Wanting to create a tubular front crash beam?

[Boostdtalon]

I've tossed this idea around for a while. Mainly this was brought on by an old roommate who almost totaled his subie by kissing a civics rear bumper at under 10 mph. it did quite a bit of damage to the front. Now I know the norm with alot of people is to hack up the factory crash beam or remove it all together. This is something I've never been comfortable with. I had a jdm rear on my Evo and I had the rear crash beam made to fit. Now I've been considering making a crash beam that would still function close to what the factory one would. I also want to make one as a proper means of mounting the bumper cover, foglights, and FMIC. I am planning on keeping the USDM bumper covers.

What I'm wanting to do is take the dimensions from a factory crash beam and get a basic design. Just wondering if anyone has done something close to this or would have the dimensions for this.

This is the FMIC I plan on using.

This is my roomies car. before and after.

Now I know they used chromoly for the beam.

 

[Hertz]

My JDM bumper/fogs/93 heads after rear ending at about 5-10mph. (No USDM crash bar)

 

Ouch and ouch. I can't help you with dimensions but if you can make this into reality you could probably turn a profit.

 

[JNR]

somebody had made an aluminum bumper support a few years ago and dammit for me not buying it when it was for sale /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I like the idea, although sometimes when you put something too rigid there, it ma have a tendency to 'push' the energy farther down the chassis somewhere else and cause more damage then without. However, if we're talking 5 mph bump, maybe not such an issue; just something to keep in mind is all. That's why I like aluminum, cause it gives way easier, yet offers some protection.

 

This pic is a friend of mines car- Jason L. (CKA on here) He had that IC custom made to fit the vr4. So if you are planning to use that particular one PM him to see if he still has the specs for having it built if you want the same one.





Quoting boostdtalon:


This is the FMIC I plan on using.

 

[Boostdtalon]

^^^^ That FMIC is sitting in my basement now. I bought it a while ago.


Yeah I know the chromoly was alittle overkill. I've debated on what to use. Aluminium was definitely something I've considered.

I thought about possibly doing a small run. The only issue is that I'm not positive on the clearance between the usdm and jdm bumper covers and the FMIC everyone uses is not the same.

 

[cheekychimp]

Someone on here had a really really nice internal chromoly bumper support for a rally Galant VR4. It even had protection bars for the front mount. I have the pictures somewhere I am sure. Probably on my spare lap top at work! I will try to dig them out.

Paul.

 

[Boostdtalon]

Thanks Paul that would be a big help.

 

[H05TYL]

I can understand wanting something sturdier in the rear, because you're quite reliant on other people not to run into you, but at the front... wouldn't it be easier to just increase your following distance by a couple of car lengths? (and pay attention).

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

 

[SouthCaliVR4]

maybe if you still have abs it's best to prepare for the day that thing refuses to stop & shoots you forward at a light. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devil.gif

 

[Boostdtalon]

Quoting H05TYL:
I can understand wanting something sturdier in the rear, because you're quite reliant on other people not to run into you, but at the front... wouldn't it be easier to just increase your following distance by a couple of car lengths? (and pay attention).

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif



well it's not so much that as I just want something there instead of hacking up the factory crash beam or removing it completely.

It's not that I'm worried about hitting someone. I just know the consequences of running without support up front.

 

[G]

How about one like this?

 

[Boostdtalon]

thats sick!

 

Someone should check to see if this will work on a gvr4. It will at least give you a starting point & modify from there JMFab 1g race bumper support

 

[dustyduff]

Quoting Garfield Wright:
Someone should check to see if this will work on a gvr4.



I have one of those laying around, but my car is still at the paint shop. I don't think that the jmfab support would really help you out at all (even in an extremely low speed impact). It simply helps provide attaching points for saggy front bumpers with removed their bumper supports.

 

[AWDnoobie]

That is just a support so the bumper dont sag, I think the OP wants something to semi protect the ic

 

[dustyduff]

^^^ I just beat you to it. Lol /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Boostdtalon]

Ok let me clear this up since I feel I'm not making myself clear.

#1 I want to be able to mount the bumper cover, FMIC, and foglights on this setup.
#2 In the unfortunate event, it would be nice for this to be somewhat keep the front end in a good position. (hence me asking about metals to be used.)

 

[curtis]

I have a JDM bumper for mine and I'm going to use a Volvo or a BMW aluminum bumper as a front bumper starting point. Already have it but can't remember what year or body it came from but it does have a radius to it on the ends. CH4522 0049 is the part number on it. If your going to do aluminum it needs to be an extrusion or a c channel that started as a bumper before. Mine is an extrusion and a rectangular piece with a center divider in the middle running parallel to the ground. As for the shock to the chassis the factor bumpers didn't have dampers here in the US but couldn't hurt having them. Hit a nice junkyard and shop the european section, there's some nice pieces if you look around and most have dampers bolted to them. If you remove the bumper mounts from the US cars the subframe is open and will be easy to install a damper inside.

 

[GolfBall]

i feel like its gonna take more then one little bar like on the scubi to be effective at all in even a 10 mph crash....

the one on that drift car might do the trick.