Lightweight impact bumper struts?

911st · 03-31-2008, 03:42 PM

Does anyone make a lightweight replacement for collapsible bumper strut on the 74-89's?

Or want to?

Also, is there a source for the lic. light like on the 3.0 RS with the fiber bumpers.

Zeke · 03-31-2008, 03:52 PM

I think someone here made up a substitute. I don't think it would pass DOT, so that's gotta be the main hurdle. Liability. The idea is a good one and I can think of a couple of ways to do it.

One would be to cut on some AL tubing to make a crush "zone." Another would be to make some concentric tubes one a piston type of thing with some crushable material inside. Obviously neither would rebound and would be a one time only device. I have FG bumpers and I've thought of a simple FG tube that would just collapse and break. Maybe full of silicone or RTV, it would hang on the car long enough to not be a hazard.

Buckterrier · 03-31-2008, 03:57 PM

Seriously Milt... Have you thought of making molds from the front and rear you made. They really are gorgeous.

Zeke · 03-31-2008, 04:10 PM

Well, lets stay on topic. I haven't given much time to the mounting of the bumpers and yet I continue to drive the car. Some positive mounting is in order and this will be a good thread.

Someday, maybe there will be molds, I don't know. If so, I won't be making the part or selling it.

Buckterrier · 03-31-2008, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milt

Well, lets stay on topic. I haven't given much time to the mounting of the bumpers and yet I continue to drive the car. Some positive mounting is in order and this will be a good thread.

Someday, maybe there will be molds, I don't know. If so, I won't be making the part or selling it.

Yes you're correct sorry for the hijack 911st, (but if you saw the bumpers, just awesome). I remember you saying that early on, that you would 'farm out' the mfg. if production ever came to fruition.

3.2 CAB · 03-31-2008, 06:49 PM

Why don't you try to get a set of the ROW or Euro spec crush tubes? I believe they are lighter than the USA shock type.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

Yes, after some time, we eventually got a guy to weigh and compare them. It is in an old thread -- but so are the numerous requests, so you'll just have to filter.

I think the p/n's are posted also.

911st · 03-31-2008, 09:05 PM

Anyone know about the Euro struts?

Anyone know how much the US struts weigh?

I like the stock bumpers, w/o the big rubber boxes on the back.

Buckterrier · 04-01-2008, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 911st

I like the stock bumpers, w/o the big rubber boxes on the back.

If that's what you're looking for it's pretty easy. You remove the bumper, bumper guards, fill the holes, (I used thickened epoxy, some have welded the holes closed), repaint, reattach and tada, new bumper. In the process you remove 17lbs. from the back of the car, each bumper guard weighing approx. 8.5 lbs.

911st · 04-01-2008, 07:26 AM

Thanks everone.

Mark,

Yes, yes.

The weight savings now makes this a must do. Did you replace the struts that the bumper attaches to. They have to be heave to. 17# for the overrides and a further savings for the shocks. Could be 25 lbs in the worst place possable.

Maby another 20 or so with an exaust update.

Did you sport pipe your single in muffler? If so, I need details of sound, method, etc. To me the old twin outlet or three outlet is the best looking set up on a 911.

Thx.

JP911 · JP911's Garage

Rennline now sells impact tubes similar in design to the Euro tubes that are designed to work on impact bumper 911s to accomodate their tow hooks. Could be an option.

Buckterrier · 04-01-2008, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 911st

Thanks everone.

Mark,

Yes, yes.

The weight savings now makes this a must do. Did you replace the struts that the bumper attaches to. They have to be heave to. 17# for the overrides and a further savings for the shocks. Could be 25 lbs in the worst place possable.

Maby another 20 or so with an exaust update.

Did you sport pipe your single in muffler? If so, I need details of sound, method, etc. To me the old twin outlet or three outlet is the best looking set up on a 911.

Thx.

I went back and looked at the thread I started when I finished the project. The weight saving was as follows... 7 lbs. apiece for the bumper guards, not 8.5 and 8 lbs. from the OEM muffler to the M&K for a total of 22 lbs.
I didn't do anything with the tubes, two reasons. One I am not a welder and didn't want to get into it that much. Secondly and mainly I like the look of the rub strips which hide the tube bolts. There are a thread or two concerning welding the tube plates onto the back of the bumper to eliminate the rubstrips.
The muffler is an sport muffler from Ben at M&K. The sound is nothing short of spectacular with the cat bypass. It's a one off Ben and I worked together on.