Rear Bumper Alum Replacement
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Car: 1982 Firebird T/A
Engine: 305
Rear Bumper Alum Replacement
Im about to take off my rear bumper and take some aluminum square frames from work and fab one up for weight reduction. my question is that if the rear bumper provides any "stability" for the subframe that it will want to flex? Good idea or band idea?
#2
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Re: Rear Bumper Alum Replacement
I'm guessing you mean the metal part. Let me preface this by saying I'm no expert and I assume no liability if you replace this part, but I would say in terms of providing stability to the unibody subframes I would say no, that piece probably has very little impact on keeping the subframes plumb and square.
However, in an accident I would say that even in the 80's, they probably engineered certain aspects impacting crumple zones and such. My concern would be the thickness of the aluminum you're using and also what you plan on using to fasten this piece. Aluminum isn't going to have the tensile strength of steel and while you're fine for daily driving, in an actual accident, that piece could fail quicker than a steel section. That is assuming your steel piece is in good shape and not rusted around the bolt holes. The aircraft industry has certain standards for fastening and material thickness when using aluminum. I would say researching those would be a good place to start if you're set on this course.
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Car: 1982 Camaro
Engine: 555 BBC
Transmission: TSI Glide
Axle/Gears: Aluminum Moser 3.89
Re: Rear Bumper Alum Replacement
Take measurements and have a 1 5/8ths chromoly tube bent up. You can even make it a bolt in deal with the 4 holes on each side. It will be light and have very good strength. I have done it to mine and it supports the rear cover well. The only thing I had to do was zip tie the bottom up so it doesn't flap around.
Last edited by 1BADRZ28; 06-30-2013 at 10:01 AM.
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Car: 1982 Firebird T/A
Engine: 305
Re: Rear Bumper Alum Replacement
Take measurements and have a 1 5/8ths chromoly tube bent up. You can even make it a bolt in deal with the 4 holes on each side. It will be light and have very good strength. I have done it to mine and it supports the rear cover well. The only thing I had to do was zip tie the bottom up so it doesn't flap around.
#6
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Re: Rear Bumper Alum Replacement
I made mine both front and rear with 1/2 inch aluminum channel stock and it has done a great job for the last few years and heavy abuse. With the rear unbolted it doesn'ts make much difference but I rode around for a day with the front crash bar disconnected and the car felt like a wet noddle in the corners.
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