Camaro sub frame in 47-54

Alright I'm sure this has been asked a thousand times but i cant find a thread for it. i currently have a 79 camaro sub frame welded to my frame but i remember reading something about these being to wide for the 47-53, and they require some sort of narrow control arms. Any one else running a similar sub frame if so were any mods made to keep the wheels inside the fenders?

[weldvair@embarqmail.]

Have done that 3 times. You will be fine, just run wheels a little more back spacing.
Don Meyer

[Daniel U]

My buddy did a '54 GMC with one and the only thing he said was it limited him on the wheels he chose to finish the project. The wheel offset is very important when you use this front clip. The TF trucks sit wider.

Hey guys thanks for the info, i appreciate it. When we installed the sub-frame i was told it was a common swap, then i start reading crap on the internet and second quessing the swap. Thanks again Ty

[55dude]

keep reading they are too wide! every one i have looked at should have been narrowed about 6". get your tape measure out and start checking track width.

[53lochevy]

U probably get wheel rub and the radius of the turnin not as sharp in the innner fender skirts, along with it setting alot higher on ride height. Have a x father in law is going to another stock frame with mustang II in it. He did the swap and was not happy with it at all because of tire rubbing when turning and the ride height was too high. Will ask him the pros and cons since he has had both chasis. IF your gonna put some hp power in the truck I suggest u box the frame completly and put in a crossmember for the torque. Im going with a 400 hp motor at least in mine and Im the kinda guy who likes to step in and plant it to the ground every now and then, have u ever seen a frame thats been twisted because of the hp being put in it, its worth the time and not to mention the frame is 5 times as strong as it was without it and the stock crossmembers. Both ways is alot of work but there is nothing wrong with the stock frame and the new mustang II kits but the price. My advice I took over a year researching and reading blogs pros and cons of our trucks and made my decision based on what worked and what didnt and what kinda problems arose now I have a clear vision of just how Im gonna build my ride. Either way u go its your choice based on what u want in your truck and the proformance u want out of it.

[53lochevy]

Here's something for ya go out and step on your side running boards mounts 3 of them on both side, watch the frame twist with ease as u put ur weight on it pretty bad huh.. now just imagine putting some torque to the frame get my meaning the frames are quite weak in strength really. But if you box ur frame and then do the same test no movement at all. when someone steps on your running boards your gonna get that flex in the frame not to mention the running boards flexing also. Just an fyi to think about

[weldvair@embarqmail.]

55 Dude....Think about what you said. Have you done the camaro conversion...I do not think so. The swap works fine w/the proper wheel BS. I do not know what trk you saw, but it must of had small offset wheels. When several people point this out to you why would you make such a post which might discourage people from making a good selection.
Don Meyer Mech Engr-PhD

[53lochevy]

dude if you can read the whole reply didnt say it wouldnt work just emplied the promblems that might arise thats all. Also the difference between the two is one is rack in-pinion and the other is a gearbox driven steering big difference wouldnt u agree.

[55dude]

check out my webshots this 50' chevy truck and car are my cousins,i maintain them and when you park the truck next to another one with a 70'-81 camaro/TA clip in it you can see the difference and after talking to other truck owners at shows they will tell you they are to wide. the rearends are great fit. they work fine on a TF trucks. i'm not trying to discourage anyone from doing anything. a mid 80's gm clip (malibu/cuttless..) work fine. i have 4 70'-81' camaro/75'-79 nova clips in storage and would not install one in a AD truck unless it was narrowed.

[weldvair@embarqmail.]

I do not wish to argue w/you,I am not a Dude. I have done this clip 3 times & havr used Wheel Vintiques wheels w/1" more BS & the IES workd well
Don Meyer-Mech Enrg

[nogaroa4]

Hey Guys,

Just a general question about the swap, I'm looking at doing it on a 55. I hear horror stories about people mounting them wrong and having problems with alignment.

If you level your truck frame.

-Then brace the frame so it does not twist or flex.

-Cut the truck frame off at the proper length.

-Make sure it is still level.

-Then cut the camaro frame at the proper length and

-WHILE installing/welding the camaro frame make sure that the upper spring mounts are at the correct angle,

wouldn't that justify the proper install.

I mean isn't it that easy?

[Tom Meyer]

I do know my track widths involved with this graph. The AD trucks track width is 59 1/2". The camaro sub is 59.8-59.6 for gen 1 61.3-60.5 for gen 2. As you can see, you can make up the 1/2" to 2" with less back space. The worse case is 2" to make up (1" less backspace per wheel X 2 wheels). There is not agruement with this simple math. Don Meyer is absolutely correct.

Further, I have seen several AD trucks with a camaro sub successfully graphed proving the point that this graph works on AD trucks.

Ths source of this info is at http://www.quickperformance.com/Tech...us_measure.htm. The only part that is not referenceed on this site is that track width of an AD being 59 1/2. This is from my knowledge.

http://www.hotrodlibrary.com/product...67ebfa40b6276d

Great book has a walk through for the swap, just measure alot and then measure again. when i go home i can post pics.

Just wanted to say thanks to every one for their input, i was told when we did the swap that it would be around 2"s wider, i was just looking for conformation from those who know more about the swap than me, thanks again guys.

[55dude]

Originally Posted by nogaroa4

Hey Guys,

Just a general question about the swap, I'm looking at doing it on a 55. I hear horror stories about people mounting them wrong and having problems with alignment.

If you level your truck frame.

-Then brace the frame so it does not twist or flex.

-Cut the truck frame off at the proper length.

-Make sure it is still level.

-Then cut the camaro frame at the proper length and

-WHILE installing/welding the camaro frame make sure that the upper spring mounts are at the correct angle,

wouldn't that justify the proper install.

I mean isn't it that easy?

sounds like your going to be sucessful with your swap. good luck!

[nogaroa4]

Thanks 55dude

I looked into the front suspension options for a while and a mustang II is just to expensive, not to mention that all of the ones that you see in the pictures have tubular A-Arms which add another 400 on top which they fail to mention. I picked up a good condition camaro clip for 50 dollars, I can rebuild the entire clip for around 350. So I figured for around 400 I will have a great front suspension.

[weldvair@embarqmail.]

Looks like a happy ending is in sight.

Don Meyer