Hey peeps,

When doing a FMIC conversion, Ive read that the stock bumper support beam / strut has to be removed or modified for the intercooler to fit.

When removing this from an MY05 WRX, can it just be unbolted and removed or is it a de-welding job? (A.K.A a cheap *** who cant weld but can do great things with a hacksaw lol!)

Any advice would be mucho appreciated.

M.

 

Interested in this also, as prob planning to do the same mod to my bug eye.

The supplier sent me a copy of the fitting instructions in advance and that makes it look like the beam is secured by 4 nuts and bolts. Removing the bumper involves unclipping it? Several clips along the top, 3 on the bottom and 2 at either sides)

 

Bumper beam is 4 bolts, yes, inside the engine bay, 17mm head.

 

When I fitted my FMIC the only thing I had to cut was the inside of the bumper. You must have one mahooooosive intercooler if you need to start cutting metalwork out.

 

The FMIC I have just fitted on my 2002 WRX required the bumper itself to be cut and the bumper support bracket to be removed and discarded.

It is quite a hefty piece of metalwork, just held on with four bolts.

The intercooler kit came with a replacement bracket which is pretty flimsy in comparison.

I didn't check whether I could cut and re-use the standard bracket but it would need attacking with an angle grinder to make much impact, I don't think a hacksaw would get you very far !

 

Thanks for your help everyone, got a better idea now of what to expect when taking the bumper off.