OEM Style Rear Bumper Delete Completed

[Shadowman]

I hope that my posing the following question does not offend anybody on this Forum. I chatted with Rich about this solicitation earlier today and he shared that he has asked for the GT Guys to become a recognized vendor however the process to do so has been slow.

Now before I begin my musings; are there folks interested in having the GT Guys back in Northern California to have their gals tended too; pulley swap, exhaust, half shaft bolt service, the “Big Whipple” install, or even the project described below?

Well here I go with what I consider to be yet another very cool and “completely reversible” tweak for these gals.

After several lengthy conversations over the last few months with Rich aka TheGTGuys.com the decision was made by them to product a true rear bumper delete system for these gals.

Many months ago I looked at the conversion as shown on their web site and said “WOW” she looks “HOT” however I did not like the fact that the lower rear screens were the OEM multi piece design rather than a single piece screen. Rich and I chatted about this and he quickly shared that the original conversion was completed by modifying the original screens as what they expected would be a true one off project. Now FYI; the only purpose the two piece design lower screen design serves is for ease of installation with the rear bumper in place so having shared this I felt and still feel that having the two piece lower screens remain after doing a rear bumper delete looked funny; it appeared as a conversion rather than an initial concept followed to term..

Now a couple months later the perfect system has been completed and now uses a one piece OEM style fit and finished lower rear screen. The first system is having the final painting and powder coating completed at this time so as to make ready for installation on my gal.

I share all of this because many have made mention to me that she looks fricken hot (and I completely agree) however once the rear bumper is removed she will have the ass of a thoroughbred and she will be even more reminiscent of the “Glory Days” from which these gals came.

FYI; the conversion process is painless and uses a pair of modified OEM rear frame rail extensions. It is important to share that these extensions serve only two purposes; the mounting point for the rear clam shell and for the rear bumper to hang off. Furthermore these rear frame extension are a simple bolt on piece akin to a typical bumper extension system used by many OEM manufactures and furthermore the modification made causes “NO” structural changes to these gals; it is strictly cosmetic. In my case the OEM extensions will be simply unbolted and then they along with the rear bumper assembly will be removed and then hung in my facility just in case the day comes that the desire to bolt the bumper back in place comes back. In addition to this all of the OEM pieces such as frame rail heat shields, clam shell mounting, etc will be retained as OEM; there are no modification made. The only thing removed will be the rear bumper and then the OEM two piece lower screens will be replaced with a single screen that mounts as OEM using the same OEM clips and fasteners. As the result of the one pieced lower screen there are two additional TORX screws (one on each side) added which secure as OEM into an existing OEM hole on the modified extension with an OEM style Riv-Nut insert. As can be seen in the attached photo, once in place she appears as OEM.

Now keep in mind that this picture was taken of the gal used during the design, fabrication, and final fit stages so none of the finish work has been completed; meaning that the final painting and powder coating had not been done.

Rich aka TheGTGuy.com are going to offer this system with a complete set of rear OEM screens (meaning the 3 that surround the license plate area) along with the new one piece lower screen all powder coated at the same time so that the color and texture of the screens all match perfectly. In addition there will be a pair of OEM rear frame rail extension that have been modified and then painted along with the miscellaneous hardware (which there are only a couple small bolts needed) because all of the OEM hardware removed will simply be reused during the installation process. Now for those that do not care to retain their old pieces (specifically the 3 screens located around the license plate and the frame rail extensions) a core exchange program has been put into place as well thus significantly reducing the price of the conversion process.

So now back to my original question; are there folks with interest in having the GT Guys massage your gal in Northern California? I ask because we have discussed the idea of having them come out and complete the rear bumper delete on my gal along with a few other tweaks. If this were to happen I have offered my facility as a meeting point for others to have work completed on their gal(s) as well.

All the best

Regards

Shadowman

 

[BlackICE]

Shadowman, I am not decided on the bumper delete yet. I would also have to get my Heffner exhaust tips cut back to match then. The GT Guys are great and I may have other stuff I need to get done. Where and when in Northern CA?

 

[Shadowman]

Shadowman, I am not decided on the bumper delete yet. I would also have to get my Heffner exhaust tips cut back to match then. The GT Guys are great and I may have other stuff I need to get done. Where and when in Northern CA?

I completely understand your comment about the exhaust having to be cut. As it is the exhaust shown in the picture has not been cut yet. To produce the final OEM look of the days gone past the tips would need to be straight rather than hash cut.

Regardless; she sure looks sweet once completed, then add to this the fact that it is only a painless few hours of work and completely reversible in a like amount of time.

Now as for location and date; truly we just chatted about this earlier today so the goal is to see who else (such as you) have items that they would like tended to and then a date can be set. As for location; for a reference the big spot on the map is Sacramento and then the facility is only a very short drive from there.

