How much HP can a stock 50 Chevy sedan frame handle? Week spots? What should be reinforced for future V-8 install. Looking at possibly 400hp LS-2. Plans may change.
Probably depends on what you're doing with the car, if you're going to be setting it up for wheels in the air dragstrip action, then you might need to do a bit more work on it, but for a normal driver, the frame should be plenty strong. It comes "pre-boxed" by design. Just be careful with your engine/trans mounts, and all should be fine. Also don't go notching it for suspension/steering/rearaxle clearance.
Thanks. Going to be a driver, no drag time. Looking at doing the Mustang II front end. Nothing too crazy, a good dependable driver.
That would be a sweet setup. You can buy a smooth firewall now and the X member will have to be modified (with a Sazall). The "boxing plate" is tacked onto the bottom of the frame and I welded mine in for piece of mind but I don't think it is necessary. Spring for a new Tanks gas tank with the hole for the pump.
The clear and evident week spots could be rust and rot you don't see, unless you have pulled the body, ground it all down and inspected it. If it is solid, you aren't going to have any problems (unless you don't install that front clip properly)
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