Anyone have the definitive answers to how the Rotary Extreme 99 spec (no plate holder) bumper should be installed?
My body shop is installing it this week and they have some questions about the fitment around the stock front underpinnings.

I read some threads about the difficulties - but is there anything that I can put in there hands that will guide them to completion?

 

pm me....i have some tips for you.

 

I got Crispy's write up. Anyone else done this?

Thanks

 

tell them to close up shop if they cant figure it out

 

Thanks. That's helpful.

 

its just thats its so incredibly simple that a body shop sould be able to figure it out, its so simple I dont remember there being any issue with it all. I can see someone who doesnt do it all the time, but a shop?

 

have you done this fitment yourself? I wouldn't say it's that simple, especially if you want it to fit right and look right.

 

I guess your installing it on the stock rebar?? If so that's where some cutting needs to be done. Do a search....I remember a thread with some pics of a cut rebar.

 

I think the RE '99 bumpers have to be installed with the stock rebar since there is no plate holder. Doesn't the '99 spec rebar have the plate holder shape molded into it?

Anyway, I did a quick search and couldn't find the pics of the cut rebar. It shouldn't matter, it is REALLY simple to figure out where it needs to be cut. Trial and error is your friend...

 

Thanks guys.
Yes I am installing it on the stock rebar. I'm not the one doing the trial and error though - I'm paying for it. I would prefer to have some kind of info about the install to give to the shop so they don't have to reinvent the process. Pictures would be good. I PM'd and e-mailed Chuck and haven't heard back yet. He's usually pretty good at responding though. We'll get it figured out.

 

here is the thread
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showthread.php?t=427656

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...ighlight=rebar

 

Thank you 7racer! I should have searched for "rebar" like you did. Those aer the pics I need.
I bought the front from Chuck at Rotary Extreme. I didn't buy the oil cooler duct. Anyone think this will be a problem? Probably should have just bought stupid thing.

 

yes I installed it myself, it even came from Chuck, installed the 99 spec rebar though

he said they were asking about the underpinnings, those are really simple, maybe they are looking at it off the car and getting themselves worked up over nothing, once they put it on the car they will see it all comes together very easily.

 

Rob, I think he ment the stock rebar and not the 99 spec.

It's true that the 99 spec is just a plug and play with the 99 spec bumper, but as you can see from the link, if you want the stock rebar to fit you have to do some cutting that is not intuitive or reversible once you make the cuts.

 

Guys -
we are installing it on a rolling chassis that was missing the front bumper skin. The shop is trying to make a front without knowing what the original was bolted on like. I am going over there right now to look at what the chassis has on it.

 

so a pic of a FD without the front bumper on it might help then?
was it mangled in the front or just missing the bumper?

 

No it wasn't mangled. Just 'sans' bumper

I went there today armed with the pictures taken by FDeez (thanks 7Racer) to show them the 'proper install'. They had already done it (trial and error). In my search for the correct way to install I cam across two different ways. The attached picture is from Chuck at Rotary Extreme. He sent it to me and said the following:

"I do not have any write up. Sorry.

You can use the aluminum brackets from the stock bumper. Use the ones on the side. They do not have to bolt onto the bumper. The function of it is for the bumper to be sandwiched between the fender and the aluminum brackets.

The undertray will fit. When I was doing the test fitting, I use it with the stock undertray.

You have to also sand down the reinfocement bar a little on the top to clear the bumper."

So for anyone that searches for this information again, they'll have a choice. Cut the reinforcement completely (ala Rotary Extreme) or get more precise like 7Racer.
My shop ended up doing it Chuck's way. It looked pretty good actually - but there might be some depressions in the areas left and right of center. I am considering using expanding foam to take up that space, but I am aware that it does not tolerate weather exposure well without being painted. My car is strictly fair weather, so I'm not too concerned.

I'll post pics to complete the story.

 

whoa didnt take long haha...my thoughts exactly

seriously, this is such and easy install its not even funny. i did used to do bodywork, but anyone should be able to figure it out.

but theres been some good write ups ive seen around here...

 

where did you end up getting all the metal that bolts to it?
was there a donor bumper to get all that crap from?

 

I had a donor bumper but the brackets were damaged. I called Malloy yesterday and Ray is sending the two small brackets (one for each side) that are necessary. $18.00 each.

 

My bodyshop, who did someone elses at the same time, and is one of the areas best and most experienced with aftermarket kits cursed and swore he'd never do another one of these things, because it isn't worth the money to get it right. My install was $800 w/ paint, and that was with a discount.

The thing had to be repeatedly fillered and block sanded because it was wavy, and certainly doesn't fit like a factory part... particularly around the headlights.. the gap there is almost 1/2" and I had to shove something under it because it was sagging 1/2" under the headlight cover. I'd enlarge you rebar holes rather than cutting them off, so you have something under there to do this with. If you cinch it up tight against the fender, it will overhang into the wheelwell, so he sort of split the difference. He aslso found it too think to reuse the alluminum support.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I got it, and glad someone finally made a urathane piece, and it does look preety darn cool... but it is far from a factory-fitting super-simple bolt on.... if you want it to really look smooth and good... so just be prepared... its an aftermarket part, with all that that usually entails.

 

are you talking about a FG bumper? they are alot of work to get right, the urethane one is alot easier, about the same as a OEM bumper skin.

 

No Rob. It's the Rotary Extreme '99 Urethane Bumper with no plate holder.

 

My guy had done tons of OE, OE '99, and fiberglass '99's, and said just the opposite.

Once again. I love the piece, commend Chuck for producing them, and would buy one again knowing what I know now, but they are FAR from an OE bumper as far as fitment goes. Check out this thread to see what could happen if you just bolt the thing on:

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...3&page=1&pp=15

 

Im a little confused...............

If it's a professional shop they will have the body/collision manual available "on line". It shows all the parts (with P/N's). Plus how to remove & install them.
The RE bumper is a copy of the 99 OEM bumper, sans the plate holder. It mounts to all the same points, with all the stock hardware as the 93 bumper.

People keep saying to "cut" the plate holder off the 99 rebar. I used a sanding disc & got a smooth contour.

You either remove the tray from the 93 radiator shroud or get the 99 shroud.

Also get the oil cooler/brake duct corner plastic pieces. Otherwise you will be able to see the ground through the openings in the bumper (tacky)