HBK

iTrader: (1)

Hey, I have a 88 CRX Si I recently bought and built from a guy who had it turbo.

He removed the stock cross member and was using a traction bar/radius rod package instead with custom brackets for the radiator.

I'm now running this setup, with a completely stock d16a6, solid engine/trans mounts on the side, stock rear mount, and no front mount.

The problem is that this is way too aggressive for a stock, daily driven crx. It vibrates my whole car and I'm trying to pass inspection.

I want to put the stock cross member back on, but lo and behold, the last owner completely cut out the front end. NO radiator support on the buttom.

What I wanted to know is if I can somehow keep the traction bar on the car to give extra support, and hold the radiator, but use the stock crossmember for the radius rods and front mount so I can go back to rubber mounts.

Is this possible? I haven't gotten down there to take measurements yet. I'd even consider keeping the radius rods on the traction bar if they will fit underneath the stock crossmember, or modifying the crossmember with a sawzaw to fit just so I can run that front mount and get rid of solid mounts.

Anyone done this?

bake1782

pics!

you may also want to simply test fit a stock crossmember there for your radius rods and see if it all fits!

Bigdavebrooks

the traction bar bolts in the same mountoing holes as the stock crossmember so it is one or the other

HBK

iTrader: (1)

Well, the traction bar on this car mounts into the 3 holes for the tow hooks... So the area for the stock crossmember is still available. I'm just worried about something hitting. I'll take some pics when I get a chance to give a better idea.

My original idea was to run the stock crossmember, and fab up a bar, similar to the traction bar to mount the radiator on, using the tow hook holes. But then I realized, maybe I can just use the traction bar for that, plus extra strength, instead of making something just like it...

Jenkinsal2

you are wasting your time trying to come up with a subpar solution to a nonexistent problem.If you want a traction bar keep it. If you want a cross member put that on.

jdm ef8 89

lol I wish I had a traction bar instead of my stock crossmember, your lucky.

HBK

iTrader: (1)

If I put the stock cross member on, I have absolutely nothing to hold up the radiator. It's just air down there.

As I stated before, the radiator is currently braced by the traction bar. If that's removed, there is NOTHING to sit the radiator on, which is an issue.

My only other option is to buy a new bulkhead so that I have a radiator support/front end again, but I is broke.

So I either put the the stock cross member on and try to fab something to hold the radiator, or try to modify something to run both.

Jenkinsal2

Junkyard or fab up a simple support for the radiator. It would take all of an hour if you don't care how it looks.

tyked15

so buy a rad support not that hard

JeffBro

Simple solution. you don't want the stock cross member.

dohc4life

wow, just put the stock crossmember back on along with the stock radius rods the radiator will sit fine right on the crossmember, then bolt up your front motor mount from the transmission to the crossmember and it will be fine

hatchet_honda

sounds like you have an innovative mounts crossmember. the one i have has spots where a half size rad would sit for clearance. seems he cut the 2 tabs off under the car that supports the rad?? maybe weld somethin on there? thats what id do..ive become a master rigging things to work lol

HBK

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, you got it. I'm still using a full size radiator, and I want to make sure it sits correctly and doesn't hit the hood, etc.

I like the idea of having the traction bar there for extra strength, so I'm going to see if I can make it all work together. If not, I'm going to remove the traction bar, install a stock crossmember, and fab up something to hold the radiator up, rather than "letting it sit on the crossmember."

One nice bump and my radiator will be hanging by the hoses haha.

But to the people saying "wow", and "simple solution"

I'm not a moron. I put the entire car together in less than a week with a full time job. I simply was asking if it's possible to fit both a traction bar and crossmember to solve my problem. Ya know, has anybody done this, since if it would work, it would be my best solution.

If I had to choose between stock crossmember, and a traction bar with solid engine/trans mounts, on a stock crx si, I'm gonna go with stock crossmember. If I want to become a race-car driver on the streets of Philadelphia, I'll keep the unnecessary piece of metal on my car, preventing me from having a nice, quiet ride, and a perfectly seated radiator.

JacksonD

I'm going to venture and say the traction bar is NOT causing vibrations, the motor mount inserts from the last guy are probably still in there and causing the vibrations.

HBK

iTrader: (1)

The solid engine and trans mounts are whats causing the vibrations, but I'm trying to find a way to use the traction bar and crossmember if anybody knows, or just crossmember and custom fabbed mounts for my radiator, because the original owner hacked up the front end for an intercooler.