Bumper / Splitter mounting: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Feb. 7, 2011 12:57 p.m. snipes Reader
Okay I have a few questions for you guys about my front bumper.

First off this is my bumper and current mounting. It has 6 aircraft quality 1/4 turns holding it on. the two you cant see in the pictures are at the top all the way back at the front wheels. I have to turn the wheels and reach inside to get them loose.

So on to my questions...
1. Does this look strong enough to hold the bumper on at track speed?
2. The more I think about it I hate that i eliminated all the impact protection on a car. This is not a dedicated track car. Should I go back and add an impact beam, or if I did how would it really help? Would it just transfer the damage to the body anyway?
3. I don't think that I need to go this crazy, but I could create a solid splitter mount, an under tray / skid plate (for the fuel system), and some structure to smash before my headlights, fenders and hood.
Feb. 7, 2011 1:08 p.m. Smack35 Reader

As long as the mounts are riveted on firmly and the bumpers part of the zeus is mounted firmly to the bumper then you should have no problems. Since this is not a dedicated track car I think the impact beam and other safety pieces should remain on the car.

Why do you need a splitter? If you're going for times or your car pushes a lot I can see why, but if you're just doing PDX's go ahead and run the car as-is and spend time making sure it is ready for the track instead of worrying about making the splitter in time. Once you have a good amount of time in the car then try to think of things it needs. Especially since the splitter will get ripped off when you drive on the street.

Steven
Feb. 7, 2011 1:25 p.m. snipes Reader

Steven you bring up some good points. So let me explain a little more. First if the car had a stock impact beam under the bumper cover I would have left it. But the cars (1979 911) just have the huge and ugly cast aluminum bumper. Also the rubber valence I have for it need to be replace and it is $$$. However a friend of mine had a fiberglass bumper for sale cheap, so it just worked out.
Feb. 7, 2011 2:37 p.m. Junkyard_Dog Dork

While every little bit helps, in this day and age you're more likely to encounter another car or truck with its bumper even with your headlights.

I'd just make sure what you have won't fly off.
Feb. 7, 2011 6:20 p.m. Smack35 Reader

My Dad has a 1979 930 Turbo in Guards Red too. In that case, I'd go ahead and mount it using the mounting hardware that you have. Make sure not to splinter the fiberglass when you drill the hole for the zeus fastener on the bumper, that's a bitch. If you don't wanna mess up the headlights go to Pegasus for covers, they have Porsche specific ones. Have fun with it, my Dad still won't take his car on track, or let me either.

Steven
Feb. 8, 2011 3:04 p.m. snipes Reader

Junkyard_Dog wrote:

While every little bit helps, in this day and age you're more likely to encounter another car or truck with its bumper even with your headlights.

I'd just make sure what you have won't fly off.

You have a good point. The car is so low in this wold of SUVs that the headlights will be the first thing to hit in 90% of accidents.

And Steven keep working on your dad. I love to see old 930s at the track.

I wish I had done something more like this guy with even more beef. Steel would have been a better starting point.
Feb. 8, 2011 8:31 p.m. AngryCorvair SuperDork

now i want to get a 911 so i can remove the front fenders and drive it around all baja-style.