TorqLink™ 1978-88 GM G-Body Frame Stiffening Kit

•  Made from 1.75-inch 1020 DOM steel with 0.095-inch wall thickness
• Laser cut and mandrel bent to follow frame contours for maximum clearance
• Increases factory frame rigidity, reducing flexing during acceleration and cornering
• Kit includes left and right stiffening tubes, rear crossmember, and control arm braces
• Stiffening tubes, rear crossmember, and lower control arm braces require welding
• Includes bolt-in transmission crossmember with 11 inches of fore/aft adjustment
• Transmission crossmember uses standard GM 1.50-inch center-to-center mounts
• Fits popular 78-88 G-Body models from GM, Pontiac, Buick, and Oldsmobile
• Kit weighs only 36.7 pounds, adding weight low in the frame for a better center of gravity
• All components ship bare steel for welding and can be painted or powder coated
• Mounting hardware for transmission crossmember included

Increase Your 78-88 G-Body Frame’s Stiffness for Better Handling and Traction

The GM G platform has had a long, successful life with General Motors. Beginning in 1969 as an adaptation of the venerable GM A-Body at the time, it was used for the 70-72 Monte Carlo. While technically the second round of G-Body vehicles started in 1978 with an A-body designation, GM would change that to G-Body in 1982 with the release of the new FWD A-Body chassis. These 1978-1988 G-Bodies were some of the last front engine/rear drive layout vehicles to come from GM that followed the old muscle car formula from the 1960s and proved to be extremely popular with such models as the Monte Carlo SS, Buick Grand National, Pontiac Grand Prix, and Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds models.

As fun as these cars are, an issue GM G-Body vehicles often suffer from is too much flex in the frame (the G-Body is a body on frame construction), causing all manner of issues like flexing in hard cornering that provides inconsistent suspension response. This is due to the G-Body chassis using a perimeter frame design. While the G-Body chassis is a full frame vehicle, providing more strength and better handling than a unibody car, the perimeter frame does have its drawbacks. Since there is no X-frame or inner structure of any kind, the long perimeter frame is more prone to torsional flexing. This means the frame’s twisting under acceleration, braking, and turning makes all these movements less precise. You’re leaving braking distance, acceleration torque, and handling on the table with your G-Body’s stock perimeter frame.

Strengthen and Reinforce Your G-Body’s Perimeter Frame with A Weld in Stiffening Kit

Constructed from 1.75-inch 1020 DOM steel tubing with a 0.095-inch wall thickness for maximum strength, our TorqLink™ frame stiffening kit is an easy to install G-Body frame brace system that ties the front and rear halves of the perimeter frame together. This G-Body frame brace system includes weld-in left and right stiffening tubes, a rear weld-in crossmember with rear lower control arm braces, and a bolt-in transmission crossmember. The bolt-in transmission crossmember is made up of a 7-gauge steel center section and 1/4-inch plate steel mounting end caps. Altogether, this creates six points of contact with the perimeter frame with front and rear crossmembers helping to tie everything together. Installation requires only removal of exhaust, driveshaft, and factory transmission crossmember for room to work and weld the frame stiffening kit into place.

Installation can be accomplished on the ground with jack stands, or a lift and does not require separation of the body from the frame. If you’re planning to have the frame painted or powder coated body removal will make access easier, but it is not necessary for installation of the TorqLink™ G-Body frame stiffening kit. Cleaning/grinding of the perimeter frame areas where the stiffening kit will connect must be accomplished for proper welding procedures to allow installation. All pieces of the frame stiffening kit are pre-cut/notched, allowing quick mock up and fitment for welding with just simple checks for straightness and square to the chassis before firing up your MIG welder. At just 36.7 pounds the stiffening kit provides additional weight low in the vehicle, further enhancing the center of gravity to improve handling and stability.

Supports Popular GM Automatic and Manual Transmissions

The bolt-in transmission crossmember utilizes the GM standard 1.50-inch center-to-center distance of GM’s two-bolt transmission mount. So, whether you’re using a stock or aftermarket mount with studs or threaded bolt holes you’re good to go. The left and right frame stiffening tubes include a pre-welded 14-inch-long transmission crossmember mounting tab that features 3/8-inch mounting holes that work in conjunction with the transmission crossmember’s 3/8-inch mounting slots for a total of 11 inches of fore/aft adjustment. The bolt-in crossmember is secured by the included 3/8-inch mounting hardware. This provides ample adjustment to mount any GM transmission, from classic three-speed auto to modern electronic overdrives and of course 5- and 6-speed manuals, in your G-Body. So, whether you’re retaining your current transmission or planning a transmission upgrade soon, this will be the last transmission crossmember you’ll ever need.

Our TorqLink™ 78-88 G-Body frame reinforcement kit is compatible with all GM G-Body models, including Chevy Malibu, Monte Carlo, and El Camino; Pontiac LeMans and Grand Prix; Oldsmobile Cutlass, Cutlass Supreme, and 442; and Buick Regal, Grand National, and T-Type models and their various trim levels. Improve your 78-88 GM G-Body vehicle’s handling, braking, and acceleration with our easy weld-in frame stiffening solution and see just how much more capable your G-Body becomes.