97 USDM Front Bumper Recommendations

[spratte]

Long-time lurker, first-time poster. Did some searching and couldn't find anything that seemed current for what I'm looking for advice on.

I'm not convinced that the OE bumper is salvageable on #57. A buddy of mine did a massive paint correction to get years of cone marks knocked off of it. Does anyone have recommendations on good replacements since OE is NLA?

Also, the OE front spoiler/lip is no longer intact—I have two eBay replicas, but open to suggestions if I'm replacing the bumper.

Given my situation, I'll probably go to a body shop to have anything painted and installed if it comes to that.

Pic for proof of life. That's the "good" side of the lip that's no longer on the car.

IMG_5465.jpeg (471.59 KiB) Viewed 1381 times

[coolhandluke]

#00057

Ouch, I see what you're saying on IRUNOEM's site as discontinued. RockAuto and other remanufactured sites also show out of stock. Used might be your best bet. I will ask around and try to assist.

The lip will have to be aftermarket. I would reach out to Heel Toe to ask the status on if/when they plan to reproduce the old Comptech Racing lips for '97's. Here is an example of another user asking for aftermarket fitment:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1348

[spratte]

Thanks for asking around. Also, thanks for pointing me at Heel Toe—I can spend a lot of money there.

[coolhandluke]

Thanks for asking around. Also, thanks for pointing me at Heel Toe—I can spend a lot of money there.

Marcus is a good guy & he's been around a long time. He also came out to Type R Expo West (2017) and enjoyed it so much Marcus has asked about sponsoring going forward.

[shuttlepilot]

Are you scrapping it because of the gouges? have you tried filling it with Fusor? It is the stuff they use for bumper repairs and is strong enough to stick to and join bumper material. It is not cheap, but is the stuff pros use to salvage bumpers and trim that is a bit torn.

You will want to use the 703 surface cleaner to clean off all wax and silicones. You will need to sand the area into a crosshatch pattern and then use adhesion promoter 602EZ. After that, you can apply Fusor 152/153 as the filler. You can reinforce the mounting points with polypropylene plastic strip or scrap bumper bonded with fusor and mesh.

Here is the stuff
https://www.lord.com/products-and-solut ... 8medium%29

Technical instructions here:
https://www.lord.com/sites/default/file ... airSOP.pdf

You can buy at JBtools
https://www.jbtools.com/lord-fusor-153- ... re-1-7-oz/

[spratte]

Thanks—great to have options. I will check in with a local body shop, being better informed is good.

Next up: The windshield that took a rock last week during a cruise.

[coolhandluke]

Are you scrapping it because of the gouges? have you tried filling it with Fusor? It is the stuff they use for bumper repairs and is strong enough to stick to and join bumper material. It is not cheap, but is the stuff pros use to salvage bumpers and trim that is a bit torn.

You will want to use the 703 surface cleaner to clean off all wax and silicones. You will need to sand the area into a crosshatch pattern and then use adhesion promoter 602EZ. After that, you can apply Fusor 152/153 as the filler. You can reinforce the mounting points with polypropylene plastic strip or scrap bumper bonded with fusor and mesh.

Here is the stuff
https://www.lord.com/products-and-solut ... 8medium%29

Technical instructions here:
https://www.lord.com/sites/default/file ... airSOP.pdf

You can buy at JBtools
https://www.jbtools.com/lord-fusor-153- ... re-1-7-oz/

Valuable information, thank you for contributing.

[Outrun]

Would be interested in the HeelToe lip. Not sure if Wings West still makes those (I heard they were the same mold) but I don't think they have the attachment tabs like OEM.

[coolhandluke]

Would be interested in the HeelToe lip. Not sure if Wings West still makes those (I heard they were the same mold) but I don't think they have the attachment tabs like OEM.

Keep bugging them. I'll note, the mold may have been tossed by Comptech. If so, one would need to be made off an existing 97 or original Comptech lip.

[Dc2-ProductionS]

So speaking to this, I have been working on a fix for this...

My friend has a higher mileage '97, but it is all original minus pass fender. I have convinced him to let me remove the lip, and take it to get a replica mold made to get them reproduced. It's going to cost me thousands of dollars to get the mold made, I understand. However, if I don't do it, I dont know who will.

I need a true OEM match for my '97, and if the last new in box one sold for $3,000 in minutes I think those who need it would pay $500-$1,000 for a exact match replica that is perfect fitment and has OEM mounting tabs.

I'm very close to getting this process started and will keep you guys in the loop as it progresses.