I thought A.R.E. did this way back in the day Tom. Did it with the Silver Z and because of that was not considered "stock suspension"

 

DopeFedZ, I did not choose a backspacing yet. I may go with a 12" wheel and a BFT if I can relocate the LCA's without comprimising the geometry of the car. I know it can be moved over.

Slow Z28, Yes I do remember that about the ARE silver car. I'm really not worried about "stock location suspension rules". I bracket race 99% of the time and that is run what ya brung. Besides, I if I set the mounting brackets up to recieve the LCA in the OEM location AND also the modified location, I could change back over if need be.

 

what's the saying, the most obvious answer is often the one overlooked, hahaha. i overlooked that one

 

With the Wolfe spring perches and the right offset lcas you can get a 29.5w in the wheelwell with out relocating the lcas. Tom the only problem with moving the lca mounting point will be structural integrity. You will need to brace box that the lca mounts to to keep it from ripping out the thin *** metal.

 

Thanks Madman. I haven't really put any thought to it yet. I just seen that the LCA fits into the area just inside of the OEM area. I know what you mean about thin *** frame metal.

 

I narrowed 3 inches per side and have a 15x10 with 5 inches of BS, I have a 325/50 drag radial, which is the equivelant to a 28x11.25, its pretty big.....looks pretty good I think.







I put my LCA's as far inward as possible, I have minimum clearance, the wheel itself is VERY close to my LCA mounting bolt. I used 1/8" plate to re-inforce my LCA mount point on the body.


David

 

Sorry for the huge pics.

OEM LCA mounting point



the other



Passinger side. No welding yet.



Drivers side. I cut too much here. A little sheet metal work required.



Drivers side. No welding yet.

 

Looking good Tom. Thats the Wolfe Tub kit right?

 

Thanks Carlos. Yes it is the Wolfe mini tub kit. I've got tons of work left to do on this project.

 

It ends up being more than it seems in the beginning, doesn't it? I am interested to see how you tackle the rear drivers side tub.


Tom you know you can get an inch on LCA clearance if you stack the spacers to the outside.


On your idea on relocating the LCA's inward, do you plan on drilling a hole in the framerail for access? I am intersted to see how that pans out if you decide to do it.

BTW I have never seen an offset LCA for our cars, they make them for Vettes and other cars, why not ours?? Just curiuos.


David


David

 

It sure does. But it will be worth it in the end. It's alot of work. I can see why the shops charge $$$$ what they charge for this modification.

Some sheet metal work and carpet should do it

I have the Wolfe offset LCA's and it seems I'll gain 1/2" of clearance.

I also have a set of BMR LCA's shown in the pic. I tried to move the bushing on the BMR LCA's but they don't budge. I don't have the proper equipment either. I used a vise Didn't work. I guess I could have 1 side of the BMR's machined down to within 1/8" or so and add grade 8 washers on the other side.

Hey thats a great idea. Access from the inside of the frame rail so you can slide the bolt in. Ya thats the ticket reinforce the frame rail with some thicker steel on the inside of the frame rail.

Wolfe has them pictured on their web site. Madman sells them too I think.

On the rear end section of this modification I have a set of BMR LCA relocation brackets. These could be welded in on the modified side with some reinforcement. The rear end side would be easy.

Tom

 

The bushings/spacers for the LCAs to be offset are easy to get made, one off's might cost you a pretty penny but if you just need slight more clearance than the Wolfe's offer and would be easier than 'relocating' the mounting points.

I have the drawings for the 'regular' centered LCAs with Rod Ends, I can have the drawings re-done to have offsets. It just needs a small bushing on the inside of the LCA mount for the Rod End to pivot on.

How thick is the shoulder of the wolfe bushing/spacers?

 

Yes it would be alot easier but you wouldn't gain near the clearance. Here is a pic of the wolfe LCA with offset bushings in the OEM location and the BMR LCA's in the modified location.



I measured and the difference between the 2 LCA's and it is an additional 2" of clearance. Now all of this clearance would not be usable because the spring and mini tub clearance would now come into play. The best I can figure you would gain an additional 1" of usable clearance before the tire would hit the spring. Is it worth it for an additional 1" of tread and sidewall? Another thought, Would the tire now hit the OEM panhard bar bracket? I'm sure this could be modified too.

To go any further the spring perches, shocks, panhard bar would need relocated and more cutting. Might as well full tubb the car then. But it does look like an additional 1"



BTW, I don't have a micrometer. I can't measure the bushings.

 

Here is what mine looks like






David

 

Looks good David. I wish I would have seen that pic a month ago.

I'm going to weld my frame cups and wheels wells in place. then I'll reinstall the rearend, throw on some wheels and tires and start measuring. I'll make a decision on what I'll do at that time.

 

Tom were you planning on modding the pan hard bar mount? Wolfe shows it off. When I called today to order the kit I was told they were going to move it or mod it for more clearance.

 

Carlos, I did notice the missing pan hard bar mount on Wolfe's web site. I did not plan on removing it however it may need to be modified. I'm not sure how much it will come into play until I get the rear end back in with some wheels and tires and do some measuring. I think it MAY come into play depending on what size tire and wheel you plan on running and also how far you plan on tucking the tire in.

I just went out to the garage and layed a level on the area and drew a white line. The top of the line is where the mini tub cut is located. The bottom is of course where the pan hard bar bolts in. The colored in white area could be cut out and a plate welded in. This is my thought on modifying the PHB bracket. But I really don't think there would be a need to do this if the LCA stay's in the OEM location even with offset LCA's. I mean the wheel will hit the LCA first before it hits the PHB bracket. I think lol. This is a first time for me too



If you go any further than this then you might as well full tub the car.

We will be welding the frame plates and wheel wells in Friday night. Then I need to clean everything up, sheet metal work, paint, seam seal. Then I'll put the rear end back in with some wheels and tires and measure. I'll have a concrete answer then. You'll probably be finished before me. Keep us informed on your progress and I'll do the same.
Good luck

 

Thanks Tom will do.

 

nice job

 

i got an idea
mount the adjustable panhard bar in the upper hole in the braket(one used for the reinforcment bar) then just box everything for the strangth you will need

i think that would work nicey