To tub or not to tub.....

I own a 1970 Pontiac Tempest with a 350. Right now, a mean Buick 350 sits on the rails while the Poncho gets a mojor re-working. I have cut out the trunk and front floor pans for replacement. I think I want to tub the rear, but need ALOT of opinions on this. I have heard it makes the car alot worse on handling. I would be driving the car just about every day and would like to fit 14's under there. I think I can manage 10's without tubbing. IF I were to tub it, what would be the effects on the handling and suspension? Would it be better or worse for it in the long run? disregarding cost and time, only as far as drivablility is concerned, should I even try it?

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Tubing is a personal choice. Remember once you tub it's hard to replace what you've done.
Also tub is not real good on wet streets,(with wide tires) seen to many cars lose it on the highway.

Don't know where you live at but if there's snow you won't be driving it.

well i always hate to see a musclecar cut all to pieces, but if you do a discrete job of it and lengthen the original fenderwells to fit the taller tire i think you will be quite happy with it. a lowered tempest with 16x15 rear and frontrunners is an awesome prostreet car.

on the downside you will have to do a lot (really really a lot) of work to get a finnished look that doesnt retract from the re-sell value. and you ve ruined your chances of ever competing in a class you can dream of winning at the local drags (unless you are made of money or have a pro stock dragster you can steal an engine from)

I'd say it would depend on how much you drive it and if tubbing is nessasary or just for looks.

You say want to drive it everyday (pretty much). Its going to ride like a Model T !!! Not to mention the unexpected rainstorm you may run into. The fun factor would be sweet though
Then theres the thing about it being needed or not. There are quite a few small tire guys running in the 9's without exotic set-ups. Honestly, if your at the track & see a tubbed car run a bad E.T., you gotta think that guy would heve done better putting the effort/money in the engine.

I agree, that car would look awesome with some big meats under it though!
good luck-2x4

Thanks for all the replies. I am still debating, but I think I would like to get the engine to the specs I want. I am still looking at bucket seats to replace the front bench, so that might cost me alittle. ANyone on this list have any racing or even older GM buckets for sale? If so, just reply and I will e-mail you. I was looking at the seats and all the aluminum and steel ones seem overly expensive. I saw the Summit seats and afew other companies online that are cheaper. But most of those are made out of double-walled plastic. How sure can I be that these seats will hold up in an accident and actually keep me in the car, and in the seat?

Also, does anyone know where I can find some good vintage wheels? I like the Ralley II's that I am running now, stock, give the car a good look. I would like to find a newer set with alittle more backspacing so I can fit a much bigger tire in there, preferably without tubbing it.

Thanks again, guys
Bill <img src="graemlins/evil.gif" border="0" alt="[evil]" />

i'll have to beg off of the tubbing issue for lack of experience, though i would tend to agree with awsum, it's easier to do than undo, so work on the engine first.
i'd look on e-bay for the seats... you can find some pretty good deals on either used oem buckets, or aftermarket ones (i just got two recaros with some rips but solid frames and padding for $100 apiece, and $60 shipping.)
$.02
-z-

i bought a set of SCAT procar seats a few years back, they are a bit spendy at almost 600$ a pair but they are very nuce ti sit in and afford awesome side support. also if you use the car regularly i would say that rear seat access is pretty important and those plastic racing deals dont fold or budge once they are in there

Tub it? Or not? Pro/Street looks mean/hot/rad...but,will the car handle above 50 mph,the answer is NO,NO,NO... it's not the tubs or suspension(if done correctly,but the TIRES a 13/14/16 inch bias ply tire will make a car feel as though it's on black ice,BAD way to enjoy a Sunday 100 mile trip to a cruse/in.
My advice,ride in or drive one of those tubed drive~in crusers,then install mini/tubs and the biggest radial(11-12 inches) you can find,you'll be OK at 80 while the show~boaters are s~~tin their pants to run 60.

Hi: I am on my second tubbed car. The first was a Dodge D-50 (Mini truck) They look great at the shows and while your crusing the streets. But they can put new meaning to the word squirrely. You feel every discrepancy in the surface of the road. I am currently in a 65'Chevelle Pro-Street. It is longer and heavier than the D50, but it still gives you a thrill on wet streets. I like the look and have been rodding long enough to know that when you personalize your ride, you have to make some concessions, ie more HP, less gas mileage. Have fun. Keep us posted on what you are doing..........t

I own 3 cars with the rear tub. I haven't found any problems on the highway or in town. I buy expensive tires and keep the pressure as suggested by the manufacturer. My 4th car is a 37 Dodge business coupe on radials, it has no problem either. MII front suspension and GM posi rear. Maye I just got lucky.

Todd