Is the US Car Tool's lower radiator core support worth it?

[Dans 68]

I just picked up a project (http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,122184.0.html) and I'm going to add sub frame connectors and torque boxes to it. Is it really worth the added expense, in time and materials, to beef up the lower radiator support? Can a difference be felt? Anybody done this? Now would be the time to do it I guess.     Thanks for any opinions.

Dan

[keepat]

Dan,

I installed the US Car Tool lower rad support on my charger and where I don't necessarily think it's necessary certainly doesn't hurt. I ordered it without the holes so once it's welded it's hard to tell that it's been added.  Check out the link below and post #80

Good luck with your new project looks like a great car!
Pat

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,110212.75.html

[Dans 68]

Dan,

I installed the US Car Tool lower rad support on my charger and where I don't necessarily think it's necessary certainly doesn't hurt. I ordered it without the holes so once it's welded it's hard to tell that it's been added.  Check out the link below and post #80

Good luck with your new project looks like a great car!
Pat

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,110212.75.html

Thanks, Pat. Like others I did no know it was available without the holes. I'm still thinking on it...  :scratch chin:  But I may do it.... 

Dan

[tan top]

 yes think I would have fitted one of these  , if they were available at the time .
       when I had my charger stripped down to a empty shell , thought how flimsy the upper & lower core support was 

[Dans 68]

Thanks, guys. I just ordered it (along with the torque boxes and sub frame connectors). 

Dan

[cavemanno1]

I have ordered their subframe connetors,Lca reinforcements plates,k member skid plates from Firm feel I believe.
Didn't order the rad support tho.My car is about to sail so I can't ship one with the car now.My question is,what would it take to fabricate one up from scratch?

[keepat]

I have ordered their subframe connetors,Lca reinforcements plates,k member skid plates from Firm feel I believe.
Didn't order the rad support tho.My car is about to sail so I can't ship one with the car now.My question is,what would it take to fabricate one up from scratch?

You would have no problem making one from a 10" X 48" X 1/8" sheet of steel. Just follows the same lines and shape as the original course support.
Pat

[Kern Dog]

The frame rails are cantilevered past the K member so I'm not sure what the added bracing would do. It cannot hurt but I'm not sure the total effective gain. If the K member is seam welded and reinforced in the steering box mount area, that would seem to be more of a noticeable improvement.

[garner7555]

I agree that this brace is going to make less of a difference than the others.      But as Keepat said, it would be extremely easy to fab up your own, Especially if you leave off the holes.  The more bracing the better, within reason, if you want the car to handle drastically better than stock.   

[cavemanno1]

Thanks guys!
I think i will get that done and fab them up!
Was no mentioning of the inner fender braces like kepat has!
4 speed r/t's came with torque boxes right,so I don't have to get them!
Will get the inner fender braces fab up somehow along with the radiator brace!
Those with the frame connectors,lca plates,k frame reinforcement should make to car solid!
It's not overkill is it?
Don't plane on autocrossing or track days but i just want it to handle a bit better.
Have PST poly front bushing,bigger front sway bars,rear sway bars,bigger torsion bars and kyb shocks.

[keepat]

Thanks guys!
I think i will get that done and fab them up!
Was no mentioning of the inner fender braces like kepat has!
4 speed r/t's came with torque boxes right,so I don't have to get them!
Will get the inner fender braces fab up somehow along with the radiator brace!
Those with the frame connectors,lca plates,k frame reinforcement should make to car solid!
It's not overkill is it?
Don't plane on autocrossing or track days but i just want it to handle a bit better.
Have PST poly front bushing,bigger front sway bars,rear sway bars,bigger torsion bars and kyb shocks.

Here is a interesting video of an E body with and without the US car tool inner fender braces. Note K member not installed
Pat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7pfNBrrP88

[Mike DC]

The K-frame helps stiffen things a lot if you weld it on.  Just ask the NASCAR guys. 

But in bolt-on form it isn't doing so much. 

[tan top]

The K-frame helps stiffen things a lot if you weld it on.  Just ask the NASCAR guys. 

But in bolt-on form it isn't doing so much. 

true 

[NHCharger]

OK a little late to this party.
I installed one on my 68, along with subframe connectors, oversized front sway bar, stiffening plates on the LCA's and tubular UCA's. I hadn't driven a second gen Charger for decades before doing all these mods but the difference in handling between my 68 and my 71 and 72 Chargers was astounding. The 68 also has a built 440 so I was concerned about the two pieces of flimsy metal (as Tan Top noted) that make up the front section of the car.