XV lower radiator support

[dannyho]

Alright so right now I've got my front end all apart to work on the inner fenders. no outer fenders, no bumper, no nothing, just the bare core support. I'll be headed over to the XV motorsports open house this weekend, and I noticed they sell this piece.
http://www.xvmotorsports.com/products/detail/index.cfm?nPID=21&cid=109&cdesc=Lower%20Rad%20Support
it replaces the flimsy sheet metal with a solid piece, tieing the front end together. I already have subframe connectors in, you guys think this will be worthwhile, as far as time to install and money are concerned. Its only 90 bucks so it doesnt break the bank.
How much will this do? perhaps later some form of their other pieces will make it into the car, but I'm waiting on the layout of my engine to figure that out.

essentially, Sell me on it!

[High Plains Mopars]

It is majorly worth it. If you have seen their video on how the front of these cars flex, you'd be convinced in a second. At under $100, it is a no brainer to put one in.

Unlike a lo tof companies who devleop parts based off gut feel and what fixed/improved our e.t., XV produces parts based off of empirecal findings from a four post test rig. All of their chassis components improve chassis rigiity with minimal weight gains.

[go-fish]

With XV's research and development work, I would believe them if they say it works. I'm getting one soon, along with the SFC's and inner fender braces.

[dannyho]

OK, I'm sold. Here's a questio nfor the technically inclined. The lower radiator support ties the front of the frame rails together. got it. But 6 inches back there's the beefy K member. Is it that the Rad. support can more easily take the force coming down off the inner fender/shock towers? why wouldn't a reinforced K member yield a similar result?

[High Plains Mopars]

The radiator core support ties the whole front end of the car together, yet it is one of the flimsiest stampings in the whole car. The K frame only ties together the frame rails in a single plane whereas the core support connects the frame rails and inner fenders to reduce verticle and fore/aft movement all in one. So it is performing multiple jobs with a minimal peice of metal. This is why their brace provides such a big improvement. While your at it, you might also consider getting their diagonal brace from the shock towers to the cowl. Again, additional support for the front structure for minimal weight.

The K frame does have issues of its own. As a spot welded stamping, it has seams that flex as well as having a steering box mount that moves when pressed. Stitch welding all the seams and adding some gussets to the steering mount will also provide substantial improvements to rigidity and response.

[Nate K]

Like High Plains said about the k frame you want to reweld and reinforce it. I removed the one from my dart and some of the welds are in the wrong spots and dont do anything. I used a piece of box tubing for the lower rad support and I can tell a difference just jacking the car up that it made a difference.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2007/06/664lh1c-1.jpg

[DRJDVM's '69]

I'm planning on using one for my 70 Barracuda. The front piece is a thin piece and mine is all tweaked anyway. I think the k-frame offers alot of bracing too but its bolted in. Just like bolted on SFC''s, they help, but with anything bolted on, there is going to be some motion.

In combination with the original crossmember under the body of the car, the new radiator support makes a big box to the front end rather than a big "H".

Its worth the small price and time to put it in.