View Single Post
Old 10-25-02, 3:17   #4 (permalink)
Mici
Boostaholic
  Total: 1226 Power: 5
 
Mici's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: On the Edge, Euroland
Age: 31
iTrader: (0)
EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BODY KITS!!!
~From Probetalk

Welcome to Body Kit 101:
So you want your car to look cooler well youve come to the right place. There are several kits out there but before we get to those there are several different things you need to know first.


Looks:
When you begin thinking about purchasing a kit you need to do some reaserch. Your off to a good start by reading this.

1) First search the pic post for some shots of the kit actually on a car. its gonna look differnt if you just see it sitting on a table in the shop.

2) Go outside and take a good look at you car. Think about how it will look on your car beacuse youre going to be investing a lot of time and money into this thing. So if you have any doubts this would be a good place to stop.

3) To each they're own. Just because one person says a kit looks bad doesnt mean everyone thinks the same. Sure theyre are some exceptions, but if you like it go for it. originality wins points in the end.

Fitment:
It doesnt matter where you buy it from you should go in expecting this. most places have a no return policy. if you plan on pulling a diy i suggest you have somebody around who knows bodywork. if not its best to take it to a reputable shop. just ask around in you poc forum or at your local performance shop. Its gonna cost more but you'll be happier with the finished product. if you know what youre doing to you.

Should you get a fit that fits well pat yourself on the back. You got lucky. If youre llike the rest of us and the thing doesnt fit you may have a long road ahead of you. The majority of fitment issues happen with fronts and sideskirts.

For bumpers:
Most of the time you may just need to sand off a small portion of something, or add a little fiberglass and bondo around the headlight area. The tabs that help you connect it to the body may need strengthening or may not be there at all. There are some extreme cases tho. For example, with Erebuni bodykits you have to trim or REMOVE the front reinforcement bar to get it to fit. This is a very extreme case tho so dont let it scare you.

Sideskirts:
Most of the problems ive heard of stem from having it be to thin. in this case just add a little fiberglass to the inside to strengthen it. Others it may just require some sanding to get it to fit correctly.

Hoods:
Often forgoten because theyre only two or three good looking ones out there. Not to many fitment issues either. mostly just sanding to fit. also not that only one hood i know of bolts to the hood hinges so you'll need hood locks to keep it down. Most hoods are also made in carbon fiber if you want looks and weight reduction.


Cost:
So you decided on what to get. Now comes the shopping around for the best price. First place id look is the for sale forum. there is always a chance you might be able to pick up a used one or never used one for a good price. BONUS if its used than it was already fitted to a car so you dont need to worry about it!!
Just because you have just enough money to get the kit doesnt mean its time to order yet. you need to consider other things in the price as well. Shipping for one can be brutal, if youre getting it done at a shop you need to worry about labor costs, if youre diy you'll need to have some extra to invest in bondo and fiberglass just incase the fitment is horrible, and after all this you still gotta get the damn things painted. so you should estimate about $200-$600 bones extra to get this done but it maybe less or maybe more it all depends.


Importfan/GTP International:
Dont be fooled theyre the same company.
DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THEM!!! Any the dozens of horror stories heard they are probably the worst people to deal with. Tales of horrible fitment or non-existent cutomer service give them several horrible marks against their record.

[CONTINUE BELOW]
|
|
V

Last edited by Ruubstr94Ls : 9-16-03 at 18:43.

Mazda MX-6 LS-T (working on a comeback for 2009)
Audi TT-R (Done that fun in the sun)
Toyota MR2 Spyder (project for my GF)
Aprilia RSV1000RR Factory (getting too little miles)
Mici is offline   Reply With Quote