Well as I stated a little while ago, the Forge Motorsport is installed. The install went smoothly and without a hitch.
As we have already discussed previously, the change to the unit was the removal of the air curtain around the unit. It was a problem to begin with and it needed to be trimmed for the bumper facia to be reinstalled.
With the removal of the air curtain, the temperature sensor needed a new home. In its normal location, you cannot install the FMIC. So, it needs to be cut off and repositioned after the FMIC is installed.
The sensor bracket is welded onto the collapsable bumper underside. So you have to cut it off and grind down the welds. I found the easiest way, was utilizing a Dremel Tool with a metal cutoff wheel and and small grind wheel. It's easy to handle and control. Cost is negligible as well.
Once the sensor mounting was removed, I needed to come up with an alternative method of remounting it back into the same location. After a little brainstorming (that's all I got at this age anyway), I need to come up with a bracket that could be sourced locally. Which could be quickly modified and was inexpensive. So, I made a short trip to the local hardware store and did some searching and came up with several alternatives.
First, thought was a rubber and steel well nut application and repurposing the OEM mount. However, this was going to be problem with the size of the hole needed in the bumper and most people don't have the required tooling to do the job. I wanted to make it removable, for any additional work that may have to be done. So, I looked for a preformed L-Bracket. I did find the necessary bracket but found it would take a bit of modification to accept the OEM sensor mounting. The bracket need to be shortened by about 1/2 inch on one end. Then a keyhole need to be cut into two of the existing holes to allow the plastic fastener to lock into place. Two holes, two positions.
Drill a couple of pilot hole where the original sensor mount was and utilize some self-tapping rubber sealed bolts. It's back in the same air stream as the OEM mount position and much cleaner than the OEM mounting. There's no change in its original location. The only problem was, I cut the keyhole in the wrong direction. So, I had to make another with a modification of turning the bracket around to clear the FMIC. Yes, even I mess up!! The sensor snaps back into the mount just like the original. So, no worries about it coming off and flopping around.
This is what I came up with in the beginning;
Iām going to provide Forge Motorsports a copy of the bracket, if we end up going this direction.
With this completed, I mounted the FMIC and hardware as the instructions suggested and started to modify them as well. I've got tons of photos of before during and after the mounting. So there will be no shortage of instructional photos available. I also found there is no need to remove the collapsible bumper either as suggested for the i30N. So, this make the FMIC install even easier. You can still remove it, if you think it will be easier for you to cut off the temp sensor bracket but not required.
All the hardware provided with the mount is excellent and the instructions are thorough. It's really about an hour and a half process from bumper fascia removal reinstall. If you are adept with a modicum of mechanical skills, it's moderately easy to understand and install. Nothing to fear or really mess up.
This will be a quick narrative of the install as Forge Motorsport has excellent instructions. I can elaborate on specific details for the install, to help make it go smoothly for all concerned.
On to the install;
Most of you know how to remove the bumper fascia already, so we can dispense with the removal instructions. Removal is straightforward and about a 10 minute process. Once the removal of the bumper fascia and under pan are complete, you'll get a look at the OEM air curtain ducting and FMIC.
The first thing you'll have to do is; remove the lower plastic Air Curtain from the OEM FMIC. There are four 10mm bolts holding it in place. The ducting will not be utilized again, with the installation of the Forge Motorsport FMIC. Remove it and lay it aside out of the way.
As we have already discussed previously, the change to the unit was the removal of the air curtain around the unit. It was a problem to begin with and it needed to be trimmed for the bumper facia to be reinstalled.
With the removal of the air curtain, the temperature sensor needed a new home. In its normal location, you cannot install the FMIC. So, it needs to be cut off and repositioned after the FMIC is installed.
The sensor bracket is welded onto the collapsable bumper underside. So you have to cut it off and grind down the welds. I found the easiest way, was utilizing a Dremel Tool with a metal cutoff wheel and and small grind wheel. It's easy to handle and control. Cost is negligible as well.
Once the sensor mounting was removed, I needed to come up with an alternative method of remounting it back into the same location. After a little brainstorming (that's all I got at this age anyway), I need to come up with a bracket that could be sourced locally. Which could be quickly modified and was inexpensive. So, I made a short trip to the local hardware store and did some searching and came up with several alternatives.
First, thought was a rubber and steel well nut application and repurposing the OEM mount. However, this was going to be problem with the size of the hole needed in the bumper and most people don't have the required tooling to do the job. I wanted to make it removable, for any additional work that may have to be done. So, I looked for a preformed L-Bracket. I did find the necessary bracket but found it would take a bit of modification to accept the OEM sensor mounting. The bracket need to be shortened by about 1/2 inch on one end. Then a keyhole need to be cut into two of the existing holes to allow the plastic fastener to lock into place. Two holes, two positions.
Drill a couple of pilot hole where the original sensor mount was and utilize some self-tapping rubber sealed bolts. It's back in the same air stream as the OEM mount position and much cleaner than the OEM mounting. There's no change in its original location. The only problem was, I cut the keyhole in the wrong direction. So, I had to make another with a modification of turning the bracket around to clear the FMIC. Yes, even I mess up!! The sensor snaps back into the mount just like the original. So, no worries about it coming off and flopping around.
This is what I came up with in the beginning;
Iām going to provide Forge Motorsports a copy of the bracket, if we end up going this direction.
With this completed, I mounted the FMIC and hardware as the instructions suggested and started to modify them as well. I've got tons of photos of before during and after the mounting. So there will be no shortage of instructional photos available. I also found there is no need to remove the collapsible bumper either as suggested for the i30N. So, this make the FMIC install even easier. You can still remove it, if you think it will be easier for you to cut off the temp sensor bracket but not required.
All the hardware provided with the mount is excellent and the instructions are thorough. It's really about an hour and a half process from bumper fascia removal reinstall. If you are adept with a modicum of mechanical skills, it's moderately easy to understand and install. Nothing to fear or really mess up.
This will be a quick narrative of the install as Forge Motorsport has excellent instructions. I can elaborate on specific details for the install, to help make it go smoothly for all concerned.
On to the install;
Most of you know how to remove the bumper fascia already, so we can dispense with the removal instructions. Removal is straightforward and about a 10 minute process. Once the removal of the bumper fascia and under pan are complete, you'll get a look at the OEM air curtain ducting and FMIC.
The first thing you'll have to do is; remove the lower plastic Air Curtain from the OEM FMIC. There are four 10mm bolts holding it in place. The ducting will not be utilized again, with the installation of the Forge Motorsport FMIC. Remove it and lay it aside out of the way.
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