C4 Chassis Stiffeners from Killebrew

[Bob Eyres]

Here's an article mentioning Gordon's chassis stiffener kit:

:http://www.amosauto.com/Articles/General/Tech/do-the-tighten-up-1

Has anyone tried this on a ZR-1? Effective? Results?
Sorry, if this has already been discussed elsewhere.

[VetteMed]

Forum member -=Jeff=- is running them, I believe. He seems to be happy with them.

I installed a convertible x-brace and am very happy with the improvement in overall feel of the chassis, and reduction in shakes and rattles. I am curious to compare the difference but not willing to drop $500 to do so.

[Bob Eyres]

I wonder how it would do with both? Or are the attachments in the same place?

Now let's see, if you used these braces, plus a convertible brace, plus one of those stiffeners for the Targa bar to windshield frame, plus a four point roll cage, that sucka would be damn rigid.

But you'd probably have added an extra 100 lbs. of unwanted weight.:D

[VetteMed]

The front attachments share the same pre-threaded holes. I think it might be possible to "stack" the two devices, but I can't be sure.

The rear attachments are in different locations, I think. The x-brace goes to the recess just inboard of the jacking points in the rear. The above braces I think attach to the dogbone mount bracket.

[XfireZ51]

What do people w headers do? I know =Jeff= has 2" headers and Gordon's bracing run along the rocker panel. They're designed to tie front and back of the chassis.

[VetteMed]

I have Jeal headers, I have about 1/8" clearance between the driver's side ball joint clamp and the x-brace.

[batchman]

I installed a convertible x-brace and am very happy with the improvement in overall feel of the chassis

Very interested to hear your positive result. The rules I race under would allow this addition, as I can use any part on any C4. Any chance you have pics, especially near the headers?

Best,
- Jeff

[VetteMed]

Very interested to hear your positive result. The rules I race under would allow this addition, as I can use any part on any C4. Any chance you have pics, especially near the headers?

Best,
- Jeff

Hey Jeff, I don't have any pictures -- but I may have some time in the next few days to jack the car up to take a few pics for you.

-Andrew

[batchman]

Hey Jeff, I don't have any pictures -- but I may have some time in the next few days to jack the car up to take a few pics for you.

-Andrew

Next time you're under it that would be awesome. I'll be looking forward!
- Jeff

[-=Jeff=-]

I have them... I think they work as Advertised. I actually noticed an improvement when I left the place I had them installed at.

my car also would creak/twist pulling n my driveway, it no longer does it.

The braces were installed in 2010 and I have been happy with them since. I have adjusted them twice mainly because they were the 1st prototypes that were manufactured by vette2vette.. there have been improvements on the bars as far as getting a wrench on to tighten them ( something mine don't have)

Overall I would buy them again for any C4..

[VetteMed]

Pics of x-brace installed on '91 Z, with Jeal headers. Hard to get good pics, since I don't have a lift, but let me know if something different is needed.

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv163/agchoset/1991%20ZR-1/IMG_0441.jpg

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv163/agchoset/1991%20ZR-1/IMG_0440.jpg

Rear shot of RH rear mounting location, to show relationship to trailing arm mount area

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv163/agchoset/1991%20ZR-1/IMG_0442.jpg

Exhaust clearance pics in next post.

[VetteMed]

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv163/agchoset/1991%20ZR-1/IMG_0444-1.jpg

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv163/agchoset/1991%20ZR-1/IMG_0445-1.jpg

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv163/agchoset/1991%20ZR-1/IMG_0446.jpg

[scottfab]

Pics of x-brace installed on '91 Z, with Jeal headers. Hard to get good pics, since I don't have a lift, but let me know if something different is needed.



http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv163/agchoset/1991%20ZR-1/IMG_0440.jpg

Rear shot of RH rear mounting location, to show relationship to trailing arm mount area




What a great set of pics!

What is that just above the tennis shoes on the X brace?

It looks like a crimp in the X brace right near that bolt head.

[GOLDCYLON]

What a great set of pics!

What is that just above the tennis shoes on the X brace?

It looks like a crimp in the X brace right near that bolt head.

Where they welded the fastener for the bolts to go through?

[-=Jeff=-]

Here are some not so awesome shots of the Killebrew Brace

https://picasaweb.google.com/101338012938494992078/C4FrameBrace

can you see it in this pic?
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZgLlYWWn2Us/Td0sXbnO1mI/AAAAAAAABrw/yY6Gswyo3D4/s644/2011-05-21_12-53-14_749-1.jpg

[VetteMed]

Scott, not sure where you're referring to exactly. Right above the shoes is the RF mounting location, and I don't see a bolt there in that pic?

[scottfab]

Scott, not sure where you're referring to exactly. Right above the shoes is the RF mounting location, and I don't see a bolt there in that pic?


look above the tennis shoes until you see the exhaust pipe.

