Detroit Speed mini tubs?

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BBC71Nova · #1 Post by **BBC71Nova** » Thu Dec 08, 2005 9:21 pm

Anybody used the Detroit Speed mini tubs on their Nova? They have them 10% off right now for Christmas. In theory it sounds good and even looks good. Not sure it is any easier than banding the stock wheelwells though?

John

jacobgiles · #2 Post by **jacobgiles** » Fri Dec 09, 2005 7:19 am

i have seen the DSE camaro at superchevy and the tubs look really nice, i like just about everything they sell, its all nice stuff, but i have done a few minitubs by splitting the factory wheelwell and using a strip of metal as a filler and i think that would be alot easier. and alot cheaper too. you could easily bodywork the area where you widened the tub and come out with a great looking job. and save a few hundred bucks too.

BBC71Nova · #3 Post by **BBC71Nova** » Sun Jan 22, 2006 10:33 pm

Well, I broke down and ordered the DSE minitubs last week. For some reason I just felt a little more comfortable doing it myself using those full tubs instead of just banding them. I started on it this weekend. I was test fitting the 1" lower split monos and the slider mount saturday to see if they would not be too low. Looked good so today I proceeded with the cutting. Man, these tubs are a lot of work. Today I worked maybe 6hrs and have the driver's side tub cutout, frame notched, and basically ready to start filling all the gaps with steel. As long as I don't screw it up I think it is going to look good when it is done. I should be able to get alittle wider tire if nothing else 8) . These tubs are supposed to yield about another 2.5"s. I'm gonna try to work on the other side some this week while I figure out how to cut all these profiles out of 1/8" plate. I'm thinking a bandsaw would work out nice but that's gonna cut into the project funds

. I'll try to get some pics. At this rate maybe I'll be done in a few weeks

.

John

marks1972 · #4 Post by **marks1972** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 9:15 am

Instead of narrowing the factory frame rails, I used the Competition Engineering formed rear frame rails with their frame connectors with new spring pockets, they automatically move the leaf springs in and are alot stronger than the stock rails they are made out of 2x3x.083. They worked great.

1badnova · #5 Post by **1badnova** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 10:48 am

here is some pictures of my mini tub project. except i am doing full 1/4s and outter wheel houses, it wasnt a bad job for me to do, ive got about a month in this so far. i choose not to cut the frame like they say to do. it looked like it would weaken it, so i just notched the wheel tub itself and let it lap over the frame. (so what i lost a 1/4 inch) i thought that was stupid to cut the frame and bend a j shaped peice of metal and leave a 1/2 inch of frame, it didnt make since to me. but other than that they are sweet. i bought the whole kit, but come to realize that lower leaf spring pads and u bolts come with the slide a links and wouldnt be using the ones in the kit. and then the upper shock crossmember was another dumb idea. i quess unless your gonna lower the rear 3 inches but jegs sells a nice upper shock crossmember that goes between the frame rails and couldnt see cutting a 6 inch strip out of the trunk from wheel well to wheel well. WHY? so i sent all that stuff back. my advice if your mini tubbing with a slida a link etc is just buy the wheel tubs, leaf springs, offset hangers (pricey but real nice), leaf spring to axle mount (also very nice) and then buy a shock crossmember from jegs or make one your self.

1badnova · #6 Post by **1badnova** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 9:36 pm

some more recent pics

#7 Post by **John_Heard** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 8:32 am

Good pic's, looks like a real nice job. Thanks for sharing...

1badnova · #8 Post by **1badnova** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 8:07 am

thanks...but ive ran into a little problem. i wanted to run a 9 inch reaend in my car so i had it cut down to fit my car, well now my detroit speed leaf spring pads do not fit my housing..here is a link to the pads i have.. http://www.detroitspeed.com/AdjustableL ... ads10.html
i must have axle tubes bigger than 3 inches, i have searched and searched for axle pads for 3.5 inch tubes and cant find them? here is a pic so you understand

1badnova · #9 Post by **1badnova** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 8:11 am

here is some more recent pics

David Lemmond · #10 Post by **David Lemmond** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 9:08 pm

As far as I know pads for a 3.5 axle tube are not avalable. You have 3.25" tubes and you'll need to grind the pads you have to fit. Also don't forget to put a healthy gusset from the back side of the pad to the axle tube. If you don't it will bend the pad.
Your work looks great.

David

1badnova · #11 Post by **1badnova** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 5:10 am

so your saying ive got 3.25 axles? if so i can buy those, i am not sure of exact size because i didnt measure them, i was just quessing, it looked like it would take a 1/2 inch to make them sit in the pad. thanks for your help

David Lemmond · #12 Post by **David Lemmond** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 7:44 am

Yes the 9" are available with 3" in the older housings and 3.25" in the newer ones and the newer one is what you have.

David

1badnova · #13 Post by **1badnova** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:49 am

thanks for your help

BBC71Nova · #14 Post by **BBC71Nova** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:52 am

I think I saw where Afco sells some spring pads for 3.25" housings. I think Summit lists them. I was looking at the same thing since I was trying to decide on whether to go 3.25" or 3" myself.

John

1badnova · #15 Post by **1badnova** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 5:40 pm

i ordered from ford today...6.00 ea yes thats right 6.00...and here i was paying 53 a set for detroit speeds..but the are a little different...but if im boxing them in the factory one would be the way to go.

Detroit Speed mini tubs?

Detroit Speed mini tubs?

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