mini tubbing a e-body

[1970MAN]

I am trying to decide the best route for mini tubbing my e-body, could any one give me some advice.  I am keeping the stock rear frame rails.  Right now I have my inner and outer wheel houses removed.  I was thinking of extending them in the middle with a thin strip of metal, but I had to buy aftermarket outers, and they don't semm to fit very well.  I wonder if it would be easier to just buy some tubbs, maybe this would look a little cleaner. Thanks

[360 'CUDA]

I don't think minitubs on a E-body are a good idea. The rear of the stock tubs are only about 3/4" from the rear longitudinals (frame) so you don't get much extra room.

The real gains are made by moving in the springs..

To answer your question though I would go with adding a strip of metal. That way you can re-weld the brackets close to the stock location.  Real tubs make a mess of that area and you lose lots of strength.

Introduce yourself in the newbie section  ....... don't forget pics 

[Chryco Psycho]

Full tubs are more of a racecar thing , they are challenging to fit & hard to seal to the outer fender

[nivvy]

When I first started on my challenger here on cc.com I was thinking the same thing...but however I took 360cuda's advice as you really dont gain anything due to the rear frame rails being tapered so minitubbing dont really have any affect...

B Body
3/4" relo kit
10" Rims with 5" inch backspace
Absolutely the best way to go!

I Trimmed the wheelwell lip just a little and can fit MT 28*13.5*15's in there! 28*12.5*15's fit with no trimming at all easily!

Plus it dont devalue the car and it looks great!

[ragtopdodge]

What size tire are you trying to fit?

If you get rid of the leafs and put in a coilover suspension, XV was able to get 18x12 w/335-30s!

the frame rails are splayed, and you won't gain much w/a minitub on an e-body.  Best to put money in the suspension moving the leafs or getting rid of them entirely.

[1970MAN]

Thanks for the input everyone.  I am wanting to run a 335 on a twenty, I am also going to use air rides kit in the rear, but I don't know if I need to narrow my housing.

[ntstlgl1970]

Do you have a Cuda or Challenger?

The challenger will take a bigger tire than the cuda. At my buddies shop they put 335s in a challenger (these were 18's though I think) with only modifying the outer wheelhouse to more closely follow the contour of the quarter panel.

[ragtopdodge]

Thanks for the input everyone.  I am wanting to run a 335 on a twenty, I am also going to use air rides kit in the rear, but I don't know if I need to narrow my housing.

The air ride kit depends on using a trailing link to prevent forward/back motions.  However, it's in the stock leaf spring location.  So you'll need a Dr. Diff relocation to move that inboard.  Trouble is, that's only 1".  So I'm not so sure you'll still end up having enough room for an 12" wide rim/335 tires.

[SilverChally]

I've seen people notch the frames when they minitubbed.  Thats the only way to go and not sure I'd want to do it.  I minitubbed my 70 runner, its alot of work, but they are pretty well suited for doing a minitub.  However my advice is either leave the tubs stock or do a full backhalf.

[aussie-e-body]

its late,2 am in fact.heres an idea for a stock look.unpick the frame rails and move them in,widen the inner wheelhouses,refabricate the torque boxes,shorten the upper shock crossmember and reinforce the bumper mounts.its not that difficult.someone must have done it