Wide mouth bumper. A rough guide.

[joe_vrs_tdi]

After another topic i said i would get some pictures together from when i done my bumper. This is only a rough guide and you should do what work you feel comfortable doing and also may find a better and easier way of doing this mod.

First of all i removed the bumper following forges guide wich i found easy to follow.

http://www.forgemotorsport.com/media/FabiaVRS(1).pdf

Then i simply pulled out the slatted grill as its just push fitted to the lugs.

Next i removed the number plate surround by using a flat head screw driver to bend the clips holding it on from the inside of the bumper.

This is where the fun comes in. I used a combination of a hacksaw blade and stanley knife, I ended up mainly using the stanley knife in the end as it was quicker and easier to control i found. Again use what you feel comfortable and take your time.

Once the bulk is out I found the stanley very good to for the rest by going slow and taking my time.

You are now left with some of the mould expossed so these need triming off aswell (not the two larger pieces as they are the bumper mounts).

Still looking abit rough on there but now its all out of the way you can neaten up with the blade by taking it slow.

I then set about removing all the lugs from the bottom section, the stanley blade cuts through these with ease so be carefull.

It should be looking good enough now but i went over mine with the blade taking very fine shaving until i was happy, you could file or emery cloth if prefered but i found this the best way. Now you have your nice big hole ready for mesh.

I used tiger seal for my mesh and left about an inch extra at the bottom folded back for a good strong bond and left enough either side and on top for bonding. I also cut about an inch of the moulded line in the middle away to allow the mesh to sit better on the sides. Also i painted the bottom of the inside bumper satin black and hand painted over the sealent (easier if you use a black sealent first )for a better finish.

Refit your bumper and enjoy the new look.

I repeat again this is only a rough guide to how i done my conversion and some pictures for reference.

Myself and Briskoda are not responsible if you decide to follow this guide and make a mistake and damage yourself or your car.

I also know this is not to everyones tastes so if you do not like this mod please do not comment as this thread was made for others who are intrested in ways the wide mouth bumper was done. If you do have comments to how you done this in other ways please feel free .

[Titanium_Man]

Great and easy to follow guide there Joe

[Matt Dixon]

brilliant guide dude. many thanks

[vRS19TD]

Good guide.

What benefits are there to doing this?? I keep reading about the big mouth mod but no idea what it does.

[Titanium_Man]

Good guide.

What benefits are there to doing this?? I keep reading about the big mouth mod but no idea what it does.

It's to increase the airflow to the FMIC

[Dark_Hero]

It will allow more air to a front mount inter cooler. Looks a bit daft if you don't have an Fmic though

[vRS19TD]

Cheers guys.

I like the look but the FMIC is nearly 1/2 a months wages for me if the prices i've seen are right. :(

[Dark_Hero]

Yeah they're not the cheapest. But do look good

[joe_vrs_tdi]

And are very beneficial with other mods

[Stormchaser]

Looks great. They should have left the factory looking like this

[muppo2000]

Excellent guide Joe!! Looks really smart. I wouldn't mind having a go of this on mine... but will have to wait until I can do the FMIC conversion.

I was thinking of taking the mesh and spraying VRS onto it in a very slightly darker or lighter colour than the mesh itself??

Maybe I'll photoshop it to see what that would look like first though!!

Anyways... as I said, A very good and informative thread once again!!

Edited 28 January, 2013 by muppo2000

[pikachu24]

Great guide mate! should deffo be a sticky!

[joe_vrs_tdi]

Thanks everyone, I didnt think it was the best guide thats why i put it in this section but if the mods want to move it to the guide section please feel free.

[john999boy]

Don't forget to update your sig piccy now Joe!

[mikejay]

Wheres the crash bar mate?

[simmo3187]

Wheres the crash bar mate?

Attached to the car?

[Jamie24_vrs]

You take the crash bar off as the larger fmic doesnt fit with it attatched

[simmo3187]

Depends which one you get I suppose

[bowen]

What FMIC have you got joe?

Great guide!

[joe_vrs_tdi]

Don't forget to update your sig piccy now Joe!

Its not on the road yet so not able to take a nice picture of it yet.

Wheres the crash bar mate?

Half of it is in the bin. I cut it that much it was pointless so i kept the legs and welded some strengthening bars into them.

What FMIC have you got joe?

Great guide!

It is a mishimoto, pretty sure its there G line one. Took abit of work and have had to loose the main part of the crash bar but hopefully its worth it once it is up and running.

[DanGum]

great guide mate and looks very good. well done!

[MattH]

Great guide pal.

End product looks amazing!

[Guest BigJase88]

I would try and retain crash bar for crash purposes / insurance issues

Good guide

[Guest BigJase88]

You can drill holes in the stock crash bar to help airflow to cooler.

Still keeps a fair chunk of the crash bar, just an idea for anyone following the guide

[joe_vrs_tdi]

That bar will not save your life. I tryd an ibiza bar and could flex that by hand, granted the fabia bar is alot stronger but as soon as you start cutting it etc its so weak it might aswell not be there. It is a crash bar designed to protect the engine etc not you, have you ever seen a renault crash? The harder the front end the worse for you. The front end is heldmtogetha with the front anti rollmbar and a strut brace on top. I have been through this before, i know what im doing and i know the cons of it other wise i wouldnt of done it. Others have done it and found no difference even under track driving.