't have any experience with it first hand): http://www.hotchkis.net/6769_camarofirebird_convertible_chassis_max_kit.html There aren't too many out there designed for the convertibles that you don't have to cut through the floor but this one claims that you don't. I use their anti-sway bars and I'm very happy with them so I might consider using this kit when I take the car apart for paint. Hugo
--- On Sun, 6/28/09, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote: From: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: [FGF] Sub frame help To: [email protected] Date: Sunday, June 28, 2009, 9:08 AM First Generation Firebird-L Mailing List .......................................................................... Hello list, I have been out of the country and lurking in the rear for several months. I have recently found some time and I am in the process of rebuilding and then installing a 455 in my 68 Convertible. The original was prepared by Greg Merrick but he did a very poor job of it and I pulled the ehgine out and am selling off whatever good bits that remain. I started over with a low milage engine out a hearse. The Block Shop, probably the best in Denver, did the machcine work. It is presently in the assembly stage. I am wondering if anyone out there can advise me on the sub frames to reinforce the the body integity that will be needed with the higher tourque from the 455. Such things as Manufacturers, best quality, best design for convertibles. tips and traps of installation. Other things that should be replaced while undr the car for the installation procedure. Etc. Also it would seem that the easiet way to install them would be to load the car with weight representing passengers and support it level on all four wheels on a lift or some type of supports and then install and weld the subframes in place. Please any comments or thoughts on this procedure. Please feel free to critisize and point me in the right direction for a sucessful installation. Larry Diede, Arvada, Colorado. Where the scenery is part of your salary. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Submissions to Firebird-L: <[email protected]> Unsubscribe from Firebird-L: <[email protected]> Help: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/firebird/Firebird-L.html> Classifieds: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/ubb/> Owner Pictures: <http://FirstGenFirebird.org/show/>
