Any pros for spending the extra money for a 99 spec front rebar besides bragging rights? Do you actually gain anything from installing one, like better fitment of the bumper? Any one ever had both the factory rebar converted to fit the bumper and then bought the real deal? What’s difference and or benefits? Thanks guys just trying to convince my self to purchase the real deal. I’ve had a brand new bumper just sitting there for a couple of years waiting to buy the 99 spec rebar.

 

99 spec rebar is made to fit with the 99 spec bumper. Bragging rights? That one flew over my head. Its called a rebar...reinforcement bar...for front end collisions and rigidity. You can install the bumper without it if you want, but I'm sure it would be a sloppy fit. Buy the rebar...and don't brag about it. That's...weird.

 

I have a front rebar. I agree that it is better for rigidity in a collision situation. it has larger opening for the front lights so you dont have to cut like the 93 spec ones. The interesting thing will be if the oil cooler ducts will fit cause the holes are bigger as well. I did get all OEM parts cause it just works better and is correct. Not sure there are any bragging rights either, its just the correct item to use.

 

Haven't weighed it, but I just dropped my 99 rebar off at my car, it feels lighter weight compared to my 93. *shrug*

Basically, it fits better than the 93, if you're putting a late model bumper on. It's really a personal choice if you want it. Obviously people have been making the 93 rebar work for many years. I just figured since I'm putting on a rare, baller bumper, It doesn't make sense for me to skimp out on those things. Hell, I just ordered a bunch of the bumper metal brackets this morning that most people skip on too.

Of course, that mindset is probably why I'm double my original budget for my build.... I wouldn't sleep right knowing that I skimped out somewhere, but you may be different :P

 

I thought you can remove all the metal brackets from the stock bumper and transfer them over to the 99 spec rebar? As far as bragging rights, when if ever you come to the point of selling the car you can brag on the for sale thread (it’s not cheap) lol.

 

These cars aren't cheap, so as a potential buyer I would question the rest of the car if short cuts were taken when swapping over to a 99 spec bumper and not using the rebar as well. As for the metal brackets, I'm sure you can use them but I'd imagine they're not expensive, and if your car is like mine, a few of them are missing. Just easier to buy new hardware most of the time. Not necessary, but something I'd certainly do.

 

The brackets are expensive when you need all of them. $371 for all of them plus the rivets

 

Ok so do the factory ones work on the new bumper? My car still has all of them

 

Yes you can drill out the rivets and then rivet them on to the 99 bumper skin.

 

Yea, factory ones do work, what kinda condition are yours in? After 25 years, mine were bent, weather stripping was cracked, etc.

I'm sure I coulda made them work, but to be honest, spending thousands on a paint job to make the car look clean as hell, and opening the hood to see weathered aluminum brackets doesn't give me the warm fuzzies

Again, personal choice.

 

Car is garage kept and not driven in winter. Brackets look pretty good still

 

The 99 spec reinforcement bar has a provision fitted for the 99 spec plate. The benefit is it helps prevent the bumper from sagging which can lead to paint cracking/spider webbing.

 

I just did this install and its a tight fit. really like the new look and all the clips and bolts fit well.. the biggest issue is needing to relocate the the horns and no stock oil cooler ducts. I plan on getting the R-magic ones. I did however get new 99 brake ducts and under tray as well.

 

I like it. I did the same swap and was happy I went with the 99 reinforcement bar. Really good fit

 

The original S6 rebar also has a three piece foam set that sits on top of the rebar and helps keep the upper edge from sagging (often unsuccesfully and often missing).There may also be foams that sit on the front of the rebar. The 99 (S8) rebar fits quite snuggly under the lip of the 99 bumper, without, it seams ,needing foams. (BTW: Both S6 and S8 are "factory".) There still is some sag which may require some shims under the hanger bracket. It seems the S6 rebar would need substantial modification to fit under the S8 bumper. S6 rebar seems to be wider.


S8 bumper skin does not have side marker reflectors/lights like the S6. This may be an issue, depending on the jurisdiction.

 

Bump on this thread -- going to fit a replica GT-C bumper -- seems like 99-spec (S8?) rebar might fit
the one I have 93 (S6) doesn't fit with that bumper

I'm also looking at getting all the brackets etc rather than transferring.. it's expensive but might as well do it right
This seems to be a pretty good list on an older thread:
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...7/#post9634322

1 FD01-50-1D0 PLATE(R),SET-F.
1 FD01-50-1G1 PLATE(R),SET-F.
1 FD01-50-1E0 PLATE LT, FRT BMPR
1 FD01-50-1F1 PLATE(L),SET-F.
1 FD01-50-1AYB PLATE,SET-F. BU
1 FD01-50-1AXB PLATE(L),SET-F.
1 FD01-50-1B0A PLATE(R),SET-F.
1 FD01-50-1C0A PLATE(L),SET-F.
1 FD01-50-0KXA RETAINER,FASCIA
1 FD01-50-0K0A RETAINER,FASCIA
1 FD01-50-0K1B RETAINER,FASCIA
1 FD01-50-CR0 SPACER
1 FD01-50-CS0 SPACER
2 BF82-50-233 FASTENER
4 D001-50-222 SCREW
10 FB01-50-133C NUT CLIP
2 G158-50-803 SIDE PROTECTOR NUT
15 BR70-50-0Z1 RIVET
1 B103-68-865 FASTENER
1 BR70-50-0Z2 BOLT
3 B455-56-145 CLIP
3 B455-56-143 RIVET
3 B455-56-135 NUT CLIP
20 NA01-56-145 FASTENER
3 FB01-56-964 RIVET


one thing though is that they don't seem to make one of the pieces anymore which are the brackets which hold the bolt/screw connecting the bumper to the fender
FD01-50-1G1
FD01-50-1F1

so seems like that one has to be re-used or somehow replaced

 

Agreed! I have not been able to find those 2 anywhere. I plan on just making a couple of my own for my other FD i am working on.

 

Looks like I found someone is making replacements for
FD01-50-1G1
FD01-50-1F1
https://jp3motorsports.com/collectio...umper-brackets

I haven't tried them yet but will do so!

 

Where are you guys getting the 99 rebar on the east coast?

 

I wish some enterprising vendor would fabricate a 2 or 3 piece 1999+ FD rebar that can be bolted together or use an interlocling design ? and therefore much cheaper to ship from Asia ?
$800 is nuts for a piece of bumper backing plastic, mostly because it is Mazda + overseas shipping freight surcharges when not shipped in bulk, and then add all the inflated hardware costs .. ????
I get that vendors selling Mazda OEM can't sell aftermarket, but if the part is 2 or 3 piece and looks slightly different from OEM, it shouldnt be much different than selling plateless 99+ bumpers, should it ?

 

Would you sell the old 93 rebar?

 

The 99 rebar is worth the cost. In addition to the added rigidity and safety already mentioned, the 99 bumper skin can sag in places overtime without the proper support.

 

Well worth the cost. Also i make sure all my mods are 100% undoable. So i need to have the complete 93-spec setup archived for the future.