97 Conversion. Absorber?
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: South Walton County, FL
97 Conversion. Absorber?
I've searched.... yes I know swapping the absorber is a part of the conversion, but who here has modified there 92-96 absorber and what did you do to make it work?
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 2
From: South Walton County, FL
Originally Posted by ChronoJ1
Isn't it just a block of styrofoam (sp?) ?
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,510
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From: South Walton County, FL
Originally Posted by MongooseGA
So is the 97+ absorber piece even necessary for the front end swap?
Originally Posted by BrownDuckz
I bought it anyway so there isn't any downtime.. I'm going to return it if we don't use it.
When are you putting the new bumper on? Will you upate the thread with the answer if no one else chimes in before?
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Originally Posted by MongooseGA
So is the 97+ absorber piece even necessary for the front end swap?
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Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 2
From: South Walton County, FL
Originally Posted by MongooseGA
When are you putting the new bumper on? Will you upate the thread with the answer if no one else chimes in before?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: The Shogun's Dojo
When we did Ted's (TechSC400) swap he didn't get a new absorber...I'm doing my 97 swap before X-mas and I'm not buying a new absorber. I don't think SC400Dude bought a new absorber either...it's one of those things where if you really want to buy a new one you can, but it's definitely not necessary for the front end.
If you do however want to get one just for shyts and giggles I've seen them go for as cheap as $15 on the net. Look around.
If you do however want to get one just for shyts and giggles I've seen them go for as cheap as $15 on the net. Look around.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 2
From: South Walton County, FL
Originally Posted by mikeloc24
When we did Ted's (TechSC400) swap he didn't get a new absorber...I'm doing my 97 swap before X-mas and I'm not buying a new absorber. I don't think SC400Dude bought a new absorber either...it's one of those things where if you really want to buy a new one you can, but it's definitely not necessary for the front end.
If you do however want to get one just for shyts and giggles I've seen them go for as cheap as $15 on the net. Look around.
If you do however want to get one just for shyts and giggles I've seen them go for as cheap as $15 on the net. Look around.
97 absorber
Hey Mike! Cool! you are doing a 97+ upgrade. Let me know if you have any questions. 
When I did my front bumper upgrade from 95 to 97, I used a new 97 absorber (around $40).
Both 95 and 97 absorbers are made with same materrial (Styrofoam). (Pretty strong though)
The difference is the top part.
As you know 97+ front bumper has an open grill slot right below the L-emblem.
The pre 97 bumper does not have this opening.
Because of this grill opening, 97+ absorber is shorter than pre 97 ones for clearing this grill opening.
If you use a pre 97 abosorber on 97+ bumper cover, it will block the grill opening and you will be able to see this white styrofoam from outside thru the grill opening.
You can try to cut a pre 97 absorber with a knife and use it.
For me it was not worth my time for $40 and I did not know what I was getting into.
If I will do it again, I will have a 97 absorber in hand and try to reuse pre 97 one by cutting it.
If I fail to cut it nicely, I will use 97.
If you see both pre97 and 97+ abosorber, you will understand what I am talking about.
Hope this help
When I did my front bumper upgrade from 95 to 97, I used a new 97 absorber (around $40).
Both 95 and 97 absorbers are made with same materrial (Styrofoam). (Pretty strong though)
The difference is the top part.
As you know 97+ front bumper has an open grill slot right below the L-emblem.
The pre 97 bumper does not have this opening.
Because of this grill opening, 97+ absorber is shorter than pre 97 ones for clearing this grill opening.
If you use a pre 97 abosorber on 97+ bumper cover, it will block the grill opening and you will be able to see this white styrofoam from outside thru the grill opening.
You can try to cut a pre 97 absorber with a knife and use it.
For me it was not worth my time for $40 and I did not know what I was getting into.
If I will do it again, I will have a 97 absorber in hand and try to reuse pre 97 one by cutting it.
If I fail to cut it nicely, I will use 97.
If you see both pre97 and 97+ abosorber, you will understand what I am talking about.
Hope this help