Takes care

Shadowman

 

[Mark O]

I like the idea of getting rid of the rear bumper, however, it looks like leaves too much grille back there. Got another picture from a different angle & from farther away that you can post?

 

[Shadowman]

I like the idea of getting rid of the rear bumper, however, it looks like leaves too much grille back there. Got another picture from a different angle & from farther away that you can post?

This is an interesting comment; the grill area is not changed and yet I understand that with the bumpper removed it is more apparent. Keep in mind that the exhaust with heavy emphasis on the cats are down low and the air stream around them is then rounted directly out the back so one would not want that area solid. If made solid it would likely create a pressure area and the air would no longer flow through but rather cycle around within the engine bay.

Here is a picture of the first gal that was completed however this was done using the modified OEM two piece screens.

Certainly this is a subjective comment and yet I think it makes the ass of the gal look fricken "AWESOME"

Takes care

Shadowman

 

[BlackICE]

In my opinion it would look better if the top half of the grill was painted to match the body color and stripe.

 

[abolfaz]

It doesn't look right IMO. There was another bumper delete on a red car (board member I think) that was spot on.

 

[Kave]

You guys should definately look into getting the carbon fiber under carriage ala f430 from gennadi. With the bumper delete it looks sick.

 

[Shadowman]

It doesn't look right IMO. There was another bumper delete on a red car (board member I think) that was spot on.

There are flow dynamics that are required for the ass of these gals as such IMO one could not seal her ass off and not have significant issues.

Here is the only red GT that I am able to associate with your comment; it too uses the OEM design however with the OEM 2 piece lower grills when compared to the new OEM style 1 piece lower grill design

She looks HOT too.

Takes care

Shadowman

 

[abolfaz]

I was referring to the GTX1 rear bumper delete.

 

[abolfaz]

Here it is:

http://www.gtx1.com/images/gallery/IMG_3433.JPG

 

[Shadowman]

I was referring to the GTX1 rear bumper delete.

10-4

Shadowman

 

[abolfaz]

10-4

Shadowman

Anything along those lines? The body color filler ties everything up nicely although yours is probably more functional for cooling.

 

[Shadowman]

Here it is:

http://www.gtx1.com/images/gallery/IMG_3433.JPG

Now on this the issue remains very subjective;

As much as I think that the GTX1 rear bumper delete looks finished, the style is not my "Cup-O-Joe".

The GTX1 looks to refined and alters the look of the gal's ass for me whereas the conversion process as enjoyed by others to date using the OEM rear screens retains the race car look and frankly looks as though it could have been this way in the 60's; as stated the GTX1 looks a bit too polished for my taste. Furthermore the GTX1 exhaust appears to pop out of no where and then add to this the upper surround that wraps the exhaust detracts from the smooth cuved lines of the gals rear end. The only thing that I did not like about the conversions to date was the use of the OEM multi piece screens whereas as with a OEM style one piece screen they will look even better.

Race cars of the 60's often had huge screens across their ass for the same reason that the present day GT does; proper unobstructed air flow.

Now having shared this I recognize very well that the team at GTX do great work and bring wonderful things to this Forum so please do not take my comment as critical but rather as simply one persons opinion.

Regards

Shadowman

 

[FlorIdaho Chris]

I have heard and/or read somewhere that the bumper actually adds some structural integrity to the GT's frame. Has anyone else heard this?

I love the look of the deleted bumper, just wonder about structure.

 

[isaakgt]

I would be interested in having Rich & crew do a service on my car. Sac would be a great location.:thumbsup

 

[B O N Y]

I have heard and/or read somewhere that the bumper actually adds some structural integrity to the GT's frame. Has anyone else heard this?

I love the look of the deleted bumper, just wonder about structure.

so have I, I think we may have been together at Saleen when this topic was brought up during the plant tour. need more info.

 

[B O N Y]

Yes, if the modification does not effect the structural integrity of the car.
How are we going to get the removed bumpers back home, in my case Fresno?
What dates do you have in mind Bill?


Any chance to get a Mac relocation done at the same time, I never bought a kit?

 

[MWG]

I'm not interested in the bumper delete, but would be interested in having the other work done while they're in California.

 

[Shadowman]

I have heard and/or read somewhere that the bumper actually adds some structural integrity to the GT's frame. Has anyone else heard this?

I love the look of the deleted bumper, just wonder about structure.

Hi Chris;

Great question.

I too questioned this at the onset and then after speaking with numerous folks including Rich aka The GT Guys I remain convinced that there is zero structural concerns with the removal of the rear bumper. I also looked very closely at the way the rear bumper is installed and how the aka frame rail extensions are installed and used as such I concur.

If you look closely at your gal you will clearly see that the frame stops at the uprights and then there are two extensions that serve no purpose other than the mounting point for the clamshell uprights and then the rear bumper itself.

The gals sure look nice with their ass clearly hanging out

All the best

Shadowman