My last week's project

[wythors]

The wife's 93 has been running a little hot since we got it. I'm planning on putting a Vortech on the Saleen in the next year or so, so I decided that I would upgrade the Saleen to a Griffin radiator and swap the newish 3-row into the Wife's car.

Two Calypso cars ready to go.

Pile 'o parts.

First up, a Maximum Motorsports K-member brace.

Piece of cake.

Here we go.

Radiator, fan, shroud, intake tract are out.

Upper manifod in the trash bin.

New Motorsports valve covers and Cobra lower are in.

Almost done. Cobra intake is on with an Accufab 65mm throttle body and 76mm C&L MAF. Fan shroud is painted satin black.

Done.

Glamour shot with custom carbon fibre intake plaque.

Overall, the job went very smoothly. Just a couple of minor setbacks for missing bits and pieces and a broken bolt. It was a good time.

 

[Cobra912]

looks good. They sure look pretty sitting there side by side.

What exactly is the point of a K-member brace though? Your wifey planning on autocrossing it?

 

[wythors]

What exactly is the point of a K-member brace though? Your wifey planning on autocrossing it?

Put one on your car and you'll find out. They cost less than a hundred bucks and install in about 10 minutes. They make a very noticeable difference in structural rigidity of the front end with very little effort. Next to a set of subframe connectors, a K-member brace is probably the best thing you can do to increase the stiffness of the car.

 

[skunk21]

Nice job. I like the intake, the color is really nice and looks good in the engine bay. I did my MMS 4 point K brace and strut brace at the same time, made a huge difference then I finally did the sfcs. so yeah totally worth it.

 

[Stever89]

Sorry, just drooled on your shop floor again.

 

[S&B]

talk about clean nice looking things, your doing a great job hopefully you have someone to pass your method of madness on to

 

[SteedaGT9150]

 

[1989DropTop]

Nice Post Dave, Nice to see you got some time to play!

 

[wythors]

Nice Post Dave, Nice to see you got some time to play!

Thanks Brian. Next up for this week: Putting my Griffin radiator and electric fan in the Saleen.

 

[Cobra912]

interesting, I'm surprised it makes that much difference. Are we talking just cornering? any benefit to straightline performance? how much does it weight?

 

[wythors]

interesting, I'm surprised it makes that much difference. Are we talking just cornering? any benefit to straightline performance? how much does it weight?

I'm talking about how solid the car feels going over bumps, rough roads and such. It ties the K-member to the body much better. On my convertible, it completely got rid of any cowl shake that was left after the subframe install. On the first drive in my wife's car, the lack of dash rattles was the most noticeable thing right out of the box.

It probably weighs about six pounds. To install it, you remove two of the rear K-member bolts and attach it using those holes. The front uses two already exisiting holes in the K-member. On a manual car, it will literally take you twice as long to jack up the car and put stands under it, than it will to install the piece. On an automatic car, add about 5 minutes to reposition the cooler lines.

 

[Bryan83taco]

Great looking garage and foxes man. I almost picked up one of those K member brace's used a while ago. But couldn't really find a lot of reviews on them. It sounds like they really tighten up the front end. I think I may put one of these back on the list. Obviously it would be great to have a brand new MM K member but that looks like A LOT of work. Seems like my car is apart getting worked on more then I drive it. Not cool. Maybe a long term future project.

Anyways, great looking foxes

 

[Generik]

I would love to have a garage even 1/100th as nice as yours. WOW! And 2 beautiful cars in it to boot. Looks great! I think you just sold me on the K-member brace for my vert. Already have subframe connectors and this sounds like it will be a nice addition to tighten things up even more.

 

[LarsD]

Put one on your car and you'll find out. They cost less than a hundred bucks and install in about 10 minutes. They make a very noticeable difference in structural rigidity of the front end with very little effort. Next to a set of subframe connectors, a K-member brace is probably the best thing you can do to increase the stiffness of the car.

MM owes you a sales%. I was going to get a MM STB after I finish my engine swap, but now I'll get the K frame brace also.

 

[wythors]

Def worth the money.

 

[StreetsideStig]

Nice!

 

[Cooner187]

Nice looking cars, and extra cool that your wife is interested in the same thing as you... I am still trying to teach my ol lady how to drive stick...

 

[StreetsideStig]

Nice looking cars, and extra cool that your wife is interested in the same thing as you... I am still trying to teach my ol lady how to drive stick...

You said it! I'm not married yet, but one prerequisite for me is the willingness to learn stick, if she hasn't already. (Not even joking.)