To cut, or not to cut?

4g63tcrazy · 12-31-2009

I did a photoshop of my bumper uncut and cut. I'm not sure on what to do.. If I cut it, I will get more flow to the radiator and eliminate the possibity of over heating. But it looks cleaner without it cut. What do you guys think?

UN-CUT:

CUT:

Clean look or mean look?

**Kracka** · 12-31-2009

A cut bumper can look very clean and aggressive IF cut properly, smoothed, then painted.

4g63tcrazy · 12-31-2009

I just picked up a bumper from GREASEMONKEY and I would be cutting it just like the photoshop. Then after having it cut, it would be painted. I cut my old bumper and it was pretty clean.

Forced Fed · 12-31-2009

Un-cut looks better but cut is gonna be better performance wise, so I would recommend cut.

Edit- Get rid of those fog lights while you are at it.

Constant_Project21 · 12-31-2009

I usually don't like the cut look, but that looks mean if that's what it will look like. I'd go with cut.

4g63tcrazy · 12-31-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forced Fed

Edit- Get rid of those fog lights while you are at it.

I just made a bracket for them last night to keep them haha. They're the main light for my car since my headlights don't pop up. Plus I think it just looks too plain without them.

CVD · 12-31-2009

I'm not sure the extra surface area is going to solve all your problems. I would start by making sure that all of the air coming in the front cant go anywhere but through the radiator by blocking areas where airflow can go around the IC and radiator. Then maybe vent the hood if you still have cooling issues.
Also your headlight intake probably isn't helping in the cooling department. By letting that air into the engine bay it's increasing the overall air pressure resulting in less air thru the front of the car.

So I would say uncut. Because if you are overheating, I don't think that will fix it.

Swifty1638 · 12-31-2009

Another option, one that I've been looking into, is holes. NOT circle holes, as those look tacky, but ones sorta like this:

You can also use really small vaccuum line, split it the long way, and then use it as trim once the hole, or bumper has been cut.

Forced Fed · 12-31-2009

Oooh, Thanks swifty, that reminds me of what I always planned on doing... Put about 5 circular cut outs to get more air-flow but this looks nice too.

twack · 12-31-2009

sorry swifty but i think it looks like a hitler mustache. The only problem i have with cut is that you better do a damn good cuttting job ive seen to many hack jobs, and i also worry about if the plastic will sag and distort over time. If it does that then it never looks good. Maybe make some good bracing for all of it so it can hold its shape

Constant_Project21 · 01-01-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forced Fed

Edit- Get rid of those fog lights while you are at it.

NO WAY!!!!! There's nothing better looking than a fully filled bumper imho. I think that looks awesome.

4g63tcrazy · 01-01-2010

There is no way I will be cutting holes in the front like that. I just don't like that look at all, although it would be very benificial. I'm leaning towards uncut right now. I wouldn't say I'm having cooling issues though. Once I removed the stock fan and put on this slim fan my coolant temps have been a bit higher than before. I guess I'll just have to add another fan!

Oh, and I did do the split vacuum line trick on the cut-out on my old bumper.

carltalon · 01-01-2010

Cutting mine hellped alot with cooling and intercooler efficency. I cut mine with rounded off corners for a little cleaner look IMO.

4g63tcrazy · 01-01-2010

Yea I remember seeing your car at the cookout. The only thing is, is that your front mount is about twice the size as mine haha. I am running the SBR 8" street kit. I was pondering the idea of trimming the under-part of the bumper. So it would leave a gap between the bumper and intercooler for air to get up and through.

jrohner · 01-01-2010

When I've seen your car, I've always liked the look of it EXCEPT for the cut bumper. An uncut one will improve the look of your car quite a bit.

**goodhart** · 01-01-2010

Uncut

4g63tcrazy · 01-01-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrohner

When I've seen your car, I've always liked the look of it EXCEPT for the cut bumper. An uncut one will improve the look of your car quite a bit.

Thanks! Yeah the cut-out I did didn't turn out as well as I wanted since the bumper started to warp on me..

Here is the plan as of now. I marked where I'm going to cut the bumper in red. It's just to give the air some room to go up and over the intercooler.

C3L1CA · 01-01-2010

I wouldn't cut it, your car looks mighty clean with it un-cut. I can see cutting it like you have outlined it red though, as long as you can't really see it.

4g63tcrazy · 01-01-2010

You won't be able to see that cut at all. It would look like a stock bumper. Unless you bent down and looked up.

311evo · 01-01-2010

Cut it.

Swifty, that looks like garbage. Don't do it.