2015 WRX - STI Front Lip Installation Guide

[NBRX]

Hey guys, back at it again.

This time I installed the Oem STi front Lip.
First & Foremost, Thank somebody for this awesome oem piece. It may cost more then a replica and other style front lips,but there's nothing quite like installing a lip knowing it will fit 100% perfect as intended.

Instructions to install the lip can be found here: http://www.subaruonlineparts.com/docs/E2410VA000.pdf


I don't think I'm alone,but I've always found DIY's with pictures to be a lot more helpful then the vague black & white instructions that manufactures usually supply. Hopefully you feel the same and put this DIY to good use.

*Some notes before we get started*

The Patterns included with your lip are meant to be used on a specific side of the car.When looking at the front of your car:
LH = Driver Side
RH= Passenger side

Also for this install I used the following tools:
-Drill
-Masking or Painters tape
-Phillips Head Screwdriver
-Flat Head Screwdriver
-Ratchet
-8mm socket
-Drill bits*
There's some good news and some bad news when it comes to drill bits.

*Bad news-The instructions say to use a 3mm,6mm,& 9.5mm drill bit.Like most people I only have a standard set and didn't really want to search every Home Depot,Sears and Lowes to purchase a metric bit set.

*Good news- I figured out what standard size bits will work perfectly for the install.

- 3 mm = 7/64
- 6 mm = 15/64
- 9.5 mm = 3/8

Let's get started...

Step 1: Get your vehicle safely onto some jack stands or Rhino ramps.


Step 2: It's time to get all the patterns lines up and taped down. Here's all the hardware and patterns for the driver side:


I started on the driver side edge ( LH Pattern E ) and made my way over to the passenger side ( RH patterns ) by making sure every pattern lined up to the edge of the bumper perfectly before I taped down into place.







*Note* Only the LH side to the middle of the bumper is showed in the pictures above. Just repeat on the other side when finished.

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

[NBRX]

Continued:

Step 3: Now that all the Patterns are lined up and taped down. It's time to do some drilling.


In order to eventually drill that 3/8 hole, we have to start small and work our way up.Hence,drilling with 7/64 first,15/64 second, then 3/8 last.

Starting with 7/64 we drilled all 14 holes:


Then again with 15/64's:


And one last time with 3/8's:


Debris:


Step 4: With all of the Holes drilled, the next step is to install all 14 of the Internally Threaded Rubber Plugs. It may seem like a tight fit at first ,but trust me thats how you want it. Simply squeeze the sides of the plugs while installing into the 3/8 hole you drilled.They will push flush with the bumper with a little pressure from pressing upwards with your fingers.



Step 5: Before we can install the actual lip,we have to remove 2 of the factory push clips. There’s one on each side of the front bumper by the wheel well.Just take a Flat head Screwdriver and pry down and it will pop right out. You can put these aside since they will not be used again. The Lip Kit comes with Longer versions of these clips to accommodate the lower hanging front lip...more on that in the next step.


Step 6: Its time to start securing the front lip to the bumper. It will help a lot during this step to have a extra set of hands. Take the lip and line it up to the bumper and use the longer push clips ( #5 in the subaru instructions) that I mentioned in the previous step and push the clip through the Lip hole into the factory hole you removed that clip from earlier. Repeat on other side.

The front Lip kit also comes with 2 shorter clips. These shorter clips will be pushed into the 2 holes punched out from the factory located in the center of the lip.I do not have a picture of these smaller clips for some reason but there listed on the subaru instructions as #7 clips.

*Note* Make sure the rubber strip that hugs and sits between the lip and front bumper corners arn't tucked or pinched at all. It should just be flat and unkinked.

Step 7: At this point the lip should be somewhat secured to the bumper. It’s now time to install Bolts & washers into the 14 threaded plastic plugs we installed during step 4.


Grab a ratchet with a 8mm socket connected and instal all 14 bolt/washers into the rubber plugs.Don't over tighten,just use common sense so you don’t crack a bumper or something.After the bolts/washers are fully threaded into the plugs,it shouldnt take more then a couple turns with the ratchet for it to be nice and snug.

Step 8: Step back and take a gander. Yes..yes that is your sexy ass car your staring at. Your 98% done at this point, Now Get the car off those jack stands/Rhino Ramps.*Note* If you use rhino ramps like I did,you will need some wood to place behind the tires so you do not scrape your new lip against the ramps. Yes, That 1” Drop totally just made it impossible to get off the ramps otherwise.

