Is this dangerous?!

Hi all.

I was wondering if it's dangerous or not to cut a hole in the portion of metal in the engine bay under which the stock airbox sits. I've seen this done a couple of times for various reasons and wondered if it was actually acceptable or if it can compromise the safety / rigidity of the chassis.

I've included a pic for reference (hope you don't mind, Davey001!) with the hole in question circled in green.

Any advice by knowledgeable members would be massively appreciated!

No its fine, done the same on mine to fit my air filter in the bumper.

looks fine, chop away

on some ic kits you have too aswell

I had mine the same when bpu and now I use it for a cold air feed for the twins. Will not cause any problems.

I use it for a cold air feed for the twins.

That's exactly what I wanted to do, hence why I asked, you see?!

JamieP, if you've done it on your beast of a car, I think I can feel pretty confident that it's okay to do!

Thanks all for the advice. I guess I'll get cutting sometime soon!

Okay then, one more thing: what's the best way of chopping a hole out myself? As in, what's the best tool for the job in this case?

Okay then, one more thing: what's the best way of chopping a hole out myself? As in, what's the best tool for the job in this case?

I used a plasma cutter.

house hold tin opener

if it can compromise the safety / rigidity of the chassis.

 

Just because a few have done this to their supras doesn't necessary answer your particular question.

Dont think anyone can provide you with a definite answer to this as doubt anyone has the resources or even the skill to.

Wrong. The resources and skill to crash test Supras abounds in this forum

Wrong. The resources and skill to crash test Supras abounds in this forum

If you were

a) blonde

b) 20-30

c) unmarried

d) female

I'd marry you

Safe on all 4 counts, but nonetheless concerned, please don't take this personally though....

Safe on all 4 counts, but nonetheless concerned, please don't take this personally though....

If you were

 

a) blonde

b) 20-30

c) unmarried

d) female

 

I'd marry you

She would enjoy bossing you around and dress you up in a skirt

She would enjoy bossing you around and dress you up in a skirt

He already does wear a skirt to do the house cleaning

Don't you Gav

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vng-lF2Ftl4&feature=related

He already does wear a skirt to do the house cleaning

Don't you Gav

"I want to break freee....."

"I want to break freee....."

hahahaha

Given the gauge of metal used in the chassis leg, I doubt that the thin steel used in that area has a significant role to play in the structural integrity of the car. If you want to play safe you could always have some thicker plate welded on to strengthen the area round the hole. I have a hole on the other side to maintain the flowing curve of my IC pipes up to my throttle body. It was cut out with a hole saw.

Given the gauge of metal used in the chassis leg, I doubt that the thin steel used in that area has a significant role to play in the structural integrity of the car. If you want to play safe you could always have some thicker plate welded on to strengthen the area round the hole. I have a hole on the other side to maintain the flowing curve of my IC pipes up to my throttle body. It was cut out with a hole saw.

Cool - that all sounds good. Thanks a lot for the advice!

have a look on a site like toolstation or screw fix they sell hole cutters that i use (electrician) and they go up to at least 120mm and they cut into that metal with ease

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Power+Tool+Accessories/Holesaws/d80/sd1530

I want a decent cold air feed to my airbox, Im guessing this wouldnt be a great idea with a sidemount though.

Any other suggestions to where the retrofitted air feed pipe could be ducted? Is there any room upfront?

Can't you modify a stock air box? N/A ones are easy to find and could be modded to suit?

I want a decent cold air feed to my airbox, Im guessing this wouldnt be a great idea with a sidemount though.

 

Any other suggestions to where the retrofitted air feed pipe could be ducted? Is there any room upfront?

I intend to cut the hole that's been discussed here and route some cold air ducting from the front bumper vent into the engine bay beneath my air filter, then build a custom heat shield around it all with some alloy sheeting from Paul Whiffin. That may work for you...?

have a look on a site like toolstation or screw fix they sell hole cutters that i use (electrician) and they go up to at least 120mm and they cut into that metal with ease

 

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Power+Tool+Accessories/Holesaws/d80/sd1530

Thanks, I'll check that out!