pod and front mount questions

[CerealKiller]

1. Pod filter question - I have an A'PEXi Power Intake and it bolts directly on to the R32 AFM. I have half the stock airbox still in the car as a sort of air guide. I want to build an aluminium airbox for it but the issue is that the pod sits too close to the intercooler pipes and stuff. How to I move it (or extend it) so that it sits closer to the headlight?

2. Front mount question - I installed a Blitz front mount (R32 GTS-t), and you know how there's that metal bumper bar thingy? Well that's kinda covering half of the front mount. Should I get rid of it or what? If I do how does the front bar sit on properly?

[CerealKiller]

anyone?

[riggaP]

2: Be careful when removing structural items from the front of the car. Even if the bar sits properly without it, minor collisions can cause massive $$$ to repair.

How much more power would you expect from removing this 'metal bar'? Is it really worth it?

[CerealKiller]

2: Be careful when removing structural items from the front of the car. Even if the bar sits properly without it, minor collisions can cause massive $$$ to repair.  

How much more power would you expect from removing this 'metal bar'? Is it really worth it?

don't know to be honest. It probably will make not a lot of difference but I'm more interested to see what other people (those with R32 GTS-t's and front mounts) have done

[Roy]

Do not remove the "metal bumper bar thingy" ... it is not only there for structural reasons, but also it helps support the front bumper bar.

What i did when fitting my front mount, is trim the front fascia of it using a cutting disc on an angle grinder (im not patient enough to use a hacksaw). Once you have cut the front section of the support (the bit perpindicular with the ground) then just give it a quick and nasty coat of primer to stop corrosion and bolt it back on.

In a frontal collision sure it will be weaker, but it gets most of its rigidity from the section of steel parallel with the ground

Quick but obvious mechanics lesson, grab a ruler, lay it flat, brace one end on the desk with your finger, then lift the other end...its lifts/bends easy. Now lay the ruler on its edge, again brace one end with your finger, then try to lift the other end and you have buckleys chance of bending the ruler. Basically things have different moments of inertia depending on what axis you try to bend them on.

So trimming the front/perpindicular to the ground face wont significantly weaken the support as it gets most of its rigidy from the top section which also acts to support the bumper bar. Dont forget that in the event of a front on collision/ even dead centre, it is pinned by 2 bolts either side to the chassis effectively keeping the support in tension for all minor collisions...if its a bigg'n then then she would buckle anyway...well thats my thinking

There is also the consideration that even if part of the intercooler is covered by the bumper support, it will in turn be covered by the front bumper itself, so may not make any difference unless you plan on further trimming the front bar (opening it up) or installing a different bar.