1Ga front bumper options

[Ludachris]

So I'm starting to weigh my options in terms of changing out the stock bumper cover completely. I've always wanted to keep the factory look as much as possible on the exterior but the front bumper cover just limits you so much when you go racing. It allows too much air to go under the car and the FMIC opening could stand to be taller for cooling. The problem is all the aftermarket bumper covers look too... not factory. I guess I'm coming around to the idea that if I want better functionality I'm either going to have to deal with what's available or just deal with inferior aero and cooling.

On to the choices - I've found these two bumper covers for the 1Ga:

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^ this one looks closest to stock but I don't know if I'm gaining much in terms of the FMIC opening. Does anyone have access to one of these? Can you measure the opening to see if it's bigger than stock?

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^ this one is basically the same design as Collier's but it's made for a 1Ga. I think Collier took one that was made for a 1Gb (since there wasn't one made for a 1Ga at the time) and modified it. It obviously has better cooling properties and better aero but it's a little more extreme than I'd like to go. I'd probably modify it a little and eliminate the cooling vents on the sides just to tone it down a little. I don't want to completely lose my stealthy appearance.

Thoughts?

 

[Elvenhome21]

I am putting the exact same nose on my GSX. It is by far the best nose for aerodynamics IMO. Becasue you can add a lip or a chin very easily and it has the side ramps which should direct the air over and around the tire (if it sticks out any) Which will also give a little down force. Plus it doesn't change the look from stock as much as the others because it follows the stock shape. The only thing with the kit I bought was it is very stiff fiberglass, and It won't work for a lowered car. On a stock height car the new nose was only around 4 inches off the ground. Which isn't high enough for my area because of curbs and driveways.

 

[Ludachris]

If I do go with the Drift bumper I'd modify it like this (notice the side ramps are molded so fit the body line and the side vent is gone):

 

[DSMcamaro]

I have the second one pictured, the one most people call the "drifter" I believe. Like Collier, I modified a 1GB bumper to fit on a 1GA. In the process of modifying it to fit I would say it helped raise the bumper an additional half inch or so. I am grateful for this extra half inch almost every day that I drive my car. Even with stock springs I usually find myself angling every other driveway just to clear. I'm also minus a real bumper. Now that I have a plasma cutter I probably would have modified it too fit, but without a cutting tool as such, it would be a real PITA. I think you will lose stealthy appearance no matter which bumper you go with. I know 95% of the people on here hate body kits anyways, and even though I have one, I really hate the look of a car that only has 1 piece of a body kit. Have you thought about trying to modify you stock bumper in anyway?

 

[Ludachris]

Yeah I'm one of those guys who really doesn't want to put a body kit on my 1G but I need to do something about cooling and poor aero of the stock bumper cover. I've thought about trying to work with the stock bumper cover but it just seems like it would be too much work and not very sturdy after the fact. I'd basically have to cut the lower half off and extend it to make the FMIC opening bigger and flare out the sides to help cover the tires a little. Not sure if it's not just worth starting with an aftermarket piece that's designed better for aero to start with.

Do you have more pics of your car?

 

[DSMcamaro]

I know, it sags under the headlight. But you never notice it unless your way down towards the ground. plus it was my first attempt at body work.
http://students.uwsp.edu/peler141/web_page/fwd_page.htm

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[mavisky]

Just get out the dremel and hack up your stocker like I did.

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[Ludachris]

I don't know that I'm ready to pull the bumper out though since I'll be driving to events on public roads. And even then, the dremel won't open up much more space for FMIC flow - you'd have to reconstruct the opening... I've considered all that

 

[DSMcamaro]

So puurrrdy!

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The bumper also works great for a true CAI. My intake is currently right up against the side wholes you are talking about removing.

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[eclipse2via]

I'm probably going to get the first one pictured above, I think it's usually called either B1 or Bomber style. I really don't need more intercooler opening I need more airflow to my oil cooler so I can safely run through the 100+ degree heat during summer trackdays. Add a front splitter to block airflow from escaping before it reaches the rad can only help. As it is I can barely get in my driveway so the drift is way out.

 

[boosted_91_tsi]

It may be a bit extreme and I am not sure what type of racing you do but with the second cover pictured you could modify the side vents into brake cooling ducts and at least put them to some kind of use.

 

[EuroGSTSpyder]

its very easy to do that one the first one as well. I will ###### get that one and cut open the sides ..following the lines and cut it open, bend the piece inwards and mold it to become a airduct for the front brakes. WOuld be a piece of cake really....
Now I just need to find a way to shipa bumper like that over here cheapest way possible. Its not the cost of the bumper thats killing me..its the freight cost :-(

 

[eclipse2via]

It may be a bit extreme and I am not sure what type of racing you do but with the second cover pictured you could modify the side vents into brake cooling ducts and at least put them to some kind of use.

That's where my oil cooler is on the drivers side. When I get around to ducts I'll use a headlight inlet through the washer bottle hole on the driver side and a simple duct on the passenger fog light area.

I'd thought about a NACA where that vent is but there's just not enough room with a 8x11 oil cooler in there.

 

[mavisky]

I'm still planning on trying to use a large naca duct on the side of the bumper for brake ducting. I think I've got enough room to slide around behind my oil cooler setup.

 

[Elvenhome21]

I have yet to find an efficeint way to get a "nozzle" so to speak to fit on the rear side of the spindle and have room for the hose with out it getting hit by the tire.

I did this saturday night during MFBA, I just threw it together with dryer hose and an elbow. I bolted it to the strut so hopefully the hose would follow the general path an not get caught by the tire. If only you could find some oval or flat tubing it would probably work nicer.

 

[mavisky]

I believe you'll have to run it along the frame rail and use some tied off supports to keep it out of the way. I'm going to do mine in 2 1/2" most likely to help give it as much room as possible.

 

[JOEY A]

LUDA I think the 1st one is great!!


Very clean and flows with the lines of the car, I have pics of it on a white 1G would you like them?


Its also a very clean nicly painted white 1G so it should look geat on your car, and add extra cooling

 

[JOEY A]

I would say mod the 1st one a little bit for a bit more flow, its the best bumper for DSMs look wise....Also it is a copy from BOMEX from there MR2 kit.

The drift kit" Is the best looking EXTREME kit...Im not a huge fan but it looks nice

Luda I do have pics of other side skirts that are much cleaner than the drift would you like those also???????