I just omitted the smile when I installed the front bumper- I need to do some paint touch up but otherwise it’s pretty clean.
I used the existing speed nuts in the fenders and corresponding screws with large fender (haha) washers to distribute the load on the fiberglass.
On a light colored car the 964 smile really highlights the size of the bumper and looks a bit comical to me- without it the bumper just flows from the car. If I had a dark car I might have kept it. The addition of the black stripe (vinyl) helps pull the eye down and away from the bumper-hood junction further allowing the hood to flow into the bumper; a nod to the long hoods.
I had initially thought about modifying the SCRS front bumper and tucking it in about 1.75” but given the cost of the piece I had second thoughts about cutting it up and either not liking it or heavens forbid, messing it up. Maybe in a few years I’ll give it a go, or just backdate [emoji23]
I did have to make several aluminum brackets that bolted to the exterior of the front trunk wall to give the fiberglass a bit more support. I reused the holes that were there for the original 911 rubber smile and some aluminum L from the hardware store.
If/when I take it off to do paint I’ll probably add some more brackets or a continuous strip to ensure the bumper isn’t wavy as the fiberglass really wants to flex on its own.
In addition I had to fabricate some brackets to go from the bumper shock mounts to the mounting plates on the bumper. A bunch of aluminum stock and a bit of welding made quick work of it.
The weight savings is absurd- the bumper and brackets weigh about 8lbs. On the rear it’s even more dramatic and where it’s needed more!
The front bumper creates a lot of space for oil coolers and AC systems and the front air scoops almost perfectly aim the air up at those fans.
