a very well executed modification, your attention to detail and the overall finish are excellent, well done:thumbup:

as you still have the majority of the crash bar at each side, covering the chassis ends, then it will still absorb the energy from a low speed impact, just as it was designed to do, the only issue is that the strength in the centre of the bar will be reduced meaning your gorgeous fmic will possibly pay the price:thumbdwn: the crash bar is only designed to absorb low impact crashes, say below 30mph, any higher speed crash will result in damage to the chassis legs, which are designed to crumple up to absorb the impact. i work in an accident repair shop, and have seen many damaged cars so in my opinion the crash bar will still do what it is designed to do, unless you hit a lampost/tree type obstacle dead centre, then it will offer little protection even at a low speed.

at the end of the day, everyone is entitled to mod their cars how they want, and even better is the fact we are all entitled to our own opinions and all have different ideas/tastes. if we all liked/did the same thing it would be rather boring. you can't beat a good debate! so top marks on the mod it looks brill:thumbup:

Thanks Guys, Most of the folks reading this mod will either already be thinking of doing it, done it already or just interested in what other people are doing to there cars and not be pushed into doing this just because I did it.

I just decided to show how the mod was done and what I decided to do. I am happy with it.

Thanks Guys, Most of the folks reading this mod will either already be thinking of doing it, done it already or just interested in what other people are doing to there cars and not be pushed into doing this just because I did it.

I just decided to show how the mod was done and what I decided to do. I am happy with it.

Another excellent documented mode mate.

I have already used your wishbone information to do my suspension and Im sure if anyone else is going to do the FMIC mode your info is spot on.

The FMIC is sweet mate, but then again Im bias as I have one too

If these guys did it the same way it must be good!!

What a superb well executed mod ,

I seem to remember in the distant mists of time that Ford Ecorts used to have stubby front bumper sections as standard (Escort Mexico?), anyway your documenting of the mods and attached superb pictures only reinforce an attention to detail not common in this day and age.

Regarding the vunerable centre area, what about a piece of marine grade stainless tubing,

flattened at each end and bolted to the bumper ends with high tensile steel bolts.

The idea being that air will flow round a circle easier than a square section, less turbulance, at the very least your I/C would get a little protection in a minor impact.

Best wishes

Peter

Haven't looked here for the last couple of weeks but nice to see your finished result Mark. Hope some of my advice was a little bit of use. The black mesh complements your milotec side grilles very well indeed! Will need to see the finished result in the flesh.

What a superb well executed mod ,

I seem to remember in the distant mists of time that Ford Ecorts used to have stubby front bumper sections as standard (Escort Mexico?), anyway your documenting of the mods and attached superb pictures only reinforce an attention to detail not common in this day and age.

Regarding the vunerable centre area, what about a piece of marine grade stainless tubing,

flattened at each end and bolted to the bumper ends with high tensile steel bolts.

The idea being that air will flow round a circle easier than a square section, less turbulance, at the very least your I/C would get a little protection in a minor impact.

Best wishes

Peter

Thanks Peter.

I had a number of said ford escort mexico's from Mk1 to Mk 2's and yep thay had quarter bumpers and not much in the way of engine bay protection, same as Lotus cortina's(which I still want one of those).

Haven't looked here for the last couple of weeks but nice to see your finished result Mark. Hope some of my advice was a little bit of use. The black mesh complements your milotec side grilles very well indeed! Will need to see the finished result in the flesh.

Cheers Lee, actually your info helped me to actually have a go in the first place. so I kind of knew what to do before i started.

Yep the mesh does compliment the milotec grills. I am now thinking of re fitting the front Milotec grill back on but think it is a little too fat so may mod that to thin it down a bit. Then the whole front end will have the same looking mesh.

Will be doing another RR day at JKM soon as interested in the REVO 2 map results. May see you there.

I am now thinking of re fitting the front Milotec grill back on but think it is a little too fat so may mod that to thin it down a bit. Then the whole front end will have the same looking mesh.

What about modding your existing OEM bonnet grille, I'm in agreement that the Milotec item doesn't fit the rest of the front end of the Octy? Don't know if you've inspected mine close up, but I've cut out and replaced the plastic vertical slats with the same stainless steel mesh I used to cover the FMIC opening. It's a bit of an involved job, but looking at the care you took with the bumper, it'll be no problem for you I'm sure. Again, you're welcome to have a look at mine

Like that?

did that one jus over 2 yr ago now, am doing one for Woo7dy. fitted hi the LCR splitter and the Milotec bumper grills. I am makin up another wi slightly diff mesh. either to sell or go on mine lol but not sure.

Yes mark lol Im tautin again lol.

Like that?

did that one jus over 2 yr ago now, am doing one for Woo7dy. fitted hi the LCR splitter and the Milotec bumper grills. I am makin up another wi slightly diff mesh. either to sell or go on mine lol but not sure.

Yes mark lol Im tautin again lol.

God I find myself starting to like that, wonder if you could do it with the milotec grill mesh .

Not sure if the size of the milotec mesh would cover behind the standard grill cut out aperture. May measure it tomorrow.

