I have been getting a bunch of IM's and E-mails from people wanting info on my front bumper support that I had made for my car since the JDM front lacks it. So here's some info about it:

The body shop did a lot of custom welding and fabricating to make sure its factory strength and will pass all safety inspections. Once they were done with the work, they sent the bar away and had it inspected and tested for US/CA safety regulations. Why did they do all this? In my area cops are very smart. I have now been pulled over twice and was checked for impact bars because the cops know that JDM fronts don't come with them! Yeah crazy huh!

To my susprise it passed and got a rating of over 5mph which is actually stronger then the US stock supports. The weight of the bar is 12lbs and it cannot be removed for weight savings in a race, etc... because its welded to the brakets which the bar that supports the front bumper conencts too.
Over all I love the bar. Yeah its added weight, however not only does it protect my car in a accident , it also strengthens the chassis of car a bit since its mostly welded with few few bolt contacts.
Here's some pictures of the bar I took this weekened when I pulled the front off for cleaning:





Here's a link to the full size pictures: http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...3.jpg.orig.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...5.jpg.orig.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...6.jpg.orig.jpg

 

how much safer is it in a crash?

 

it depends on the crash I guess. My main thing was that I wanted to bar to work as well as or better if possible then the OEM US bumper support. In the case of an accident I would hate to have a messed up engine or frame because I have a JDM front on without a impact bar. In most low-mid speed accidents the bar does help a lot. Yeah it might not protect the car totally, however it will take most of or some of the blow of a hit rather then the blow going right to the engine, frame, or you for that matter.
But over all its just as good as or slightly stronger then the stock US bar.

 

how much and long of an install it is? i have my R in the shop right now i could call em and tell em to throw one of those on

 

it was a lot having it custom made by my body shop. The labor of putting it on is probally a few min since its just attaches to the car. However the only real cost was having it made since my body shops custom labor and fabrication is high.

Try printing out those picture and showing it to your body shop and see if they can have one made for you. I'm sure after they see the pictures they might have an idea in making it.