dkfracing

I was hoping someone might know if the I could put a P5 front bumper on a Protege ES sedan of the same year. I know that the colors are diffrent but I was hoping that it would blot on.
Any help would be great.

Kincaid

Don't forget to replace the rebar to the P5/MP3 spec.

Fulminatus

Order the "mp3" version of the bumper so that it doesn't have the bumper markers on the side =)

Although if you don't get side skirts and a rear skirt, it might look kinda silly cuz the bottom of the car is not lined up well.

dkfracing

Thanks for the info guys, I called the dealer got some prices,but do I have to change the rebar or will it fit ok anyway. Any help would be nice.

Kincaid

The MP3 bumper is wider. It can't be mounted on the existing Protege sedan without modification. You have to get the MP3 rebar.

EDIT: oh yeah. And your front fender wells have to be replaced to accomodate the lower bumper.

dkfracing

I talk to Mazda and a couple of body shops and there might be a way around buying the rebar. If you fill just the part of the bumper where the rebar should be with expanding foam like the stuff they use for fiberglass molds, then sand out the size and shape of the bar it should work.

SedanMan

Let me know how it turns out.

Kincaid

Just don't let an insurance adjuster see it after an accident. You'll be screwed. Damage won't be covered as that modification won't be passed by the safety board.


Adn if you have any injury from an accident you won't get a thing.

dkfracing

That's not what the adjuster said, he said that as long as you don't modify the rebar then you're fine, it's no diffrent then putting on a aftermarket bumper. The only problem you could have is lower speed impacts i.e. shopping carts and parking lot bumps, they aren't sure how the bumper will responed, could be good could be bad.

Any ideas, lets hear them?

Kincaid

All I know is that for 125 CAD I can get the rebar.

So why risk doing something halfassed when you can do it right for a small price.

And your adjuster says it doesn't matter?? That's very odd. The bumper won't respond correctly in any front impacts with that foam behind it. Who knows how it'll end up affecting air bag sensors. And if they do go off due to that mod then it certainly won't be covered.

DanMan

Thats true and replacing bumpers and air bags will be a heafty punishment for your nickel pinching

Kincaid

Don't forget dash and steering wheel replacement.

As well as windshield replacement. As when the passenger airbag goes off the flap that releases hinges up and breaks the windshield.

Most vehicles with passenger airbags have this done to them. I'm sure it's a part scam. I notice in every vehicle I get into how the airbag covers are hinged. And most will break the windshield when deployed. Also I've been there, done that.


Overall it's a good $4000 CAD job or more. As each airbag is $1500, windshield is around 800. And the other costs.

Not a risk I'd be willing to take.