2g front bumper support/bracing

[partylikeits82]

I have been doing some research lately about putting some functional aero on my 2g gsx. I'm still in the planning/research stage of this project, and so far I have not found much for info on bumper bracing. I plan on running more track days this coming season and well, I just can't leave anything alone. Anyway, I am thinking about running a functional front splitter and possibly some canards. With this added downforce I figure I will need to run some sort of bumper support system, as the OEM bumper is rather flimsy. The OEM bumper support was removed a long time ago by the previous owner, and it's place has been taken by a FMIC. I was thinking about building a tubular support system along the bottom inner lip of the bumper and attach it to the front subframe. Does anyone know of anyone building something like this??

 

[TSiAWD666]

If I was working with 2g body work I would take metal straps, shaped in elongated C's, sort of hanging off the front bumper supports that the front fiberglass bumper attach to. One end of the C hangs over the top of the bumper (or support piece), and the other has the receiving attachments for the splitter. Maybe nuts welded into the metal, and bolts that pass through the splitter from underneath to secure the splitter into place. I would than add similar straps of metal towards the outside corners in front of the wheel well hanging down from the frame rails. Lastly, you might want to add a fifth support near the center rear edge of the splitter on the underside of the longitudinal engine support, but I'm not sure how much that's needed with just a 2d splitter shape (3d is a whole other ballgame).

 

[partylikeits82]

Alright, I think i have a general idea of what you're suggesting. Are we talking the thin, flexible straps so that the system has a bit of flex to it, but that the downward motion is limited?

 

[TSiAWD666]

Ah, no, the straps will be what transfer the load to the chassis so they need to not flex and should be strong enough for the expected load. Someone with more of a materials background can comment on width and thickness, but if no one replies I can offer that the strapping supporting mine are mild steel, 2" wide, and I think 1/8" thick, though my straps are also fiberglassed into the bumper itself which adds a bit more structure and support.

 

[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

For the straps anything from 15mm wide and 3mm thick will be more then enough to take quite abit of load, as the load is not on the surface and rather on its axis it takes load much better, this is for steel by the way if you want aluminum then im going to have a guess at 6-8 thick but its also more prone to move abit more but its only for aero so i would even feel safe using 5mm thick!

Also remember when bending sheet or strips note the grain and the way it goes! Always bend the oppersite way to the grain so you do not risk splitting it and making it weak on that joint. Its not always possible to avoid but its good common practice to check.

 

[99 OZ Edition]

I run an aeroflow dynamics splitter and canards. Look them up.