IROC RSR bumper finishing

[mreid]

Finally got around to finishing my front bumper. It sticks out about a 1/2" on each side, so I sucked in the gut and cut an inch out of the middle:



Kind of looks like the Chevy symbol.

Pushed it together to check fit, then clamped it for inside glass work:







Two layers of glass and tomorrow I'll grind down the gel coat side and lay up a few more layers. Should have it ready for paint next weekend:

[Elombard]

Wow - that will look great. I did not know you had to remove the gel coat, why is that? so you can get it smooth on the front or does the FG stick better?

Thanks

[philip j]

Is this a new bumper that your trying to make fit? I'm going to do a front oil cooler upgrade this winter, and will need a new lower valance. Hope I don't have to do work like this to make it fit. Philip

[mreid]

I have two front fiberglass bumpers made for turbo width flares (9"). Both fit both of my cars the same. They stuck out 1/2" on each side.

It is about 90 here today and the fiberglass set up nicely, so I ground down the gel coat (raw fiberglass will not stick properly to gel coat) and finished the fiberglass work:











Tomorrow I'll sand the whole thing, fill the gaps, and get it ready for primer filler.

[wildcat077]

Originally Posted by philip j

Is this a new bumper that your trying to make fit? I'm going to do a front oil cooler upgrade this winter, and will need a new lower valance. Hope I don't have to do work like this to make it fit. Philip

Hate to disappoint you but from what i recon,none of the fiberglasss bumpers are a direct fit ...
I just recently installed both front and rear fiberglass bumpers due to my new 3.6 engine needing a front mounted oil cooler and i had to relocate all the mounting studs on both bumpers.The rear ones were off by 1.25 inch on one side !
And to top it off,the 3 inch holes for the brake cooling hoses were cut flush with the inside of the bumper, WTF ??? I had to glass in my own 3 inch extensions ...
The fender gaps are horrible but i track my car so i can live with that !
Ask around before you purchase from any particular vendor,i'm sure some are better than others ...

Cheers
Phil

[80nick]

wildcat77, what brand are the ones you purchased?

I'm looking at Getty Design and Rennspeed Motorsports bumpers front and rear. Opinions?

[wildcat077]

I got mine from Patrick Motorsports ... not sure who their supplier is !

Cheers
Phil

[mreid]

One of mine is from Rennspeed, the other from TRE. Both appear to be from the same mold with the same glassed in mounting bolts and fitment challenges. Having worked with fiberglass for years and being a bit of a perfectionist, I will say that all fiberglass parts require work. It is very forgiving and easy to work with, just makes a mess. I've built five kit cars with fiberglass bodies. If you think this job looks tough (it's really not) try building a Factory Five!

[JeremyD]

rennspeed made mine - and yes they all require some work - although mine did not require as much as mreid.

[mreid]

Looks like a perfect fit!









Unfortunately, I'm out of filler so it won't get finished until next weekend.

[Reifle]

Nicely done!

[ShakinJoe]

Sweet

[Shaun @ Tru6]

looks top quality professional, nice work!

[jpnovak]

something tells me you have done this before.

Yes, fiberglass work is not difficult. Just dusty and messy. I see quality work here. I have used fiberglass from several manufacturers. They all required fit and finish with a few up to this level.

I don't know. I might have just made the fenders wider.

[mreid]

Finally got some time for bodywork:



And four coats of high build:



Found a few pin holes and a couple of minor scratches. I'll hit those with glazing, then guide coat, and hopefully have it wet sanded by next weekend. It would be great to have it top coated by next Sunday!

[mreid]

A couple coats of white and tada! Ready for decal and install tomorrow:

[McLaren-TAG]

Looks good Mark, but you've got to do something about the side and rear Porsche decals, the font is all wrong and just "cheapens" the rest of the effort you've put into the car.

[mreid]

Agreed. Dave at TRE sent me a note on that very subject and is sending new decals.

[mreid]

So, finished the front and rear bumpers. The rear was easy compared to the front. I added the Carrera RSR sticker just for fun. That turbo tail will be replaced with an IROC tail once I get around to finishing it. Last time on jack stands for a while (I hope):







I'm also going to replace the side graphics. I copied the sahara beige Fittipaldi car, but they just don't look right:









Got to love the look of 9&11x15 Braids with Michelin rubber. Bad to the bone:





Just got back from a drive and the ride height didn't settle as much as I hoped. Looks like about an inch front and rear will do it. While I have a 3.6 engine for this car, the current 2.7 is amazing. It just keeps pulling and drives like a dream!

[Elombard]

Those wheels/tires are really great. weird that that decal looks great on the tan car but a little off on yours? And I love the white blue!

Are you going to stick with flag mirrors? The IROC tail will really set it off. Awesome job on the FG work, I am inspired. Really great car.