It’s no secret that we’re fans of Chris Alston’s ChassisWorks products. The setup we used from them on our ‘66 Nova project car bolted up like a dream, and most people still think it must have kept us awake longs nights and weekend fabbing it all up by hand. ChassisWorks recently released a completely modular 3-piece chassis for the second generation F-Body Camaro/Firebird platform (1970-1981), and we’ll feature each section in this article.

It’s no secret whey they’ve chosen to go this route. The popularity of the Camaro has been the focus of the Pro Touring movement and the first and second gen cars have become the weapon of choice at most every Good Guys and Pro Touring event we’ve been to.

The Second Gen’s in particular have come on strong as of late, likely due to their fairly good weight distribution out of the box. Also, from a sheer numbers standpoint, second gen F-body cars are far more plentiful than the much desired 67-69 Camaro’s, especially when factoring in the “disco” era of the late ’70’s and early ’80’s Camaro’s.

Better yet, since the system is specific to F-bodies, not just Camaro’s, you can be rest assured that all of the components you see here will work just fine on your Smokey-and-the-Bandit Trans Am!

The modular frame is made up of three components, and when used in combination it creates a full bumper to bumper full frame assembly. It begins first up front with the g-Machine Subframe which is a full replacement for the factory sub-frame. Next is the g-Bar Rear Suspension which can be installed on a stock rear sub frame or ordered with optional full length frame rails.

Connecting the two sub-frames is the aptly named Subframe Connector System. They also offer four different tubular transmission cross-members for use with g-Machine front sub-frame, though they can also be used on OEM sub-frames if desired. For those of you that just want to know “How much tire will fit in there?”, we think you’ll be happy to know that the front can accommodate a 295 to 351 mm tire and massive 335 to 365mm tires will fit out back!

The front suspension options from ChassisWorks are so plentiful it can be a little overwhelming! Whatever your desired configuration may be, ChassisWorks has all of the components available.

g-Machine Front Subframe

The g-Machine front sub-frame is the heart of the Chassisworks system. It’s completely engineered and fabricated to be a direct fit for the factory sub-frame and offers a platform to begin the high performance suspension conversion! The Alston team took great care to insure that the design would take into account the many different performance suspension systems options that are popular today, so if you’re wanting air suspension, coil overs, or even something specific for drag racing you’ll have the option to do so. In addition, the control arm, shock absorber, spindle, brake, and steering setup are all configurable as the customer sees fit.

g-Bar Rear Suspension

A sample 4-bar setup from Chassisworks.

Chassisworks’ g-Bar and g-Link systems are a canted-4-bar suspension design, but just as they did with the front subframe the the g-Bar and g-Link setup was designed to be as configurable as possible.

That means that you’ll have the option to go with an air suspension system, coil overs, or any of the other popular options that you see at tracks and car shows. Even better, the system can be installed with factory 10- or 12-bolt rearend housings, or a Chassisworks’s FAB9™ Ford 9” conversion!

All bracketry for the system can be ordered as bolt-in or weld-supported brackets, and if you want to go the next step you can order the brackets connected to short 2×3” front rail and full-length 2×3” frame rails to dramatically increase rear-tire clearance. If anyone else offers that level of configuration, we haven’t heard of it.

Sub-frame Connector System

Last, but certainly not least, the sub-frame connector system is present to bridge the unsupported distance between the front sub-frame and the rear suspension, and honestly it’s a no brainer. Just as with their suspension systems, the Chassisworks team has given the customer a multitude of options to choose from. They offer several different mandrel-bent 2×2” sub-frame connectors that can be ordered with a drive-shaft loop (if desired) and can also be specified to bolt in or weld on to either a factory or Chassisworks’ front sub-frames.

Overall, the key to the new Chassisworks modular chassis is that it is configurable to become any setup you’d like it to be. Even if you can’t afford a full blown system today, know that that Chassisworks system can be ordered one section at a time as you have the the time and budget to allow for it!