I recently did an in car cam swap and removed the two little braces that form an x and hold the air duct in place in front of the radiator.

My question is do you think that those two little rods provide any structural support or are they just meant to hold the air duct in place. I'm trying to decide whether or not to replace them. I don't plan on putting the air duct back in place. So if they don't strengthen the front end I'll just leave them off as well. Any opinions will be appreciated.

 

Those things are so light I don't really see them being super important. Just leave them out and don't rear end anyone!

 

Thanks. That's what I was thinking. Anyone else care to offer an opinion?

 

Hmmm not sure their only reason is to hold the duct in place. My TA has them as well but doesn't have a duct there to hold so it must be some type of structural support. If it's not in your way I say put them back on, the engineers who designed this car felt they were neccessary.

 

I removed my X - brace and have been driving it like that for a couple of years now. It had to be removed along with the baffle to install the ram-air boxes.

The brace is only there for minimal structural support to MAYBE save the radiator upon a light front end impact (minor wreck).

 

I've been driving it and I can't tell any difference. Since they are only held in place by one small screw on each end I would think that any structural "loading" would have sheared through such a small screw so I really don't think that there is a lot of force being applied.

However, since it is a convertible I want all of the rigidity I can get so I may just put them back in.

Anyone else have an opinion?

 

I think a #8 Screw can withstand up to about 500-600 LBS Sheer...

John

 

I don't know if it's all in my head or not but the car seems less rigid. I'm going to put them back in.

 

I wanna see a larger pic of that black 'vert. possible?