Oswald Front Bumper Beam Installation With Pics (Walkthrough)

[rxer311]

I recently got around to installing my front bumper beam from Oswald Performance. http://www.oswaldperformance.com/ This is a very straightforward installation. This can be done in under 1 hour. This walkthrough corresponds with the 2006-07 model year Impreza.

Overview
The purpose of this modification is to remove weight from the front of your car. This is the description of the part from the website:

For those considering replacing their heavy stock front bumper beam with the lightweight JDM beam, now there is a better alternative. The Oswald Performance Front Bumper Beam is a direct replacement for the stock beam on your 2004 - 2007 WRX or STi. It weighs approximately 6 lbs (compared to 27.5 lbs for the USDM beam and 10.5 lbs for the JDM beam) and it offers more crash protection than the JDM beam which consists of a single steel tube. It also comes complete with a removable, red powdercoated, steel tow hook for track events (or any towing needs).

Dropping over 20 lbs from the very front of the WRX chassis has a very noticable effect on the car's handling performance. Understeer is reduced and turn-in is quicker and more precise. The car just feels more eager to change direction. Although less noticable, the weight reduction will also subtly increase the car's acceleration and decrease tire and brake wear.

Cost
$250 shipped from Oswald Performance

Required Tools
1. Flathead screwdriver
2. Stubby Phillips screwdriver
3. Trim Popper (optional...a screwdriver can be used)
4. Breaker Bar
5. 14mm Socket
6. 12mm Socket
7. Socket extension

PART 1
This installation can be done with the car on the ground, however, it is easier to reach all the required trim clips if the car is jacked up and put on jack stands in the front. After jacking the car up, pop the hood. This is what you will see:



Pop all of the trim clips (circled in orange) with a flathead screwdriver and a trim popper (if available). After the clips are all removed the three pieces of the upper grill need to be removed. All three pieces are held in with clips from behind that can be pulled straight out. If you have difficulty you may have to push in the clips with your flathead screwdriver. This is what you will see when the pieces are removed:



Remove the circled clip (1 on each side of the car).

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[rxer311]

There are still many more clips that need to be removed. The next set of clips is underneath the car on the bottom of the bumper cover.



There are six clips total (3 on each side).

The next set of clips is farther up inside the bottom of the bumper cover.



This clip is in the very middle of the bumper cover.



There are 2 clips (one on each side of the car) in these locations farther inboard of the 3 clips you had previously removed.

The final set of clips is in the wheel well.



This clip is different in that a phillips head screwdriver is needed to remove it. You will need a stubby to get to this clip.

Now all the clips have finally been removed. You are now ready to peel back the bumper cover. It simply snaps off when pulled. Grab the bumper cover from under the wheel well where you just removed the final clips. Give it a snug pull and it should pull right off. It snaps off around to the headlights. After one side is dislodged, repeat from the other side.



After all of the clips have been dislodged you can remove the front bumper cover.

[rxer311]

PART 2 - Bumper Beam Removal

When you remove the front bumper cover this is what you will see - the bumper beam with the stock energy absorber which is black in color. The energy absorber can be pulled straight off. Do not damage the piece as it will be reused with the Oswald beam. When that is removed you will see the exposed bumper beam.

There are 2 bolts and 2 nuts that need to be removed from each side of the bumper beam. (An impact wrench or air ratchet can be used)




The ones circled in red are 14mm and the one circled in green is a 12mm bolt. After all the nuts and bolts are removed from each side (8 total) the bumper beam can be pulled straight off.

Here is a picture of the stock bumper beam next to the Oswald Performance Road Race bumper beam.

[rxer311]

PART 3 - Oswald Road Race Bumper Beam Installation

The Oswald Performance beam is reinstalled using the stock hardware. Install the new bumper beam on the bolts that were holding on the stock bumper beam. Reinstall the 14mm nuts on these bolts that you had previously removed. Only 4 nuts (2 on each side) will be used to reinstall the Oswald Bumper Beam.



This is what the beam looks like installed:



After the bumper beam is installed, reinstall the stock energy absorber. It fits right on just as it did off of the stock beam. After the energy absorber is in place the bumper skin can be reinstalled. Replace all clips in reverse as how they were removed. These 2 clips are not reused:



Replace the upper grill pieces. Make sure everything is secure. This is what everything looks like when finished:



NOW GET OUT THERE AND AUTOCROSS!!!

This modification, along with a lightweight battery, will remove about 40lbs from the front of your car.

[disaster999]

seems like a pretty strong bumper beam. should be a good replacement for the stock

[rxer311]

It has been tested to be stronger than the JDM bumper beam. The good part is it is also lighter than the JDM beam.

[08redWRX]

Very nice. Now get the rear one and you'll save another 23lbs on top of the 40.

[rxer311]

Originally Posted by 08redWRX

Very nice. Now get the rear one and you'll save another 23lbs on top of the 40.

I am planning on it. I want to do the subframe first though. Saves another 14lbs and braces the frame.

[imprezaowner27]

i love how its two products in one...i love the included tow hook

but will this make your airbags not deploy?

just a question

[rxer311]

Originally Posted by imprezaowner27

i love how its two products in one...i love the included tow hook

but will this make your airbags not deploy?

just a question

This does not have anything to do with your airbags. They will still deploy as they were designed to do!

[DIRTWRX]

would this procedure be the same with the 02 wrx?

[rxer311]

Originally Posted by DIRTWRX

would this procedure be the same with the 02 wrx?

The beam is slightly different and the bumper skin is obviously different on the '02 than the '07. The proceedure would be basically the same, but the location of clips and bolts may be different.

[u2_m4r1n3]

I like this! I want one, lol. But they don't have it for the 09 yet

[rxer311]

Be his guinnea pig LOL. He is looking for development vehicles!

[u2_m4r1n3]

I'd love too.. but I live way too far!

[Le Saboteur]

Nice write up and even nicer bumper beam!

[rxer311]

Thanks!

[jaypt802]

perfect write up for people who need to remove the front bumpers on the hawkeye

[UFOpilot]

Originally Posted by imprezaowner27

i love how its two products in one...i love the included tow hook

but will this make your airbags not deploy?

just a question

The airbag sensors are in the rail, so the bumper doesn't affect it at all. That was my worry as I went with the 2.5 lb version, that offers 0 protection.

www.oswaldperformance.com Go Mickey, go.

[EdHilario]

Anyone do this on their 04-05 with a walkthru?

[rxer311]

Thanks for all of the advice UFO. These mods are well worth it.

[5spdfrk]

Nice write up and a great alternative!

[rxer311]

Originally Posted by 5spdfrk

Nice write up and a great alternative!

Its a great alternative considering a JDM beam is heavier and not as strong as the Oswald road race beam. Also a JDM beam costs $150 plus $85 for the energy absorber and then $60 for shipping from Japan. Thats $295! The Oswald beam is $250 shipped!

[UFOpilot]

Originally Posted by rxer311

Thanks for all of the advice UFO. These mods are well worth it.

Totally. That subframe will change your world my friend.

[rxer311]

If only I could convince my wife I NEED it...LOL