Removing and replacing radiator support UPDATED W/ PICS!

[maneeno325e]

Just purchased and got finished painting my new core support courtesy of one of the members on here.

since im 24v swapping my eta with plans to eventually turbo it i want to make the core support removable which from my understanding has been done and documented on here by a few individuals.

ive been doing some pretty extensive searching but havnt been able to see any pictures of anyones finished core support swap that they made removable. hell id even like to see some pictures of the removal process as im not too sure how to remove the vertical "legs" to the frame where the bumper shock attaches.

any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Farbin Kaiber]

Search JGood, and Bmwmech1

Or,

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=225093

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=196500

[maneeno325e]

thanks man id browsed quickly through those threads but after reading for like 2-3 hrs i think i have a decent idea of how to do it.

i wasnt planning on removing my fenders but it seems inevitable if i want to do this right anyways.

[maneeno325e]

im about halfway done my core support swap. i have the old core support out, and im trying to line the new one up.

i anticipated it being a tight fit but damn, the new one will barely fit in between the frame rails without me banging it in.



idk if this or normal or not, but thats not the REAL problem. my main problem is that the new support will not clear the side of the engine bay where its supposed to be welded onto.





i made some incisions on each side as seen here



and here.



but i still wasnt able to clear the bay. what am i missing/not doing right?

[maneeno325e]

did a little bit more cutting today to try to fit the top of the radiator support in

does the support go infront of or behind the engine bay rail? both a tight fit so idfk. this is definitely the most in depth part of my swap. will be so nice once its all said and done.

Right front


right front again

Left front

[maneeno325e]

bump. anyone have any advice/helpful information?

[maneeno325e]

without the core support in the sides of the engine bay flex in quite a bit, probably about a 1/2" maybe more, so in order slide the top of the new core support it you have to carefully pry them back. basically i just had to put my purse down and man the fuck up.


p.s. are the bottom two bolt holes for the fender? i forget...

top is almost lined up now except for this little gap on each side.



if i hammer the core support any further in, it either slides right back out, or is already in contact with other metal and doesnt budge. is this gap supposed to be there?..

anyone with useful information i'd be glad to hear it cause this project is kicking my ass and needs to be done in ~ 6 weeks at the most.

[325issguy]

I have never done this project before... but, you would be best off going and taking the measurements from another unmolested car to be positive that you get the damn thing in the correct spot.

It seems to me like ur just tryin to get it to fall in there which is guaranteed to not be perfectly straight in the end.

[maneeno325e]

-__- ughh. well i figured if i match up the holes on the core support with my fender then i should be set as far as the top part of the core support goes. and also if that lines up then my hood should have no problem lining up.

i have about 1/2" of space between the bolt hole on my fender and the hole on the core suppport. somebody help! any advice would be awesome, i can feel the gray hair this fucking project is causing.