Bumper Swap on 98 OBS

slipnburn · 01-30-2006, 12:08 PM

Is there any way to swap the bumper from a bugeye to my 98 OBS? Is this physically impossible?

I am just trying to do something that I haven't really seen. If not, does anyone know where I can get a STI version 4 front bumper?

slip

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twizzstyle · 01-30-2006, 03:35 PM

Physically impossible. The GC bumper is flat all the way across, while the bugeye bumper has a circular cutout bit where the headlight is...

The V.4 bumper skin isn't very expensive from the dealer at all. But you will need to get a JDM or RS bumper beam (although the JDM beam isn't very safe, nor is hacking up your stock beam)

Handsdown · 01-30-2006, 03:58 PM

V4 skins are sold by US dealers? hot damn!(/skeptical sarcasm)

and you can make it fit, just like any bumper, but you'll have to get a body shop that's capable of cutting, glassing, and bolting everything together so it looks right... then you'll need to paint it... and all that custom work really is only going to last as long as the craftsmanship allows... which more often than not is not long.

my all-time biggest regret was ditching my cracked and bent stock front bumper for a replica fiberglass front bumper- it's a hassle, looks worse and worse everytime it gets hit and i would honestly rather be driving around in my busted stock bumper than the custom fitted replica. while some of these woes would be different with an OEM piece custom fitted, it would be way more work than it's worth.

source a v4 or v5 bumper (or a V6 but i'd recommend a V5 because they're plentiful stateside) and put that on, instead of the bugeye. you'd have to cut the contours of the bugeye, fiberglass in the proper fitting top section from your stock bumper, and then cut, trim, and bend the rest of the bugeye bumper to fit your beam and fenders. it would not be easy, it would be costly, and honestly i don't think it would look very good.

twizzstyle · 01-30-2006, 04:13 PM

Also have to take into account total widths, I'm not sure how the two cars compare (also, wagon/sedan bumpers are different for bugeyes)

And yes, US dealers can get you V.4 bumper skins, I think they're something like $70-90 or so? I don't quite remember. And from what I found searching on here, looks like it *may* fit on your OBS bumper beam, but don't quote me on that, cause I'm not sure.

01-30-2006, 12:08 PM	#1
slipnburn Scooby Newbie Member#: 38459 Join Date: Jun 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Fort Wayne, IN Vehicle: 98 OBS White	Bumper Swap on 98 OBS Is there any way to swap the bumper from a bugeye to my 98 OBS? Is this physically impossible? I am just trying to do something that I haven't really seen. If not, does anyone know where I can get a STI version 4 front bumper? slip * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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01-30-2006, 03:35 PM	#2
twizzstyle Scooby Guru Member#: 18941 Join Date: May 2002 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Kenmore, Washington Vehicle: 2005 Lotus Elise Orange	Physically impossible. The GC bumper is flat all the way across, while the bugeye bumper has a circular cutout bit where the headlight is... The V.4 bumper skin isn't very expensive from the dealer at all. But you will need to get a JDM or RS bumper beam (although the JDM beam isn't very safe, nor is hacking up your stock beam)

01-30-2006, 03:58 PM	#3
Handsdown Scooby Guru Member#: 29355 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: seattle Vehicle: 2003 GD6 Hate chall but i'mma maintain	V4 skins are sold by US dealers? hot damn!(/skeptical sarcasm) and you can make it fit, just like any bumper, but you'll have to get a body shop that's capable of cutting, glassing, and bolting everything together so it looks right... then you'll need to paint it... and all that custom work really is only going to last as long as the craftsmanship allows... which more often than not is not long. my all-time biggest regret was ditching my cracked and bent stock front bumper for a replica fiberglass front bumper- it's a hassle, looks worse and worse everytime it gets hit and i would honestly rather be driving around in my busted stock bumper than the custom fitted replica. while some of these woes would be different with an OEM piece custom fitted, it would be way more work than it's worth. source a v4 or v5 bumper (or a V6 but i'd recommend a V5 because they're plentiful stateside) and put that on, instead of the bugeye. you'd have to cut the contours of the bugeye, fiberglass in the proper fitting top section from your stock bumper, and then cut, trim, and bend the rest of the bugeye bumper to fit your beam and fenders. it would not be easy, it would be costly, and honestly i don't think it would look very good.

01-30-2006, 04:13 PM	#4
twizzstyle Scooby Guru Member#: 18941 Join Date: May 2002 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Kenmore, Washington Vehicle: 2005 Lotus Elise Orange	Also have to take into account total widths, I'm not sure how the two cars compare (also, wagon/sedan bumpers are different for bugeyes) And yes, US dealers can get you V.4 bumper skins, I think they're something like $70-90 or so? I don't quite remember. And from what I found searching on here, looks like it may fit on your OBS bumper beam, but don't quote me on that, cause I'm not sure.