my '84s rocker panels pretty much rotted out... hence it's retirement... right now the engine has been removed and just about the entire front clip... I am either going to part it out or tear it all the way down and do what's necessary to build a good solid frame for ~500 Hp... If it is possible I'd like to use my '84 for the basis, but if not I'll have to find some 4 or 6 banger '82-84 and build off of that.

thanks in advance

 

You do realize you have a unibody car right? There is no true frame.

 

Yes I realize that... it is a problem yes... but is it possible to replace the rocker panels? I was wondering how hard it might be to build up a frame and stick the body on that... I should really let this car just die peacefully, but I'd imagine something like this would be just the ticket for a 500 Hp build up... I have no need for this car to be on the road so I got all the time in the world, and eventually enough money.

The big question here is can I adapt a good unibody better than just flat out fabricating it?

 

Any part of the body including rocker panels can be changed.

To change the unibody to some sort of full frame will cost more than the car is worth. A complete tube chassis should start at around $10,000. It's not the parts but the labour needed to do it.

I'd love to tube chassis my car but the expense says I stay with what I got.

Start with a good foundation. I spent more money than I wanted when I bought my car but the body was in mint condition. No dents, no rust etc. For what it costs to fix up a poor body, you can spend the extra money to find a body in good condition and probably save money.

 

Guess I'll keep takin stuff off then LOL I'm sure I can find a good body floating around... there's a lot of good parts on this car though... The junkyard ain't getting more than a carcus when they tow this sucker away.