?'s needed answered for building a 53 chevy gasser

I have been searching here and other places and found some good info but still have a few simple questions I am having a hard time finding.

The car like the ***le says is a 53 chevy all stock with the straight six cylinder in it still. My questions are:

1. what rear end width do I need and whats a good one to use. and the rim size to use along with it.
2. the frame on the car is it strong enough or does it need reinforced for a motor that makes around 500hp.
3. steering box and column what works best.
4. suspension info and suggestions for both the front and rear.
5. brakes what kind and type.
6. engine mounts to use for either a chevy or olds small block, along with the header application.

the front axle will probably be a kit from speedway motors unless there are other suggestions.

Any and all information anyone can help me with would be great. thanks

 

I would use a custom straight axle by WAC Customs but then again that is just me.



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If you buy a speedway kit with Chevy spindle boss's your stock front drum brakes will work.
If you run a ladder bar rear suspension make sure to use a floater style mount, then you can use your stock rear leaf springs with no bind.
A Ford 9" ,Dana 60 or chrysler 8 3/4 are all good rear diffs and cheaper than an Olds/Pontiac. The Dana's usually are 3:73 or 4:10 gears and a lot of time have factory posi units.

MELTDOWN DRAGS
JULY 18-20 2014

 

These threads have some good advice.


http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=822149

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=730747

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=729572

MELTDOWN DRAGS
JULY 18-20 2014

 

Here are a few 49-54 examples for ya.

MELTDOWN DRAGS
JULY 18-20 2014

 

I vote you build your own axle and run a 394 Olds, Hydro and an Olds or Pontiac rearend! Stay away from all the cookie cutter "g***er" style parts being flung and make it your own. This thing is going to be bad ***.

 

My thoughts would be to seek out the guys that run G***ers in your area if you intend to race.

I do know that the guys that run the G***ers in my neck of the woods have specific requirements to their rules and I would think they may not be the same with all groups in different areas. HRP

 

What about using stock front suspension with frame spacers. Good platform for a build.

 

I built a 51 g***er a couple years ago and have been racing and crankin on it since. I ran a speedway front axle with stock 51 drums.
I don't recommend the speedway axle for street driving cuz it bowed some with the weight of the car and I'm just running a sbc and a powerglide. I used a steering box out of a 63 bel air and it turns and handles great. I ran stock leaf springs and 2 link setup on the rear with a 63 chevy rear axle for the first year but had a lot of traction and axle wrap issues. Last winter I put in a 9" from a 59 ford car and speedway ladder bars and coil overs. It launches and handles great now.


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Oh yeah, if ya run speedway ladder bars, box them in before hard launches!


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I am in the early build stages of a 53 g***er.

 

I think the frame is strong enough, but I did reinforce the frt cross member under the rad. and made a center drop out for the trans X-member. Speedway 48" straight axle as it sits, but I will replace it with a 2" dropped unit 'cause I think it sits too high. I am using a '66 chevelle 12 bolt rear, with looong home built ladder bars. It will be a 4 speed so it will have a hyd clutch. Vega steering box ahead of the axle.