Hello,

I am watching your build with interest, and thanks for posting up the engineering requirements. Does the 1 inch reinforcement around thr rad cut out, just mean 1 inch flat strap? im assuming not inch by inch SHS?

Cheers

Ed

it means 1 inch SQUARE ... unfortunately.

A word of warning though - not all engineers will pick the same things and not all will agree.

I made sure that everything was in writing and that there was nothing to add (just in case he decided to change his mind or try to pick up something new in the final inspection.)

Just as an update I called on a panelbeater I know and he's gonna weld in the auto tunnel for me that will only cost me about $100 or so ... woohoo that just means that it's been 'professionally' done

My POOR engine Bay ! - nicely painted, now .... well see for yourself

I decided to interpret the engineers' requirements to the letter about needing a box around the radiator where I cut out the old support. So I bought some 1" Square tube and tacked it up for a 3 sided box (ok, I know you need 4 sides for a box but I think the pictures tell the story). I folded down the lip under the old radiator support and will deal with that later.

I made the 'box' to comply with the requirements of the engineer and mine. As you will see I have mocked up the EXA radiator in place and it looks like it will work out great. The radiator fits almost under the support rail, even space for the thermatic fan.

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  Radiator support 2.gif (83.71 KB)


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  Radiator in place 1.gif (169.64 KB)


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you can paint behind the front valence panel at least now... looks good. great fit for the radiator too. nice how the top mounts bolt up to the square tube too.

Thanks,

I am going to have to repaint most of the engine bay, it's a bit of a mess with the tunnel removed and the front attached viciously. There's a bit of other incidental damage - bumps and bruises.

The engineer wanted the support to go right down to the rail but then the radiator would not be able to tuck under the support and I would lose an inch. So I have 'interpreted' his ruling somewhat.

The inch square tubing sits under the old rail perfectly.

Now I have to think about the auto transmission cooling

Mmmm...good to see your getting stuck into it. I just hope the engineer is happy with your 'interpretation' and doesn't need it attached to the rails. Particularly because in my case with the intercooler and piping to consider there is no way I can achieve this and still have a stealth intercooler setup. Currently the only room I would have to put the down tubes is just to the inside of each headlight hole (so would be further up that inside wheel arch than yours).

I like the way that exa radiator is able to situp under the rad support top section...it will give you some extra room for thermos.

Anyway keep up the posts.

Another Saturday, A little more progress.

THE TUNNEL IS IN!

I took the car down to the panel beater yesterday and left her there overnight. It's her first sleep over so I made sure that she was secure and tucked in ready for an early start in the morning.

anyway, picked up the car at about noon and decided to take it down to see tommo73 .... guess what he wasn't there cause he's had a baby! ... Congrat's Jason! so, I met Nick (Superfatto) for the first time and we went over datto stuff for an hour and then I got off home to clean up the welds a bit and get some etch primer on the work done. Oh and YES I am gonna have to paint the inside of the valance panel now (another job).

Here are the Pic's :)

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supafattos good to talk to... washe caing away? tunnel looks good. factory almost ;)

Bit of an update ...

Cleaned up a bit in the engine bay, bent back the leftovers of the radiator support.
started to repaint the tops of the strut towers (the paint was chalky so went back to bare metal)
Removed the fuel tank , need to think about an R31 tank and fuel pump/sensor.
Bought a cluster for an auto 180sx (s13)
bought a litre of 'seam sealer' and sealed up most of the seams under the car
Bought a few cans or 'Auto Flex' underbody spray and Sprayed underneath
Borrowed a madddat crossmember off tommo and did another mock up

the auto does not seem to line up very well in the back of the tunnel (that may need some re 'shape-ing') but sits just under the side rails - it should be ok

I don't know why I cant imbed the photos from photo bucket so here are pics (I hate computers sometimes)

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  auto through the shifter.jpg (169.83 KB)

that motor is sitting heaps to the front
just as well NA not turbo,wouldnt fit cooler in as well