k here is the scoop.....i have stock 93 front bumper. its a little messed up from having someone back into it. And eventually im going to be getting an aftermarket bumper. but for the time being, it covers up 1/2 of my intercooler. I was thinking of cutting the bumper to raise the opening about 3-3 1/2 inches. I figured it would help with my intake temps and coolant temps as well.

what do you think?

 

dont know about you, but i definitly would not cut it

 

why not show us a pic of how it is so we can give you a better answer

 

i've seen a 2nd gen with a stock bumper modded like that.

 

Take a picture of the front end and use MS paint to draw out where you're planning on cutting it. It would help air flow, but I don't know if it'd be a noticeable difference. If you're planning on getting a different bumper later on, then all you are losing is the ability to sell the current bumper (nobody's going to buy a hacked up bumper). It'd definitely make it look worse.

 

First I think that would look riced out.

2nd, its highly unlikely that would affect IAT.

3rd, there would be absolutely no affect on coolant temps since you not increasing air flow in any measurable way and especially since you are not increasing air flow to the radiator.

Remember that there is a huge crossmember behind the IC so there won't be any place for the air to go if you open up the front of your bumper in that location.

 

There's actually a car here on the forum that has his cut and it looks pretty sweet IMO. I have the picture on my computer at home, I'll post it when I get a chance.

 

here is a thread that Bodyshop did when he cut his bumper
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/custom-front-mount-bumper-406195/

 

I would never cut my bumper.

 

Not my car

 

^ Very Aston Martin, looks like it was professionally done. Kind of like a girl with a cleft palate, however; the cut is too high, IMHO. If the owner'd kept the top of the cut below the line between the turn lamps, it would be mean as hell. I wonder where the cold air for the radiator is going to come from... I guess it's the same problem for most FMICs.

 

the last pic is nice, but I would have cut and finished the oil cooler openings as well. swapped for the smoked updated turnlights and replace the lip with a 99 lip and called it done. well, at least done with the bumper.

 

I remember that grey car. They didnt just "cut it". As i recal they did a lot of work to make it look that nice and I think its one of the best front bumper's ive seen. Then again I'm a stock *****.

 

yeah like that grey one a few posts above....the front bumper is messed up a little anyway so im not really worried about having to sell it. and the cut i make would be a little lower then that grey one. i have a fmic as well and figured any extra air flow would help both the rad and the ic. the intercooler goes up to the emblem so its prob a lil more then 1/2 covered up.

 

I cut a couple slits into mine (and through the reinforcement) ...



It looks a little funny from that low angle because you can see the horn. If I keep the stock front end much longer I'll back it with some fine black mesh.

 

If it was messed up and I was getting another I may get the saw zaw out

 

Kinda reminds me of a 99 3000gt VR4 bumper.

http://www.3sxperformance.com/custom...99-vr4-073.jpg

 

wow that actually looks really good!

 

+1.....................PURE SEX

 

^Looks good. Plus if your bumper is already toast there's no harm in cutting it up.

 

I had never seen that old thread referenced above. I think the bumper in it and the one above are the two best looking bumpers I've ever seen on an RX7! It is Astin Martin-ish, but I've loved them since the DB2/4

 

I would never cut up a perfectly good front bumper

 

Everyone that installs a Greddy front mount intercooler has their bumper hacked up from the backside to get it to fit........

 

Tell me about it Rich, I had to hack my 99Spec bumper.

 

Looks like a Mustache.