How light can a stock rear bumper get?

chrisp · 03-22-2005, 10:56 AM

While debating whether to buy a glass rear bumper (for my SC) I was wondering how light a stock set up can get?

I am not concerend about structural integrity...after all I am planning on putting a glass bumper on some day.

I know the pads save weight but what about any other parts that can be deleted?

On top of the parts deleting has anyone drilled a holes in the bumper itself (I think there's a racing bumper that has holes in it)?

How light can you get while using the stock bumper as the starting point?

RickM · RickM's Garage

How's this for lightening?

GeorgeK · 03-22-2005, 11:59 AM

Not the lighteset you can go, but a step nonetheless. Under the bumper there is a 1" wide "strip" in front of the line where the lower skirt attaches, which can be sawed off too.

chrisp · 03-22-2005, 12:55 PM

Nice pics. Thanks guys.

Wondering if anyone has been able to get a stock set up within a few lbs of a glass bumper. I think a glass bumper weighs under 10 lbs installed.

The stock is somewhere around 40+ (if memory serves me right)

Ove · 03-22-2005, 02:58 PM

More pics:

Time to get out the hole saws and start drilling

dd74 · 03-22-2005, 03:05 PM

I'd rather see someone get an f/g bumper than butcher up a stock bumper that another 911 can use.

rfuerst911sc · 03-22-2005, 04:03 PM

GeorgeK how did you do the 3 horizontal openings in the bumper?I have purchased a spare alum. bumper and would like to do the same thing you did it looks very nice.

Gumba11 · 03-22-2005, 09:07 PM

"Wondering if anyone has been able to get a stock set up within a few lbs of a glass bumper. I think a glass bumper weighs under 10 lbs installed. "

Nice thought but Im certain that is as far as it goes. I dont see it possible and believe me I think anything is possible, but that is reaching a bit.

The only thing I can think of is spending so much time on a mill to mill the thickness out of the bumper you would soon go crazy. By the time the bumper were to get light enough there would be little to no strength left in the part, so I would say just go glass.

Just my .02.....................................C

CRH911S · 03-22-2005, 09:25 PM

"Wondering if anyone has been able to get a stock set up within a few lbs of a glass bumper. I think a glass bumper weighs under 10 lbs installed. "

I don't think that will ever happen. The bumper shocks weigh at least 5lbs a piece. Here's my new rear bumper compliments TRE in North Hollywood, CA.

GeorgeK · 03-22-2005, 10:20 PM

"GeorgeK how did you do the 3 horizontal openings in the bumper?I have purchased a spare alum. bumper and would like to do the same thing you did it looks very nice."

I drilled the holes at each end of the openings, then with an electric reciprocating saw. Filed a little, and it's done. The finish on mine is not perfect but the area is covered by the license plate.

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 03-23-2005, 04:50 AM

Having just installed a Getty Designs f/g rear bumper--highly recommended, fits perectly (which I understand is rare)--I've been reading bumper posts and have seen a number of posts quantifying the weight of the stock bumper, of the bumperettes, of the valance, but one thing everybody seems to neglect is the weight of the shock-absorbing rams and their hardware, once you remove them too. They're heavy.

Stephan

Glasgow 911SC · Glasgow 911SC's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Formerly Steve Wilkinson
but one thing everybody seems to neglect is the weight of the shock-absorbing rams and their hardware, once you remove them too. They're heavy.

Stephan

Here's the DATA

chrisp · 03-23-2005, 06:10 AM

Thanks Glasgow.

I'll continue with the assumption that a stock set up is 40 lbs.

So, bumper pads are 10-12lbs a pair

Shock tubes (going to aluminum) could save 7 lbs

The rubber trim is probably another 2 lbs

So just the valance, bumper, and side skirts weigh 20 lbs.

Taking a hole saw to it all has to bring it within the 10 lb range....so far it's all free (I can fab the aluminum tubes I think) and I am only losing 5-6 lbs to a $400+ glass bumper. Taking off the valance may make up another 2 lbs.

Thanks guys.

masraum · 03-23-2005, 06:18 AM

I gotta say, I can't imagine that the valance weighs more than about a pound. It's feather light. Might as well just remove it if anything.

Just more scientific data to add to your quest.

Craig 930 RS · 03-23-2005, 08:26 AM

Holes in the rear bumper/a higher bumper makes a ton of sense; look at a stock car.....notice how bloody HIGH the rear bumper bottom is?

Reduces drag.....even creates a tiny bit of "downforce" via low pressure....