remove shock towers in my perfect 68 fastback or no?

DarkoStoj

DarkoStoj

Founding Member
Sep 4, 2002
929
13
39
Detroit
#1
I have a perfect 68 J code fastback that has factory a/c. The body on this thing is just immaculate.

I want to restomod the thing, and really want to remove the shock towers and go to a different suspension, but I don't know if I'm going to be able to bring myself to do it since the car is just so perfect. The main reason for removing the shocktowers is that I want to clean up the engine bay, and have more room for installing the turbo plumbing since I want to keep the a/c and p/s. Also going to something like a MII setup would save a lot of money over buying the TCP coilvoer and r&p steering. The thing already has a tremec and a built 306 with a 9" waiting to go in. I was hoping to make power in the 600-800rwhp (with a aftermarket block). Would there be any problem with twisting up the body using that much power? Also will going with a mII suspension on the front make the chassi less rigid since the shocktowers will be removed?

edit: Just realized I'm a founding member now!!!
 
#2
If it was stock I wouldn't cut it up but since you already replaced the drivetrain, why not? I plan to put in a mII when I have the time and money. You can make a setup like that just as rigid as the original with the correct reinforcement. If you dont already have subframe connectors, get them, they will help you to keep from twisting your car with that kind of hp. Honestly, it is your car so you should do what will make you happy but it sounds kind of like you are trying to talk yourself out of the mII in favor of a more stock approach. This is really a decision you should make for yourself because on this forum as with many others, there are many advocates for the stock style suspension as well as the MII suspension. You will end up with many opposing viewpoints and just end up where you started.
 
#3
I was debating on purchasing one of those chassi strengthening kits through some of the magazines (or atleast getting the plans and cutting up the steel at work myself) and installing one of them.

I am really concerned with the strength of the car with that much power running through it. I will definately have the best subframe connectors that I can find... thinking the tcp connectors & the cage that ties them both together.

I never thought it would be difficult to cut up a car, but it is so damn hard!!

How does the MII suspension perform? Is there anything that is better?
 
#4
yea, i am going to do a custom tubular subframe conector system. I am going to tie all four rails together with it hopefully getting as much strength as possible with 2 inch pipe. It is hard to cut on a car, I still dread it but it tends to be worth it. You may want to do some research as to what kind of reinforcement to do for the front end. I havent experienced the mII but you may want to contact heidts, they sell some really cool suspension systems and im sure they would help you get the correct setup for your needs.
 
#5
on a J code fastback i'd say don't do it, reagrdless if the car is modified or not since at this point you haven't done anything that is irreversable. if it was a j-code or lesser coupe i'd say go for it but in this case i think you'd regret down the road. i've never been a big fan of MII conversions anyway because you do lose quite a bit of torsional rigidity besides the obvious disadvantage of cutting up the car.

there are guys with twin turbo small blocks in 65-66 cars that still have ps and ac and you have more room than they do. granted it looks a lot like spaghetti but that makes it even cooler IMO. if you can fab a twin turbo setup and keep the shock towers that's impressive fab work in anyone's book.

my vote is to keep the towers.
 
#6
whatever you decide to do, you really need a full cage in there. you could get away with a 6pt cage and still retain most of your interior space, but a properly built cage will add an immense amount of rigidity.

as for the front end, take a look at the front of a 2nd gen camaro. do something similar to that using coilover. i'm not a fan of the MII setups at all...
 
#8
bnickel said:
there are guys with twin turbo small blocks in 65-66 cars that still have ps and ac and you have more room than they do. granted it looks a lot like spaghetti but that makes it even cooler IMO. if you can fab a twin turbo setup and keep the shock towers that's impressive fab work in anyone's book.

my vote is to keep the towers.
Click to expand...

I havent, pics?
 
#9
I couldn't bring myself to do it and sounds like you're having a hard time deciding. It's a car that you can't find everyday especially one in good shape. That's just my opinion and bottom line is that you spent the money for it and you should do what you want.
 
#10
If the car is as nice as described, I couldnt bring myself to do it either. however, on mine, it was a no brainer (except for cost). I cut them scumbums out and it looks great. I second the idea of a cage with that kind of HP. However, what are your goals? There is a big difference between 600 and 800 rwhp. I had a 90 gt that made 624.7rwhp...it wasnt even fun to drive.
 
#11
ok. I'm going to throw this out there...and probably get flamed for it.

Why not save the perfect condition J-code...leave it in good shape, and find another roller to chop up and resto-mod? If the J code car is in amazing shape, its value probably is higher being near stock/not chopped up?
If you are getting a new built motor, and a built rear, I would find a roller that you like, and go to town on it. That way you save the regret of chopping up a perfect car, AND get a drag/street rod.
With those HP goals, you will need a cage, and subframe connectors (through the floor subframes?!?) If not you will twist up that chasis over time or with one hard launch.
 
#15
krash kendall said:
Sell it, put the money into a roller since you are replacing virtually everything anyway.
Click to expand...
it will never be for sale because I will never find a car as nice as this one ever again. I like the fact that there wasnt a dime spot of rust on the whole car. Plus I'm already too attached to it
 
#16
DarkoStoj said:
well to be honest I could really care less about the value of it because the car will never be for sale
Click to expand...


i used to say that about my car too. then life happened and i became unable to work. once my car is finished i'll be putting it up for sale so we can buy a house. trust me i was gonna be buried in this car, won't be happening now though.
 
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