I believe the OEM crash bar is designed to direct force around the front of the car and down the frame (i.e. the length of the car). Look at how and where it attaches. There is no doubt in my mind that an intercooler will not perform as well in a crash as the factory, engineered crash bar.

I have looked at it. That's why I think it'll function quite well as a crash beam. It mounts to the same locations, and the internal structure of the core is going to give it more intenal support than the OEM bar assuming that's just square aluminum. I haven't seen one cut open, so I can't say that for sure. Then the only difference would be the slight curve of the OE bar as compared to the flat IC, right?

Obviously we'll never know for sure since nobody's about to crash test these things.

Let's hope at least! :eek:

I think one potential issue is the fact that the ICs are a bunch of welds holding various parts together (end-tanks, core, etc), whereas the crash beam is a contiguous piece of metal. The welds are going to be the weak point in the ICs I suspect. As soon as one lets go, then the force vectoring of the IC in a crash would be toast. It's one of the primary reasons I elected the GTM kit, since it keeps the crash bar. Unfortunately, that decision hasn't really panned out.

That's the rub- how strong are those welds to the endtanks and mounting tabs. Looked plenty strong, but who the hell knows, and I'm not about to send it somewhere for a round of destructive testing to find out. I will say it weighs a freaking ton, so I have no doubt it will serve just fine in low to moderate speed collisions.

Sorry Sashsa for this thread jack...

However, weld material is always stronger than the base material (assuming the welder used the correct rod). When welding A992 (50ksi) material we call out a E70 rod which has a yield stregth of 70ksi, this is welding 101 and required by AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code. If a weld is done properly than the material around it will yield first. That's why all of us structural engineers prefer to weld everything. You basically weld it and forget about it.

You wouldn't have to crash test it. Just draw both in CAD and run an FEA analysis. The tabs on the intercooler won't transfer force to the frame anywhere near as well as the OEM crash bar does.

This has nothing to do with how strong the material is. The intercooler could be a two in thick plate of steel and still would get pushed into the engine that would get pushed into the bay, if it wasn't attached to the frame.

The crash bar designed and bolted to the frame. On impact that bar takes the energy and puts it to the frame of the car therefore consuming the energy around the driver. The frame is a thousand times stronger than any intercooler. The car frame is rigid and you keep your legs.

Not saying the IC wont help, but it will be of minimal help to your body at high speeds.

Ok..lets get back to turbos!! :tiphat:

Soooo....who's going to be next to join the BP family? Last post I saw Sasha was going to build 2-3 kits in the next couple months. Who's garage are they going to?

Ill be interested if he made 7AT kit.
Nothing wrong with my GTM kit and do not wanna sell it for anything else especially after I upgrade to GTX turbos 3 month ago.

But Iam a single turbo type guy :D

But the IC is bolted to the same framerails that the OE crash beam is. :confused: At least mine is.



Agreed.

Due to popular demand, I am building 5 kits right now. 4 are kind of already spoken for, and #5 will go on a local HR 350z as a part of test fitting.

In need to clone myself....maybe a couple of times. Time for a trip to GB I guess, and then I can check out the RH drive platforms at the same time.


On the crash bar part...I don't think the FMIC will be as strong as a properly designed/engineered structural OEM piece. I do plan to look at my options when it comes to this in the future.

Oh snap! I was unaware this kit is designed to bolt onto the frame. :wtf2:

Well in that case it would help much more than the usual top single bolt. But not "as good" as the oem bar. But still I would feel much better about this with that design.

Damn this kit! Why cant I find flaws!..lol :bowrofl:.. This is really an engineering marvel.

I've got a GTM kit, but every IC I've seen has used the same mounting locations. There really aren't many other places to bolt something big and heavy in the nose of the car.

Lots of setups use this style.

Yeah, that's not going to stop a wet fart.