I have been thinking about removing the front bumper support for some time now and this is what I came up with.

First: The front bumper is only on the US spec Evolution so it seems that the car was designed without that in mind. According to Buschurs site this piece weighs in at 13lbs and we can all agree that it blocks airflow to the FMIC.

My Logic: I really like the idea of more airflow to the FMIC and less weight over the nose of the car...........but was having a hard time remove a piece that I feel will help in a small (light dog, grocery cart, soccer mom backing up) impact to the front of my car, as well as it potentially add a little bracing to stiffen the car for the track.

Here is what I did:

Removed front bumber cover, mark bumper support, remove and cut with a chop saw, This just removed 9lbs:




Clean up, light paint and reinstall your new "Bumperettes" (Thanks to AMS for the intercooler)



CLOSE UP:



Find some sturdy andle iron an cut to size this will act as a support for your Bumperettes as well as a very light duty protector for the FMIC (I didn't measure it but I think it is 1/4"?)




Disconnect the negative terminal on the battery and have a skilled friend handy to weld your bar in place, Thank you Devin!! After it cools remove it from the car and weld the back side also.




Scuff it, Paint it and reinstall it on the car. (I used a Matte black but it was still wet in the picture)




Close up: Nice welds (Thanks Again Devin) there is about 1/2" clearance between the bar and the FMIC




Install the front bumper cover and your all set. You can barley see it at all.






I was able to remove some weight from the front of the car (approx 8lbs), open up the airflow to the FMIC, retain the 2 bumper cover mounts in the mouth of the car and still have a slight sense of security in a light "bump" to the nose of the car.

Total time: It took me about 1 hour with the proper tools and I had to recruit a welder because I wanted it to actually stay together. (IE I can't weld)


DISCLAIMER: There is no evedince this will do anything to protect you, your FMIC, engine, radiator, persons.........ECT. Perform this mod at your own risk.


Matt Jensen.

 

Well it does look good, I hope she is safe. Probs on the work though..

 

Wow. Now go wreck it and see if it helps! Seriously though, I like the idea, might have to try that someday.

 

Neurotic.

 

Only problem is if you get in an accident..insurance won't cover a lot of the potential damage since the impact beam was removed/modified

 

I got into a little 3 mph front end collision and the bumper bad saved my fmic. Without it, my ams front mount would have been done. Hopefully this will prevent that.

 

For 9 lbs - Just go on a diet!

LoL

 

WORD!

Thanks for posting this. I just did the same thing to my bumper support. I cut out 26 inches from the center and 2 inches from each end. I welded in a piece of 1 inch square tubing to make things solid. It looks awesome and saved some weight.

 

I doubt it has even 10% of the strength as before Props for doing something different tho

 

haha i like the diet idea! hahaha its not worth the weight loss to possibly destroy your front end! do you know how much front lights are and intercooler to replace??? bumper bar would save all that! and your insurance probabaly will not cover it, just not worth it to me!

 

lol I think its tight. It does offset the added weight from the AMS intercooler I bet!

 

i cant believe you were welding so close to those lights with them exposed like that! thats crazy dude...

 

custom work =

 

Why? He was TIG welding, it doesn't spark like MIG unless you dip the tip.

 

its still seems sketchy! their only plastic...