I stopped by the 'body shop' last night and snapped a few pictures of my custom front fascia that is being built for my APS FMIC.

He was supposed to prime it late last night and paint it today to be ready tomorrow, but I won't be able to pick it up until next weekend.

I basically told him I wanted the bumper to look stock, and resemble the later GT-R front bumpers. I didn't want to change any lines on the car, and I wanted it to look smooth and as OEM as possible.

He basically cut the lower valances in half, and then plastic welded them back together much narrower. He then plastic welded new plastic in to make the FMIC box. On the car it fits perfectly, and looks stock.

 

damn you, thats the same thing im trying to do. looks good tho, kinda glad to see what it looks like. good luck.

i guess you are gonna scrap the aluminum bumper, im trying to fabricate one like Wld350z did out of tube steel.

 

it looks pretty sweet. good luck with the project.

 

very nice work

 

You can barely see the car in the background of one of the pictures. I have already cut the front bumper, and I now only have about 40% of the stock bumper on the car. My goal is to be able to fabricate an aluminum piece to go over the FMIC opening. I'm going to have to tap some inside sources to find a welder with the ability (to weld aluminum beautifully) and detail to get this job done...

 

wouldnt it be easier to just get some heavy steel tubing and just use it and make some custom brackets. it has to be easier and safer, since aluminum is weaker, especially after cutting it.

 

I guess it all depends on how you look at it. I don't want 'heavy' steel tubing as the stock front bumper weighs probably about 8lbs. I already have the stubs on either side, so if I can find some rectangular aluminum like the stock bumper is made out of I can have that welded to be almost as stong as the front bumper. I have also thrown around the idea of just getting a 2nd frong bumper and basically stacking it on top of the stubs I have now and I think it would clear, but I'll have to double check.

 

it wont clear, there is only about an inch of clearance. when i say heavy i mean as in strength not actual weight. im just worried about a mid bumper impact, like tonio had, if he didnt have that bumper or at least something, his IC would be toast. good luck and keep us updated, with pics.

 

You're crazy if you think any sort of modified bumper will save the IC from a direct mid bumper impact. You have to remember that the car is designed to absorb impact and basically fold in on itself, while the motor is telescoped down and under the car. Unless you redesign the entire structual system on the car to NOT give in the front end is going to absorb any significant impact right in to the IC! Now, if its a low speed impact then it may help a little, but anything over 15-20mph and the IC is gone regardless, in my opinion.

 

you are correct as in a high speed impact, if that was the case, the IC would be the last thing on my mind.

but like i said in my previous post, like tonios car, he hit a deer going 20mph, and it demolished the front of his car while the IC was untouched.

but youre right, if i get hit by a tractor trailor going 80, i doubt a steel tubing bumper will provide any protection.

 

Those pics look fawking hot. Make sure to post finished shots.

 

I just went and saw the bumper again, but no new pics. Its primed and in its final stages. Just for the sake of accuracy, he did NOT plastic weld it, as the plastic weld compound would not stick to the Urethane, so he Urethane welded the entire thing.

I also talked to him about doing a 2nd bumper. I have a 'primed from the factory' spare fascia sitting in my garage still that I don't need for anything now. He said he would love to do a 2nd one, if anyone is interested in having a custom bumper cover made.

I'm not sure on pricing at this point, but he did mention that he could paint it to match whatever color the car is. If anyone is interested let me know and I will get some pricing from him

 

mine is brilliant silver, is that what color yours is? if so he would already have the paint. send me a price.

 

Mine is diamond graphite

Once I get a price together I'll let you know.

 

good to see that you modified the stock bumper cover rather than buying an aftermarket one. it will not be noticeable to most not familiar with the car but will fit and show the intercooler perfectly while still appearing stock. i personally like the looks of the g and z stock body sitting low and on big wheels rather than some of the outrageous body kits out there.