firewall cut out and reinfrcement? Project K-1

[85-m1028]

Well project K-1 is well under way! The drivetrain is mocked up in the frame and the body set back mostly in it's place.

I need to cut out some of the firewall for the turbo exhaust downpipe routing. Do I need to reinforce this after cut out? If so, how?

rear of engine, turbo housing

the blackened out part would be mostly what needs to be cut out

passenger side view

 

[dyeager535]

Unless that allows the firewall to flex where the pedals/booster mounts up, I don't think it would need to be shored up, assuming that the truck isn't flexed a lot.

I suspect if you cut that out, and took that thing wheeling, it would start making some nice noises, as the floor area on these trucks is weak already. The frame really isn't strong enough to keep the body from flexing when everything is stock. I'd expect to have some real issues off-road unless your frame/body isn't moving.

But that is a complete WAG, based on my experiences with the sheetmetal in these trucks...the floors are weak as heck, the firewall seems to be fairly stout, and is why I think if the firewall is modified or weakened, especially near the floor like that, it may compromise the floor panels. Or, it might not make an ounce of difference lol.