Should I dump the factory ground effects? - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

I need to get the car into the body shop to repair the front/rear bumper damage from last November. It's being a pain to find bumpers which already have the effects installed on them. The last time the front bumper was repaired they bought new fascia's but they didn't install them straight - probably because the template was no longer available from GM. I plan to do a re-spray in the new imperial blue metallic, just not the jambs and engine bay, etc.

I like the look of lower clearance, but not the tacky add-on look. If it was a one piece look like Alan's front bumper I'd be alright with it... but I want the look to be seamless around the car... I don't want the botom of the wheel well at different heights fore/aft of the tire, for example. I would like the wheel wells to be wider so the tires didn't stick out when going straight.

Should I just cut my losses and remove all the Y3F parts? That's the rear 3-piece spoiler, rear fascia, 2-piece front fascia, side fascia's? Not sure if the side body moldings were part of RPO code. I'd only pursue this if I was doing a full re-paint. I haven't yet discussed this with the shop to see how much more I'd need to give them to clean this up.

JimMueller View Member Profile	Feb 21 2012, 01:03 AM Post #1
Experienced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 1,692 Joined: 15-February 04 From: Casselberry FL Member No.: 206	I need to get the car into the body shop to repair the front/rear bumper damage from last November. It's being a pain to find bumpers which already have the effects installed on them. The last time the front bumper was repaired they bought new fascia's but they didn't install them straight - probably because the template was no longer available from GM. I plan to do a re-spray in the new imperial blue metallic, just not the jambs and engine bay, etc. I like the look of lower clearance, but not the tacky add-on look. If it was a one piece look like Alan's front bumper I'd be alright with it... but I want the look to be seamless around the car... I don't want the botom of the wheel well at different heights fore/aft of the tire, for example. I would like the wheel wells to be wider so the tires didn't stick out when going straight. Should I just cut my losses and remove all the Y3F parts? That's the rear 3-piece spoiler, rear fascia, 2-piece front fascia, side fascia's? Not sure if the side body moldings were part of RPO code. I'd only pursue this if I was doing a full re-paint. I haven't yet discussed this with the shop to see how much more I'd need to give them to clean this up.

nape View Member Profile	Mar 13 2012, 12:44 AM Post #2
Veteran Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 2,511 Joined: 14-November 04 From: Homer Glen, IL Member No.: 540	Not sure if you can on a 4th gen, but unbolt the nose/fender brace and push the bumper cover/fender out more with angle AL. That ought to do a better job hiding the tire. As far as a material that doesn't change color when you rub it on stuff, you could try roll plastic from Coleman, but I'm not sure how long that would look nice on a street car. It picks up a lot of dings on track.