[NBRX]

Continued:



Step 9: With the car back on all four,jump inside and turn your steering wheel all the way to the left.


Once that's done, were going to drill and install the final clip (#6 in the subaru instructions).
This step we have to drill with 2 bits only, the 7/64, and 15/64***8230;.Again, 7/64, and 15/64 ONLY.


Once drilling is done,insert clip #6, repeat on other side,and you are done my friend.Done.ENJOY

[Ultimateone]

Awesome, you've been killing it with the DIY's! great thread.

[The_Magistrate]

Nice! Are you going to get the rest of the underbody kit?

[NBRX]

Originally Posted by The_Magistrate

Nice! Are you going to get the rest of the underbody kit?

Thought about it, but I'm not a huge fans of the side skirts. Getting the rear spats without the side skirts would look lame so I'm going to stick to just the front lip. It looks awesome.

[Wireeater]

Looks great and hopefully I can eventually justify the cost.

[NBRX]

Originally Posted by Wireeater

Looks great and hopefully I can eventually justify the cost.

It's worth every penny man . Huebreger subaru has the lip for $300 plus shipping.

My local dealer wanted $600 For the lip and installation. So I saved about $250 from buying it online and installing myself.

[moneymark]

Agreed. Great quality lip, super easy to install yourself and heuberger w/25% off is a great deal.

[aredub]

Sweet. Thanks for doing this! I will be using this when I do my front lip install. Thanks again!

[NBRX]

Originally Posted by aredub

Sweet. Thanks for doing this! I will be using this when I do my front lip install. Thanks again!

Awesome. Feel free to share pics if you want afterwards . Especially if your cars not wrb so people can maybe see what the lip looks like on different colors.

[Wireeater]

I bet that lip looks fantasical on white with the black accent...

[cmejatt]

thank you..

[NBRX]

Originally Posted by cmejatt

thank you..

no problemo

[TwobirdsRR]

Wow! Much Appreciated !

[jjunior887]

Originally Posted by Wireeater

I bet that lip looks fantasical on white with the black accent...

It's ok I guess..



It's actually kinda small compared to the '06-07 lip.

[Psykostevo]

Originally Posted by jjunior887

It's ok I guess.. It's actually kinda small compared to the '06-07 lip.

I think it's awfully small for $400-500. Not sure many people will notice it, and looks purely cosmetic.

I wonder how hard this would be to fab up something out of black plastic sheeting.

[cheapesogold]

Goodbye

[bunz559]

I hope to install mine as soon as i get it. This will come in handy! Thanks!

Parts are looking to restock on Friday so hopefully sometime next week I get mine.

[NBRX]

Congrats. If you run into any issues or have questions feel free to post up. I can always try to help


-NBRX

[bunz559]

You don't happen to have a writeup on the side skirts do you? I did a quick google search and didn't come up with anything. I've already received the skirts but waiting to install all in one.

[intence01]

FYI Hueberger is $300 + $90 shipping due to the size of the box. My local dealer had a coupon on their website, and it was slightly cheaper than buying from Hueberger, but more convenient to just get it locally.

This have been out of stock for a while, but it appears that certain regions have been restocked over the last week or so.

[NBRX]

No sorry, never purchased the side skirts. It should be easier of an install then the lip & that was pretty easy.

-NBRX

[bunz559]

Originally Posted by intence01

FYI Hueberger is $300 + $90 shipping due to the size of the box. My local dealer had a coupon on their website, and it was slightly cheaper than buying from Hueberger, but more convenient to just get it locally.

This have been out of stock for a while, but it appears that certain regions have been restocked over the last week or so.

I ordered mine through Subaru Genuine Parts. Heaberger wanted separate shipping charges for the skirts and front lip which was roughly around the same price you mentioned times 2. That would have put me well over the price of just ordering it through my local dealership. Subaru Genuine Parts gave me one price to ship both items which was roughly $80 bucks. Dimensional weight of 129lb which seems much more reasonable.

U're absolutely right about the restock. Few people have already received their front lips last week. Hopefully the next shipment, 1 will be mine. I received my skirts last week.

[NBRX]

You'll be very happy with it once you get it. The quality is top notch and much better then some aftermarket /replicas I've seen around.


-NBRX