Minitub wheel wells, worth adding back reinforcement
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 92
From: West Warwick RI, postal code: 02893
Car: Building LS3, T56 Z28
Engine: LS3
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: Moser/ 4.11
Minitub wheel wells, worth adding back reinforcement
When installing minitubs you need to cut out a bunch of stuff.
One of those things is inner structures that bridge the B pillar to the trunk hump area.
I will be installing a 4 point.
Is it worth rebuilding this structure in some way even if there will be a 4 point in the car and SFCs?
DS

PS

I have old SFCs and an old 6 point that I had to cut out of the car because I installed them so poorly as a kid. So I have plenty of tubing that I could use to make things stronger. Just not sure how this will all play with the plastics going in. I know I will need to modify them quite a bit to fir the tubs already so maybe not a big deal.
Just want to know if this area of the car could be weak now.
Thanks.
One of those things is inner structures that bridge the B pillar to the trunk hump area.
I will be installing a 4 point.
Is it worth rebuilding this structure in some way even if there will be a 4 point in the car and SFCs?
DS

PS

I have old SFCs and an old 6 point that I had to cut out of the car because I installed them so poorly as a kid. So I have plenty of tubing that I could use to make things stronger. Just not sure how this will all play with the plastics going in. I know I will need to modify them quite a bit to fir the tubs already so maybe not a big deal.
Just want to know if this area of the car could be weak now.
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 92
From: West Warwick RI, postal code: 02893
Car: Building LS3, T56 Z28
Engine: LS3
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: Moser/ 4.11
Re: Minitub wheel wells, worth adding back reinforcement
Oh yeah, there will be no rear seats in the car.
Supreme Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 34
From: Spring Hill, Fl.
Car: 87 iroc-z
Engine: 454
Transmission: th350
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Minitub wheel wells, worth adding back reinforcement
i'll be following as i'm about to cut that area out.
i do have a roll bar that extends to the rear. really hoping that will help structurally.
nice work BTW!
i do have a roll bar that extends to the rear. really hoping that will help structurally.
nice work BTW!
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 92
From: West Warwick RI, postal code: 02893
Car: Building LS3, T56 Z28
Engine: LS3
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: Moser/ 4.11
Re: Minitub wheel wells, worth adding back reinforcement
Thanks redneckjoe. If you want to see more pics of my install process click the link in my profile. That is my build thread.
Supreme Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 34
From: Spring Hill, Fl.
Car: 87 iroc-z
Engine: 454
Transmission: th350
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Minitub wheel wells, worth adding back reinforcement
thank you for the link. i found it helpful. i'm about to start cutting in a few minutes. i surely dont want to screw this up, lol.
if you have any helpful tips, LMK.
if you have any helpful tips, LMK.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 92
From: West Warwick RI, postal code: 02893
Car: Building LS3, T56 Z28
Engine: LS3
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: Moser/ 4.11
Re: Minitub wheel wells, worth adding back reinforcement
Cut a small sliver out in an area you know needs to go, then cut another and repeat. Apart from that, not much advice to give.
Depending on how wide you want to go, keep in mind the diameter of the socks you want to run. If you push super wide, your shocks could get in the way of a custom wheel.
Depending on how wide you want to go, keep in mind the diameter of the socks you want to run. If you push super wide, your shocks could get in the way of a custom wheel.
Supreme Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 34
From: Spring Hill, Fl.
Car: 87 iroc-z
Engine: 454
Transmission: th350
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Minitub wheel wells, worth adding back reinforcement
thats about what what i'm doing, a little at a time. the shocks are getting moved in 3 3/4". already got that fabbed.
when i built the roll bar i tied into the piece your discussing. unfortunatley i have to cut those pieces back out. but maybe it will give you some ideas? IDK if that brace is for side impact or something?

when i built the roll bar i tied into the piece your discussing. unfortunatley i have to cut those pieces back out. but maybe it will give you some ideas? IDK if that brace is for side impact or something?







