Just curious, I have seen many turbo Fc's with the front bumper cut vertically about 5inches to the top of the plastic molding. This little trim job makes the grille/mouth HUGE. I was wondering if I could cut out that tubular brace that the oil cooler mounts to. I read that it really isnt needed and know that a few guys have already scrapped them. Is there a downside to doing this? I want to mount my shiny new Griffin Rad. right up front for optimum airflow and coolness lol.

I had planned to mount it on an angle with the bottom of it angled towards the housings.

What do ya think?

 

You want to scrap your oil cooler?

 

He wants to scrap the tubular bar thing it mounts to. I know exactly what he's talking about.

If you can figure out a way to re-mount your oil cooler, I don't see why it couldn't be done. The only reason I wouldn't do it is because I don't like the way a cut up bumper looks, and I don't really like the fact that front mounts get in the way of the radiator.

I'm not sure, but that might also have an effect on the structural rigidity of the car, as well?

If I were you, I would also make some ducting for the radiator and oil cooler, maybe through the brake ducts or fog light areas?

James

Edit...oops. I just re-read what you wanted to do, about relocating the rad. Do you have your undertray? As long as you have your undertray and your cooling system is up to spec, you shouldn't have to relocate your radiator...unless you want it to look like a FMIC so people will think your car is fast...

 

Sure, you could re-locate the rad to the front, but theres really no need. If anything needs to go up there, its the oil cooler.

As far as cutting that tube goes.....you *can* and shouldn't have issues, but I do know its quite vital to the structre at the front of the car. Its the strongest member of the lower core support.

I wouldn't cut it. There's other less vital braces that can be trimmed, but you should be able to get enough air flow with them intact.

 

I guess really "why" is the ultimate question here. So, why exactly do you want to do this? What benefit do you think you'll get from it?

 

My FC has a 78' 350 stroked to a 383.

It is fast lol.

I want to move it because the engine bay is tight as is, the addition of a 38mm 3 core rad. puts space at a premium.

I was going to cut the bumper so I be sure I have enough air flowing through that Rad. and through the new Oil Cooler. I figure with the dual HKS draggers and Tein springs, the huge *** Rad. with a shocker stencil on it would look amazing and haul ***.

And yes, I do have a Stainless sheet metal undertray

My car looks Rice, sounds amazing, and hauls ****.

I have heard mixed reviews about removing that brace. Some say it makes no differnce if you remove the brace, others say that its very important for front clip rigidity. I figured I would ask you guys, the real experts not the v8 swap guys.

Thanks guys!

 

Well, as a blanket statement to my previous one:

Sure, you can cut it off and the front of the car won't buckle or anything drastic, Im also quite sure that in regular driving conditions it would take a hell of a lot of shock/bumps etc. to really throw things out of whack...

BUT

Is the piece in question an important part of the front end's ridgidity? Yes. Is it there for a reason? Yes.

In short I think you'd be alright, but I wouldn't do it to any of my cars simply because I want to be as safe as possible if someone does somethign they shouldn't when Im driving.....

 

Safety is key. I wouldn't remove it either.

 

^ Word

I may cut it out and weld a weld in a piece of steel stock a few inches further back if I need the room that badly.

Thanks guys, Ill have to take a picture of the finished product. Wheres my sawzall?

 

It stands to reason that removing that tube would make the chasis a lot less rigid.

Do you have an E-Fan on your rad? I have a monster Howe radiator that makes the aftermarket FC rads (fluidine, Koyo, etc) look small. There's a lot of extra room, granted I have a rotary.

 

Sorry for the assumption, I didn't check your sig.

If you do wind up cutting it out, I would do like you said, and at least weld in a piece of steel in its place.

Good luck,
James

 

Its cool James, I get that assumption from STi's and Evo's too lol.

Ill be sure to post pics when its done. I thin kI may pop rivit some sort of mesh screen on there too to help protect against road debris.

And yes, I do have a monster Dual fan Flex-a-lite electric fan setup

 

Let me know how all that goes. I'm pretty sure I've seen you car on tristate tuners. I just started to prep my car for the el es juan swap (build up thread is on tristate) but I definetly thought about doing the same thing as you especially considering that area is huge with no oil cooler there and no ac condensor , etc.

 

what about the fact if you have a your radiator in the front like an intercooler, what about all the road debris flying into it. rocks,small animals, etc...