rad support advice/ideas.

[vkboy]

Hey guys im abit unsure of what the best way to tackle a problem ive got atm. im fitting a rotor into my '26 corolla van but want to do something about how flimsy the radiator support is, i dunno if mazdas are similar but you can pretty much bend it however you like with you hands, and am unsure how well it will cope with having a heavy radiator/cooler etc bolted to it. has anybody fabbed up their own sections of the radiator support or done any sort of bracing on the support to make it abit stronger before?
cheers for any help.

[Sam_Q]

I would in your case put a U shaped cro-mo peice of pipe in there that was able to bolt to the ends. Interesting project you have there, if you don't mind me asking which suberb are you in?

[Cuzzo]

If you add a return (like an L shape) on the edge of the support it will strengthen it slightly, along with some plates behind the bolting locations will strengthen it.

Once the rad,cooler etc is bolted it would be quite strong.

[vkboy]

thanks for the replies guys. sam q do you mean a pipe that runs along the length of the cut out section of the rad support? with the cooler/rad bolted up its quite strong as you said cuzzo but i might weld in some plates onto the rad support so all the weight of the rad/cooler isn't resting on the radiator support.
sam q im in wantirna.

[Sam_Q]

well I personally would make a combined intercooler bracket and rad support brace. So it would replace the existing bracket you have there and a rigid design made from round pipe. Or if you where really pedantic you could continue the existing shape of the top of the support on either side and make it go around the radiator. Many options, looks like your close to me, I could in theory drop in after work on a given weekday.

[vkboy]

what suburb are you in? would b good if u culd come round as i can't quite picture what you mean. im normally home most weekdays so whenever is best for you i suppose.

[lexsmaz]

Not sure if you want to get it engineered but if you do they dont like radiator support panels cut out as it looks like you have done, so it will definately require some sort of strengthening, best to contact an engineer to check but i would suspect they would want side supports as well as top bracing at least ..

Also how are you going to hold down the bonnet now, are you going to use bonnet pins ?

[cambelt]

Hi
That tunnel looks custom , if you dont mind who made it ?
Dave

[Sam_Q]

Endeavour Hills, send me a PM

[vkboy]

lexsmaz, yeh i know it will need strengthening to be legal, standard the rad support is flimsy as anything so i will definately be aiming to make it stronger, considering the power that will be going through the shell.
cambelt, the tunnel was done by all race in dandy, they did afew things on my car.
sam q, msg sent.