Hey there,

So I have a quick question....

I just bought an 85' RS with T-Tops. Currently has a 400 small block but I'm looking to beef it up a bit. A buddy of mine just finished building a 383 stroker motor which has approximately 390 HP and 450 ft.lbs. tq. which he's offered to sell to me for a really good price.

However, when I told him it'd be going into this RS, he said it wasn't a good idea. He said the motor produced too much torque and would bend the frame since the car had T-Tops. Due to it's single beam design, it would surely bend over a short time, even if the car has sub-frame connectors.

Does this seem true? The guy is VERY knowledgeable with Camaros, but i've personally never heard of this issue with the T tops with only 450 ft/lbs torque. Should I go ahead with the 383 stroker or stick with the 400?

Let me know what y'all think....Thanks!

 

Well, first off, there really is not a big structual difference between a hard top car and a T top car, its very little, if any. However, once you start putting out some power, it will twist, causing the T tops to leak (if they dont already.) Subframe connectors will REALLY stiffen it up, and you should have no problems.

 

there is litereally almost NO difference between a hardtop and t-top car (pull the headliner off a hardtop car, and the t-top bar is right there in the middle). subframe connecters will help quite a lot, and if that's not enough you can always add a roll cage.

 

I've welded two sets of subframe connectors into 3rd gen Camaros one hard top and one T-Top. The firmness of the body is noticably increased and the body flex should not be an issue. Do this, you will be amazed. I'd be more worried about breaking a yoke,axle,pinion, or ring gear in your stock rear end than the car twisting with400hp.

Go for the engine and treat you differential to a new cover with bearing cap supports, this will help it "live" for a while behind the new power until you beef it up.

Good Luck!

Roy