tubular front crash support

[ayousef]

I typed a long thread and my laptop decided to take a dump, so this one will be short.

Wanted someone to build me a tubular front crash support and found a forum member "unobtanium" who does some awesome stuff and voila!

Purposes are to allow as much airflow as possible to the radiator/ intercooler heat exchanger WITHOUT sacrificing on safety, infact this 2 inch tubular .120" wall 4130 Chromemoly crash support is superior in strength compared to the factory part. Not sure on the weight differences however?

[Batmanntexas]

Yes sir, that sure does look slick. Definitely frees up some area. It being made out of chromoly steel, should definitely be lighter than the factory piece, I would think.

[DarkCry956]

I'm interested in this if its lighter!

[blake-b]

Wouldn't the front fascia still block the area uncovered by the new crash bar? I don't see it making much, if any, difference. Please let us know if it does.

[Unobtainium]

Originally Posted by blake-b

Wouldn't the front fascia still block the area uncovered by the new crash bar? I don't see it making much, if any, difference. Please let us know if it does.

I thought the same until I looked at the bumper. The factory box structure blocks a bunch of the space in there. The factory structure is pretty thin, but it's basically 6"x3", so compared to a 2" tube, there is a huge difference in how the air flows up in behind. On a factory car, it might be less important, but with intercooler(s) tucked up in there, this allows the air to get up behind the fascia. Didn't get a chance to weigh them, the big 2" one felt a little lighter, but the black one is lighter for sure. It's only 1.625" x .083" 4130. Figured some might be looking for a weight advantage. I'd wager 1.25" would still offer some good protection and give a pretty nice weight reduction.
First time I had the bumper off of my car. Nice and easy. Building one of these for my turbo build guaranteed. Makes so much room in there.

[NEGXXIS]

Awesome job, I really like the new version

[Camper]

cost?

[grocerygetter]

how about cost on one of those for front and rear? unfinished is fine.

[Unobtainium]

Sorry guys, not a sales thread, and I'm not a sponsor.
Just chimed in because I got sent a link.
Glad you like them though.

[Unobtainium]

To answer the earlier questions on weight...
The factory front crash bar weighs 14.8lbs. The 2"4130 bar weighs 9.8lbs, and the 1.625"4130 bar weighs 6.25lbs. The 1.25"4130 (smallest I would go while maintaining any measure of safety) weighs 4.9 lbs.
Cheers,
Chris

[patternpilot]

Just my thoughts here, and I am sure the new part will provide better air flow but, the original GM part is made of a material closer to spring steel than it is to mild steel and the reason is to provide crash resistance. Your tube will kink in a collision and fold up. GM is using more and more of this special steel in the cars to provide more strength and less weight compared to the heavier material required to provide the same protection. I found some steel in the car that I could not cut with a reciprocating air saw. It just took the teeth right off the blade. Not minimizing your accomplishment, just want to start some thought amongst those who think this is the way to go in Lew of safety. Exclusive use on the drag strip is one thing, but to drive on the street is another. Again just my thoughts and congrats on being very inventive.

[Unobtainium]

Originally Posted by patternpilot

Just my thoughts here, and I am sure the new part will provide better air flow but, the original GM part is made of a material closer to spring steel than it is to mild steel and the reason is to provide crash resistance. Your tube will kink in a collision and fold up. GM is using more and more of this special steel in the cars to provide more strength and less weight compared to the heavier material required to provide the same protection. I found some steel in the car that I could not cut with a reciprocating air saw. It just took the teeth right off the blade. Not minimizing your accomplishment, just want to start some thought amongst those who think this is the way to go in Lew of safety. Exclusive use on the drag strip is one thing, but to drive on the street is another. Again just my thoughts and congrats on being very inventive.

I'm quite familiar with Docol and the other alloy steels used on the new cars. 4130 is relatively similar, just with less ductility as a rule. The smaller bars will fold up in a major collision, yes. The factory bar is built the way it is to absorb energy in the event of a crash. Absorbing energy saves lives. This has been proven through many tests, especially against the old boats with structures that passed all the energy into the passenger compartment.
I agree 100% that doing this mod is off-road only, but it will save weight and still offer a degree of protection not available without the bar there at all. The airflow advantage could be quite large also, so as usual it is a calculated trade-off.
the 2"bar shown clearcoated would not bend in the event of a collision as it's cross section, density, and strength far exceed any factory pieces on a vehicle. A tree or concrete barrier is a different story. It will exceed the factory bending strength without question.

[Unobtainium]

Rear bar weighs 27lbs factory, new tubular one weighs under 5lbs.
Total savings if front and back are swapped of 32lbs.

[chevyfan#1]

VERY COOL