PRESSURERAT

Why is this? Does anyone find this as annoying as me? Anybody ever 'converted' one to bolt in style? :confused:

Paul Borowski

Yeah, I've thought about it too. Thought it'd be cheaper for GM just to make ONE style of frame for any given year, instead of two. '80 & '81s were this way. They had the removable crossmember whether the car was an automatic OR 4spd.

MikeC

Its a maintenance issue.

The manual tranny can be removed with out removing the crossmember. The automatic requires the removable crossmember or engine removal for transmission removal.

I am also thinking frame torsional rigidity would be significantly increased with a welded in crossmember.

I don't remember anyone doing a retrofit..... but a custom job would be much easier that retrofitting a stock auto crossmember.

Fevre

do a search on member fauxrs, he and a few others have moded their crossmembers to make them removable and he has posted some nice pics of it.

zwede

See my webpage for info on making the crossmember removable. I had to do it to fit my 5-speed.

fauxrs

Oh the joy to be remembered.... :D

Indeed When in installed a TKO 5 speed I changed my crossmember to be bolted in.



This is the modded x-member installed with four (4) 1/2" diameter machine bolts - way overkill on bolt size but certainly it helps to regain any rigidity lost - I havent noticed any increased flex in the car.



This is the x-member out of the car - the plates are 10 ga. steel bent in a horseshoe shape to fully capture the stubs of the frame - my concept was that this would protect the cut ends from capturing water while driving.

[Modified by fauxrs, 7:43 AM 10/21/2003]


[Modified by fauxrs, 5:13 PM 10/21/2003]


[Modified by fauxrs, 5:14 PM 10/21/2003]

PRESSURERAT

Thanks for all the replies!! You TKO guys, did you buy a 'kit' or did you piece them together?

Chuck Harmon

I cut out mine after adamantly stating I never would. I used a sawsall with 18 point blade at very slow speed. It cut through like butter.

I welded up 2 pieces of angle iron on each side. I measured for and drilled 2 small holes in the ends. I then put the newly welded crossmember in its intended place and drilled into the box frame with the same small diameter drill. Once removed, it was now easy to drill all the holes with a 1/2" drill making for perfect alignment.

I cut a length of black pipe to fit tightly between the two holes inside of the box frame. I then tack welded them. This allows me to really torque down on the 1/2" bolts I will use without crushing the box frame.

Chuck

markdtn

I spoke to a factory engineer once and he said it was for strength. It also made it harder to steal the transmission.

SmokedTires

Annoying, heck yeah :smash: I saw it an opportunity to cut mine out when I installed my TKO. At that point with sawzall in hand, I knew there would never be anything I'd be afraid to try with my car :p:






[Modified by SmokedTires, 4:03 PM 10/21/2003]

fauxrs

Mine was pieced together - there is a kit from Kiesler, which has recieved good reviews from those that have installed it. The kit is a good deal more expensive than piecing it together, but it offers certain advantages.

This site outlines my install http://earchitect.50megs.com/corvette/gearedup.htm

Fevre

I'd like to meet a transmission theif, gotta be a tough line of work. :lol: