Anyone have any advice on reducing the weight of rubber bumpers? I was thinking the easiest way would be to
just to drill out sections of metal across the bumper. Any suggestions are much appreciated.

PS. Thanks for the forums, this site has been a great help.

Someone did this years ago. Used a drill & holesaws. It was a lot of work for little gain. These days a plasma cutter would be a better choice.

Found the thread:

http://www.mgexperience.net/phorum/read.php?1,456722,457737#msg-457737

He only lightened the front bumper by 5lbs.

I have considered making an aluminum frame to mount the rubber.

Or go fiberglass:

http://www.morspeedperformance.com/parts.cfm#anchor1

So then I guess the easiest and most effective way would be to convert to chrome bumpers huh?

Jim

Jim, converting to chrome bumpers or even clean bumperless isn't "easy" there's a bit of body work to take care of to make the job look right. It's easier if you're going to use a Sebring rear valance designed for the RB body. VB sells the extension between the tail light and the chrome bumper, but if you want the smooth look in steel you'll have to fab up the lower sections. Carl's information is great, but like Jim said if you want light you need to get rid of the RBs.

I agree, Bill.  Problem is I have been looking at this front end for 20 years, already. If I converted it to chrome bumper like my dad's '63, I would walk right by it in a parking lot, not even recognizing it as mine.

Throw 'em away. Put on chrome ones.

I'd like to see someone do a nice job of replacing the steel structure in the later-model bumpers with good lightweight fabrications (e.g. tubular steel, installed under the original rubber or under the morspeed fiberglass.)  

The early-model chrome bumpers are nice looking, but they can't take a hit. They're pretty much just cosmetic; they don't really protect the painted bodywork.

Carl, why don't you weld something together and show us how it's done? Take a lot of photos and we'll make an article about it. I bet you could shave forty or fifty pounds off the car while retaining the familiar rubber-bumper look  - and the weight savings would all be way out there at the ends, where it effects polar moment the most.

First thing i did with mine was throw them away, unless you use the car in situation where people shunt to park that what I'd recommend.

I fitted Sebring valances front and rear and it's completely changed the look of the car but you do have to be careful about where you park.




Kevin.

Morspeed!

More Morspeed - of course need to lower and get the 205/60 Sumitomo HTR 200 summer tires mounted that just arrived from the tire rack today!