Now find the rusty part on the exhaust pipe.

Now just left of the top part of the rust spot....see the bolt head?

Now right there just above the bolt head see the crumpled section on the X member? Did that happen installing or under load?

[scottfab]

[QUOTE=-=Jeff=-;141844]Here are some not so awesome shots of the Killebrew Brace

https://picasaweb.google.com/101338012938494992078/C4FrameBrace

/QUOTE]


Those are great too. Show more of where the mounts go than the other link to the Killebrew hardware.

[VetteMed]

Scott, that "bolt head" is the drain plug for the ZF6.

The section of x-brace in that area has an area contoured to accommodate the exhaust piping, and that wrinkled area looks to me to be done intentionally in the process of stamping of the part.

[scottfab]

Scott, that "bolt head" is the drain plug for the ZF6.

The section of x-brace in that area has an area contoured to accommodate the exhaust piping, and that wrinkled area looks to me to be done intentionally in the process of stamping of the part.

You're right.
I downloaded and zoomed in and can see the cooling fins on the ZF6 now and the threads on the side of the plug. After zooming the "wrinkled" area looks to be a crumbled area from stress. Anyone else see that? There is a curve cut on the other side of the piece but several inches away.

I'm sure it all functions very well as is. I just wonder if this area takes all the movement over and over.

This is the first X brace I've seen. Again, thanks for posting.

[RICKYRJ1]

I have a brand new GM X-brace that I need to install sometime soon :saluting:

[scottfab]

I have a brand new GM X-brace that I need to install sometime soon :saluting:
And I just know you'll take pictures and post'm right? =D>

[captcorvette]

What I would like to know is where did you come up with a new GM cross brace? Costly?

[RICKYRJ1]

What I would like to know is where did you come up with a new GM cross brace? Costly?
I picked it up last year from a member on the *************, I think I paid $150.00 shipped:saluting:

[batchman]

This is the first X brace I've seen. Again, thanks for posting.

+1 with gusto! Looks like something else I need to chase!

(the Killibrew setup would not be class legal for me - at least without an argument, and I would not likely win an argument at a national event)

Best,
- Jeff

[Bob Eyres]

To those of you with the stock brace, it looks like it would be prone to rattling with a 3" exhaust. Is it?
The stock brace does look subject to crimping. Would it be worthwhile to box it, or build one from rectangular tubing?
Maybe boxing it would not be effective, if the brace is designed to cross tie the frame rails together rather than provide torsional rigidity.

[scottfab]

To those of you with the stock brace, it looks like it would be prone to rattling with a 3" exhaust. Is it?
The stock brace does look subject to crimping. Would it be worthwhile to box it, or build one from rectangular tubing?
Maybe boxing it would not be effective, if the brace is designed to cross tie the frame rails together rather than provide torsional rigidity.

I think two side by side 3/4 or 1in rectangle tubes that are tacked together would give better protection against crumpling. Maybe aluminum to lower the weight penalty. That and using the gimbal like Heim joints at all eight ends. This would be four way support...... that looks like this from below |X|

[VetteMed]

I know that there's someone on the other forum that boxed the x brace, But I don't know that they had before/after opinions about it.
There is some contact between the brace and the y-pipe , you can see the area of rubbing in one picture above. I would like to avoid it but I haven't really noticed any vibration while driving, so it is low on my priority list.

btw, hit 198k miles today!

[scottfab]

btw, hit 198k miles today!

Whooo hoooo. This needs a "poll".
Who has the highest and lowest mileage?

[secondchance]

I have a brand new GM X-brace that I need to install sometime soon :saluting:

Ricky,

Have the bottom stitch welded before install. Back in 93 I had it installed stock and was not completely stisfied. Took it to Corvette Masters in Maitland, Fl, had Robbie weld plates and close it off - a world of difference.

[VetteMed]

Ricky,

Have the bottom stitch welded before install. Back in 93 I had it installed stock and was not completely stisfied. Took it to Corvette Masters in Maitland, Fl, had Robbie weld plates and close it off - a world of difference.

Great info, Yun. Was the brace dismounted then welded, then reinstalled?

[secondchance]

Great info, Yun. Was the brace dismounted then welded, then reinstalled?

Yes. If I remember correct, at least for the 91 I had at the time, front had holes needed. For the rear, a bolt had to be welded to a plate then the plate welded to the frame.
Dismounted, bottom pieces welded continuous over the "X", effectively making the whole thing one piece, then bolted to the car.

[RICKYRJ1]

Ricky,

Have the bottom stitch welded before install. Back in 93 I had it installed stock and was not completely stisfied. Took it to Corvette Masters in Maitland, Fl, had Robbie weld plates and close it off - a world of difference.

Thanks, I will pass the info onto George B. our WAZOO master metal man.