I just got my jdm conversion today, and I plan on doing my own install (yes on me for being cheap), but flamenco-T did his and his was perfect, his internet isnt working so he cant get on and show me exactly what to cut. However I took some pictures of my USDM Radiator support. He was telling me That I have to cut a few spots on the top of the USDM, and then cut the same exactly spots on the JDM radiator support, then swap them and weld the jdm to my Original middle section of the USDM radiator support. and then repeat the same thing for the bottom, he said its much easier to just do the top and bottom, then removing the whole radiator support.

If anyone could give me insight, and highlight the places im suppose to cut, that would be great.


Pics:










Thanks in advance


Mase


P.S. that engine bay looks might gross with no turbo anymore

 

Sorry i cant help you, but for attempting your own install. Good Luck.

 

wow have fun, and i hope you know how to weld

 

[img]ftp://nam:namtran@raphtze.dynu.com/users/nam/DSC01071.jpg[/img]

the circles that i made, all that u see on the ends or that connects to the body or frame must be grinded and shaved down before cutting for clean install...

i urge u to reconsider about doing it yourself... you must remember that besides rewelding teh rad support u must make sure that it is straight with the frame or else the hood will not close appropiately along with other things...

i did it myself and all i can is its not worth the trouble nor money ur trying to save...

 

 

ive done it twice by myself...
im not sure flamenco-T did his, but i went a head and replaced the whole radiator support with the JDM one. The hardest part was drilling out the spot welds on the usdm radiator support. drill all the spot welds and use a pry bar to help you out. Your also going to need to cut some of the frame (near the fenders) enough so that the JDM headlights will fit. Let me know if you have any other questions

 

 

I just got off the phone w/ him, he talked me through it, i think i know what im doing now. see i only have to drill out like 15 spot welds versus 50 for the whole radiator support. I dont mind spending the money for someone to install it, its just we dont have many jdm conversions here. i dont know anyone who knows how to do it, plus a welder is only $28 a day to rent, hehe

 

I've welded **** before, it's not that tough. Just get some scrap and weld a little sculpture dealy or something stupid to get good at it before you go fuxoring with your car

 

Thanks for the help guys, also after talking to stan, it seems like i know what to do, the red circles are the spot welds i drill out. and the green lines are about where i cut the radiator support and weld the jdm top support.

anyone have any objection?

 

goodluck

 

what about the bottom piece of the rad. support??

 

stan said the middle bar extending from the hood latch to the bottom of the radiator support is the on spot weld i have to remove

 

With so many conversions, somebody can make good money selling a how-to video.

 

if anybody wants to make or has one, ill buy one right now,

 

I cant make videos w/ my digital camera, but I'll take lots of step by step pics and write up a nice how to.


Let me know if a lot of people would be interested

 

If it's detailed enough and you don't charge a arm and a leg I'd buy one!!

 

Are you doing the conversion in a parking lot?

 

Absolutely do not cut off the USDM support there.

What you want to do is replace the USDM headlight bracket with the JDM headlight bracket (yellow section). You also want to replace the middle bar (green section). So do not remove these from each other. Here is what you need to switch:


Drill the spotwelds that lie farthest away from you around the engine bay:


Do not cut your USDM support at all. Drill out the spotwelds on the USDM headlight bracket and the two on the bottom portion of the middle support bracket. These ones:



Drill through the top of the USDM headlight bracket (yellow) very carefully so that you don't damage the "blue section" of the radiator support. To do this you might want to invest in a spotweld drill bit. A spotweld bit will help prevent you from drilling into the other part of the sheetmetal that you want to preserve. For a Honda spotwelds a 3/8 inch bit is perfect. Heres where I go mine: http://www.eastwoodco.com/

When you go to remove the JDM headlight bracket on your JDM radiator support keep the yellow and green section together. Cut the JDM radiator support here:



This makes it easier for the next step. Then turn the JDM headlight support upside down and drill out the spotwelds from that direction, so that you leave the JDM headlight support bracket undamaged.

Now put the JDM headlight bracket where your old USDM one used to be and bolt on everything else. Make sure the headlights, fenders, hood, fascia all fit well with no oversized gaps. When everything fits perfectly then clamp down the radiator bracket and weld/rivet/screw it on permanently.

I would suggest you look over the parts a little more so that you competely understand how it was put together. There are couple more steps you'll need to do after this as well.

Good luck!

 

that is one good descrption of how to do a jdm front end install

arno- who has no clue if its the right way or not

 

Pretty good how to overall

 

yah goodluck ... let us all know how it i goes

 

Got to love the visuals........

 

Nice post

 

Great info
I was wondering about the cutting part myself. Next time I do a conversion I'll do it this way!!