1980 B: Fast Cars Radiator VS Sway bar

[Brownwood]

I trial fitted my Fast Cars 5.0 Ford radiator in my 1980 MGB today.  I like the way it sits much higher than an early Mustang radiator.  In fitting it, I realize that it occupies the same space as the front sway bar.  It appears that no matter what radiator is used, the swaybar would be eliminated.  I'm sure someone has solved this issue but I couldn't find anything in my searches.

[Moderator]

Keep looking through the photo gallery... there are a lot of photos!

The great majority of MGB V8 conversions have radiators shifted forward of their anti-sway bars. For one thing, that buys extra room for pulleys and "puller" cooling fans.

My car is one of the few exceptions - I used a shorter radiator (specifically an AFCO "Sirocco style" radiator) mounted directly above the stock anti-sway bar position. That radiator works fine for me, but I'm not sure it would cool a 5.0 engine.

[MGBV8]

I'd call Ted & see what he suggests. I don't know of a single Fast Cars build that came out of his shop without a sway bar.

[Brownwood]

I'll call Ted but I'm not using his front suspension.  I have the radiator as far forward as it can go, about 1.5 inches forward of the stock location and right up against the grille panel, but no  way will the swaybar clear the hose outlet without dropping it down more.  I've already had to cut 3 inches off the bottom of the mounting brackets, losing one set of mounting holes, to get it to drop down far enough for the hood to close.

[rficalora]

I have the same radiator and the fastcars IFS.  I simply welded some blocks to the bottom of the frame rails and put captive nuts in them.  If there aren't pics in my HIWD page I'd be happy to send you some.

[Brownwood]

Here's a pic of how the radiator looked when I 1st dropped it in, requiring 3 inches to be cut off the brackets just to get the hood closed.  I lost a mounting hole on each side in the process as well as 25% of the mounting bracket.  I now have it mounted right up against the front panel where the hood latch is and I was pretty happy with it until I found out the swaybar wont bolt up.  I'm a little concerned about cutting more of the bracket off to drop the radiator below the swaybar.

[Brownwood]

Thanks Rob.  Ill review your page and PM you if Im still in need.  My radiator is completely different than any other Fast Cars radiator that I have found on this site....

[rficalora]

Only difference I see is the top of yours is finished off nicely.  Mine has the raw edges.  I made a cap for it but never got around to polishing or installing it.

[Brownwood]

Here's a couple of pics of it after I cut the mounting brackets so it would clear the hood.  I really liked it iuntil i found out the swaybar and the lower hose outlet want the same space.  Frustrated bu endeavoring to persevere!

1st pic shows the rad sitting nicely wher it bleongs.  2nd pic shows the great ground clearance but no swaybar unless i run it through the middle of the lower hose outlet

[Brownwood]

Rob, I found the pic of your swaybar spacer.  Mine would have to be quite a bit thicker to work, about 2.5 inches, as the swaybar is about 3/4 of an inch shy of going over the top of the radiator outlet.  A problem for another day...

[JWD]

Take a look at Alex Mantell's HIWD. It has a good pic. of a sway bar spacer.

[MGBV8]

If that is what it takes, it should be fine. I don't believe it will adversely affect anything by spacing down the sway bar 2.5 inches.

[JWD]

Spacing down the sway bar attachment to the frame has no effect on its function.

[Brownwood]

Great, thanks all.  Got a little frustrated but will address that issue when i get back from a weekend in Austin TX.

The Mantel solution is one even I can implement.  Using a piece fo square tubing is simple brilliance.  I just didnt know you could movea swaybar down with no ill effect.  Freak Out terminated!

[worn]

Sorry only pic I have that shows the sway bar. Mine is mounted below on custom mounts. The stock links were cut off and threaded, and mount through the underside of the spring pan with rubber bushings, all to clear the extended radiator and frame work to support/protect the rad.