Oh well, i guess we'll just have to do it. We want to replace the ball joints and springs anyway. And the list of things to do just keeps on growing...

 

dude... the piece you are supposed to notch, if it was taken completely off would have no adverse effects. it's not holding your frame together. and.. you shouldn't have to notch your idler arm.

the piece i had to cut was shaped generally speaking, like a triangle. i put the motor in with the ac compressor on it, marked it all out, chopped it out, and re-welded a bend into it. when i did it, i thought it was overkill.

I had NO issue with my idler arm.

the corvette accessory drive complicates things and adds expense. is it the right way? yeah... probably..... but... i didn't have the money, so just chopped the stupid little "cross member". the word "cross member" makes it sound like a much more important part than it is. it literally just adds a little support. doesn't do anything of importance, and in the event of a wreck, i guarantee you won't say "DANG! i wish i hadn't have cut that cross member!" if anything, it's there to MAKE the front end crumple. haha

 

is it necessary to make the notch that deep into the k member? im thinking that to be able to remove the a/c fitting? id think id rather have a smaller notch (half as deep, back) and just remove the a/c compr to remove the fitting. how often would you have to remove the fitting anyways? lol

yes? no?

 

I haven't installed my A/C yet, but I did test fit it once and I don't think I would cut it any closer than I did (see pics in post #42 above).

Heck of a lot of work to get in there and redo it all if you need another 1/4 inch.

 

yea derren, i see you didnt go as far back as others. you are about 1/2-3/4'' from the mount and it lines up with the edge of the upper spring pocket. most ive seen are about 1/4'' from mount and lines up with the inner ring on spring pocket. i think im going to get close to what you did

 

Back from the dead!

I've searched several threads on the AC notch. I can't find anything discussing the triangle brace that overlaps the notch area. Seems that brace would be to important to just cut out half of its mounting area. Could someone explain what they are doing with the triangle brace when notching for ac?

 

This may be wrong because I'm working from memory, but it seems that I eliminated it based on a consensus that it was not vital. If I recall correctly, some earlier models didn't have the piece.

Perhaps I kept part of the brace, losing just one leg of the triangle, can't recall. I'd go look but I don't have the car...

 

You're right that earlier models didn't have the triangle braces. They were added just like the wonder bar. They have a function that I bet is very important in a car that gets autoXed and road raced. I mean the wonder bar was added to stop the frame from cracking behind the steering gear from the stress of a stock IROC which already had the triangular braces at testing.

I would like to have the AC for when it gets street driven but I can't afford to give up any structure or frame bracing for it.

 

So re-locate it lower, or rotate it slightly

 

Better than no brace.

 

I left it off