Yes, I've searched. I read through a million jdm front threads but none of them really talked extensively on this topic.

We know there are 2 ways to do the radiator support for a conversion. You can drill the spot welds and do the entire support and reweld the whole thing to the car frame, or you can opt to just do the "t-bar" and keep the lower factory welds.

I'm very aware many of you are against cutting a perfectly good itr up for the sake of a conversion, but let's try to keep that aside for now.

Which method will retain the most structural rigidity? Cutting the t-bar off from the bottom of the radiator support essentially cutting the radiator support in half, and rewelding just the top piece, or keeping the radiator support as a whole and welding the whole thing to the frame?

I'm inclined to think that keeping the lower welds would keep the car stronger b/c the t-bar doesn't seem to be as much of a lateral load bearing structure. Its primary design seems to focus more on just holding the headlights and keeping the hood latched.

What's your opinion on this and why?

 

Id say the t-bar mod will be stronger because you are keeping the lower factory spot welds in place.

 

^^, then again...depending on the year of the car, (IE:2001) that means the factory welds would be 9 years old at least...wouldn't newer welds be (in theory) stronger than say 9 year old welds? or say the car is from '97 when the ITR debuted in the US...those welds would be 13 years old now...just sayin...

 

Do it the t-bar way because its easier and stronger. Why take out the whole support when u don't have to...

Here is mine......

 

word, looks good man. get some paint on that thing!!

 

i also did the T bar and it is perfectly strong

 

x2 on the T-bar route, anyone else

 

Its already painted, check my itr rebuilt thread...

 

This is a good info

 

T bar for sure

 

the way in the pic is the same way i did mine.

 

since u guys are on topic...where can i buy just the t-bar or a jdm rad support...its all im missing for my front...

 

What is a stronger setup? Retaining the USDM core support and just swapping the JDM T-bar. What is the better or best method for a JDM front? That's for you to decide.

 

Check your local jdm warehouses, ebay and honda-tech classifieds....