FMIC install, who kept the bumper?

[MyBeatGSX]

Just a quick poll of every to decide what I'm going to do with mine. I realize its not very safe to leave the bumper off, but the bumper also covers half the IC core. So who left the bumper on and who left it off (or cut holes). Keep in mind, I'm talking about the actual plastic BUMPER itself, not the bumper cover (i.e. the front end of the car).

 

[alex99gst]

I kept mine because sure, it would be cool to get a little more umph out of the car from removing all that weight, but I care more about the safety of me and my passnegers over getting moving a little quicker.

 

[daren_p]

I kept mine to, just notced it out for my core since it's 10" tall. I cut the support so there's about a 1" gap infront of the core and did the same with the bumper cover so I figure some flow will still go through the top of the core. I figured removing the complete inner bumper was a little unsafe & it supports the bumper cover so it will more then likely start to sag, under the lights etc.

 

[2gGSX]

I kept mine, because I figured I'd get enough flow from the bottom to where it wouldn't make a significant difference. Then ambient temps went to triple digits

 

[AL92]

I have extreme turbo systems race 2g intercooler.I recessed my intercooler back by doing a few tricks to the hood latch brace and only had to cut maybe a small 1 inch cut on bottom of my bumper support . I feel way safer having the support in there as can push on the car and stuff still. I would definitely keep it if you can especially on 2gs since its not very heavy and not metal like on the 1gs.It was easy to cut with a jigsaw and metal blade.

 

[Galaxy]

If it helps you,I have read that the bumper is only useful in 5-10 mph crashes so if you hit something hard enough ,it won't really matter anyway if you remove it or not.Since my 1G is metal and I don't have a plasma torch,I may remove that completly when the time comes.If I ever turbo the spyder,I may cut that one since it'd be a bit easier.

I always wondered who kept that power steering hardline that runs up front?

 

[CanadianTSi]

That piece of plastic was gone with the wind...If I ever actually hit anything hard enough to matter there's alot of steel upfront that will absorb some of the blow.

 

[daren_p]

I always wondered who kept that power steering hardline that runs up front?

Not sure if your talking the 1g or 2g but in the 2g, I kept mine. Just removed the weld that held the bracket to the center brace and routed the hardline to the back side of the center support instead of the front. Then I fabbed up a bracket that mirrored the factory bracket and used the two to support the line in between the support and rad with a bolt to stand them off so there wouldn't be any rubbing.

 

[kelvinb]

if you are getting a decent sized fmic and its covered by the support (fits behind it but you cant see it) you obviously can keep it, but if you decide to take it off you could also trim the bumper for more air flow. example

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[MyBeatGSX]

^That looks very nice, I think that's exactly what I'm going to do.

After talking to a few of the techs at work, they agreed with the bumper only being useful to 5mph as well. If you hit anything harder than that you're going to mess stuff up whether its there or not. No use keeping it. The only reason to keep it would be chassis rigidy (I can't spell today sorry) because it does tie together the front of the frame. I think I'll just get a strut tower bar to make up for it.

 

[98evoIIIpwr]

Yup, took mine off also. My car is only gonna be a weekend warrior anyways so a plastic bumper is not gonna help much. The weight reduction isnt much but combined with everything else I have removed it adds up. Especially if you consider the bumper shocks that were removed. Those things were like 8-10 lbs a piece. Im sure its a 20lb savings or so.

 

[Ultimatedsm]

Took a good chunk of mine out, but its still there.

 

[GSX]

After talking to a few of the techs at work, they agreed with the bumper only being useful to 5mph as well. If you hit anything harder than that you're going to mess stuff up whether its there or not. No use keeping it. The only reason to keep it would be chassis rigidy (I can't spell today sorry) because it does tie together the front of the frame. I think I'll just get a strut tower bar to make up for it.

Good call. I consider my FMIC my 5 mph bumper as there was no way a bumper was going to fit underneath AGP's 2-216 Spearco Core.

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

Yea it's gone, no point. Good thing, since my the xs/ss kit is so affordable, if it gets crushed, its very affordable to get another set.

 

[unclesam099]

I was just in a minor fender-bender and I am happy that I had my metal bumper there. The radiator support got bent up pretty good, but not as bad as it would have been if it wasn't there... Granted the speed was probably 10mph, but it would have been more than a hood, bumper, headlight, and blood/sweat/afternoon of bending stuff back.

I'm going to keep mine when I put my FMIC on. Notching it is fine with me. But it's nice to have if you drive your car on the road.