Hi,

Stu & I were fitting a bunch of stuff to the car this Sunday, amongst which were the Forge FMIC and we were hoping to fit the Alu Sump Guard.

I've noticed the group buy is re-opening potentially on this as well, for those who were still looking for one

I spotted Black Magic's post with a bunch of pics here

We did not bother cutting the bracket / fitting it this time around, due to lack of time and it not fitting at all.

However for the new GB would it be worth modifying the bracket so it goes around in a different way on the driver side of the car?

Basically the problem is that the corner goes up a bit like:

----*

---*

--*

*

*

*

*

If instead it did

****

*

*

*

*

*

*

that kinda shape, it would probably fit. Although the hacking etc will probably work, the strength of that corner is significantly reduced by removing the little piece out of the triangle.

@BlackMagic in case you read this, was it literally 'take the triangle out and bend it round first, then round out the metal even more around the FMIC pipework?

As the strength of the undertray depends on the support bar I am just concerned it would make it less strong and thus negate the whole concept.

Your comments and/or pics would be appreciated :D

I sold mine on.... My mate's a mechanic with decent "adaption" skills, and even he couldn't see how to do it. Different FMIC of course, which might be a factor...

We didn't think it would fit in any way when we looked, we were mindful of the previos postings saying it was possible but we thought it would severly reduce the rigidity of the bracket.

That's not to say it can't be done but it's also important to remember that the position of the pipework of the FMIC may vary between installations.

After my crash test, (log) I can say all the bracket does is stop the thing falling down.

The load ( if applied by said log or other object) is evenly spread throught the sump guard reacting with the chassis legs etc.

Hope this helps.

If I can I'll try and get a few more photos for you.

Yeah that would be kinda cool - Stu & I really had a good look and the upstanding bit at the driver side just didnt have a hope of getting past, it went straight 'through' one of the pipes, pretty much dead-centre IIRC.

We were running out of light at this point as well but it definitely wasn't looking too promising.

Did you get the Allard FMIC then ?

Thanks

Jason has the Allard one, I have the Forge one.

Hmm - now I'm a little surprised :eek:

Mine's the Forge one too, but one subtle difference that may be worth noting (just to see if it's different).

The Forge pic has the bend with sensor presumably (?) basically at the front, horizontally. The pipes on the car appeared to be vertical at that point.

If you could take some more pics that would be excellent, especially as seen from the left front as seen standing in front of the car, and probably a couple from underneath.

I got my Forge FMIC on the GB at the time, with black hoses.

Thanks again

The sump bracket clashed with the horizontal return pipe, not the vertical one. Will try and take pictures Wednesday.

Guys...

If we're going to do another GB, I'd like someone with a Fabia AND a FMIC who lives in or around Cambridge to leave their car with the fabricators for a few days if possible, so they can get it bang on 100%.

@Josh -

I could certainly drive to Cambridge, FMIC is fitted already. As the bits are currently in Fareham would I need to bring along the existing stuff or would they be able to sort things out without it?

Due to work etc I won't be able to leave my car there but I could drive down in the morning, get there early and return back home at night. If there isn't too much pressure on days etc that should be fine.

Personally I reckon it could be done like this:

Day 1:

Go in, drop std tray & bumper for easy access.

Measure it up, fabricate a cardboard version from existing drawing for the bar/bracket. Use more cardboard to make up a bracket to clear the Forge FMIC pipework.

Depending on fabrication time etc, perhaps weld up a prototype to see if it will be ok.

Assuming it's ok, take proper measurements and build the real thing/proper prototype.

I would be surprised if it takes more than a few hours to do this if they do the work on-site, as the most challenging part would have been to get the undertray + bracket done initially, this is merely a modification.

Also I would suggest that once the prototype is made I take it to someone who has the standard SMIC and try to ensure it fits that still, which might make it a universal bracket, potential for bigger batches at lower cost to them.

Day 2:

If strictly required could come back to trial-fit a production one.

Drop us a PM and we'll have a chat

I agree, if they are ready to see you on the day you arrive with a bracket partially fabricated for the unaffected side it wouldn't take a lot to sort out the offending bracket.

Once complete the revised bracket could be sent mail order.