Got any better pics and guides Billy..Come on share it....

Then my front end would look more like the WRC pic above.

:orb_not_w Mate it looks oh so cool

how much did it cost you in the end with bits and pieces and sealents n stuff?

Id never have the guts to do that - shame :orb_blue:

it does look wicked mate, and a flawless job :orb_blow_

lol :orb_hypno you should hire out your services to brisk folk lol

Mate it looks oh so cool

how much did it cost you in the end with bits and pieces and sealents n stuff?

Id never have the guts to do that - shame

it does look wicked mate, and a flawless job

lol you should hire out your services to brisk folk lol

Hi Mate. Cheers for that.

To be honest it was not a dear mod. Only parts I bought to do it were the mesh at around £15 delivered and the Tiger seal sealant around £8 a tube.

The rest was time and perseverance.

not to mention the bottle to cut your car about :eek:

lol i'll wait for someoone like you to open a workshop and offer the service id cry if i took any sharp objects to my car.

it paid of tho mate, its def the neatest job of seen of it :thumbup:

the others ive seen are cool but that does seem madly spot on

good job due

good job are you a bodyshop kinda guy by trade or just a give it a go perfectionist

not to mention the bottle to cut your car about

lol i'll wait for someoone like you to open a workshop and offer the service id cry if i took any sharp objects to my car.

it paid of tho mate, its def the neatest job of seen of it

the others ive seen are cool but that does seem madly spot on

good job due

good job are you a bodyshop kinda guy by trade or just a give it a go perfectionist

Actually not a mechanic (well not a qualified one) just a enthusiast who has stripped apart most of his motorbikes and cars over the past 20 years.(owned around 8 motorbikes and 40+ cars):eek:

Having seen some bad jobs from so called quaified mechanics/body shop folks, I prefer to have a go at the job myself.

I also get a lot of achievement out of doing the job myself.

Did all the polishing of the alloy bits in the engine bay too.

If you don't have a go you will never know..

i take my hat of to you mate, fair play

and it looks awesome for it

top job

hmm the more i peek at this the more i like it

does anyone know any bodyshops that would do this to that standard?

ideally around the southwest,............

also does anyone have a pic of a red octy with this done? by anychance

hmm the more i peek at this the more i like it

does anyone know any bodyshops that would do this to that standard?

ideally around the southwest,............

also does anyone have a pic of a red octy with this done? by anychance

If you gave me your car for a couple of weekends I could have a go..

I take it you have a FMIC already:thumbup: or just wish the bumper mod??

ooooo that could be nice to know mate

better watch it or youll have a que lol

yeah i already got the forge fmic

i just keep wondering how it would look on the red

where did you get the 2 small grilles and the mesh for the big whole mate?:confused:

hmmm:rolleyes:

the 2 side ones are Milotec ones mate, and the centre is just some mesh off ebay or the stuff I got on my bonnet grill is ripspeed from halfords.

that middle bit is a bloody good match

that would be the stuff, just cant imagine it on a red octy :confused: looks amazing on silver tho :eek:

ooooo that could be nice to know mate

better watch it or youll have a que lol

yeah i already got the forge fmic

i just keep wondering how it would look on the red

where did you get the 2 small grilles and the mesh for the big whole mate?

hmmm

As Billy states the 2 small grills are Milotec ones that originally came with a the center grill to. You can get those from Butts of Bawtry here:

http://www.jhmbuttco.com/acatalog/octaviamilotec.pdf

The center mesh that I fitted I got from here:

GRILL BUMPER BLACK MESH SKODA FABIA OCTAVIA VRS SUPERB on eBay (end time 21-Oct-09 15:03:53 BST)

hmm the more i peek at this the more i like it

does anyone know any bodyshops that would do this to that standard?

ideally around the southwest,............

also does anyone have a pic of a red octy with this done? by anychance

Check out Delcac's Gallery shots he has a red Octy with the bumper mod

Picture010 - the gallery

Actually not a mechanic (well not a qualified one) just a enthusiast who has stripped apart most of his motorbikes and cars over the past 20 years.(owned around 8 motorbikes and 40+ cars):eek:

Having seen some bad jobs from so called quaified mechanics/body shop folks, I prefer to have a go at the job myself.

I also get a lot of achievement out of doing the job myself.

Did all the polishing of the alloy bits in the engine bay too.

If you don't have a go you will never know..

Was it a easy process polishing these bits? I have been trying to find a HOW TO! web site as i want to give it a go myself! im guessing the cam cover was a bit tricky.

Was it a easy process polishing these bits? I have been trying to find a HOW TO! web site as i want to give it a go myself! im guessing the cam cover was a bit tricky.

Not too bad at all really.

The inlet manifold I placed a cover over the engine and other items in the engine bay and took a drill and wire brush fitting to take off the high points and then used medium wet and dry with some wd40 and gradually went down to finner grades then when finnished that used alloy polish like autosol.

The cam cover is quite easy to take off a few bolts, coil packs and the earth wire from the leads to the coil packs. Need to remove the top cam belt cover clips or undo them, then the cover comes off easy. Then same process again as above for finnishing off.