Packard Forum Index » Modification Discussion

Engine swaps are one thing. Chopping up the main supporting structure of a vehicle is something completely different.

About the only critical part of an engine swap is to keep the engine/trans crank and output shaft of the trans in the same alignment with the original. EZ enuf to measure with just a tape measure.

MAJOR FRAME modifications is completely different. I've never done a stub-frame conversion but seen plenty of them.

There is too much eng'ring geometry, some of which may be very subtle, in OEM chassis's. Too much for me to risk cutting up any frames for.

My advice to anyone is to certainly go ahead with the SBC conversion. Don't chop up the frame tho.

Stubframes on cars that are mainly just show rods or cars that only need to run a 1/4 miles are one thing. Jacking the suspension and frame geometry around for a road car especialy high speed road car is a completely diffferent operating environment.

If u really want the modern chassis and drive train then just drop the body on a COMPLETE chassis from some modern vehicle rather than take a chance on cutting up alot of frames and trying to weld them together.

Again, an engine swap is one thing, basicaly no talent needed whatsoever. But cutting up frames and chassis is all together different.

Just drop the body on a modern vehicle chassis.

I believe there may be other alternatives for the suspension rebuilding issue without cutting up frames.

Im still puzzled by the point of this thread. If you want a Camaro why dont you just buy a Camaro. Why wreck a neat old car to make a cheap copy of a Camaro.

My 50 drives and rides great now that it has the radials on it. If i had to put a new motor in, i wouldn't care about the front suspension handling and brakes one bit. Stopping and steering has never been it's issue..getting moving can sometimes be a slow ordeal with the ultramatic :)