First post on this forum since joining!

Looking to buy an ITR and was just wondering what is involved in swapping the front end of a 1998 ITR (and later) to a 1997 front end?

I know the bumper and lights are different, but what else? The headlight surrounds etc.? Also are the rear bumpers and lights different too?

I know how most of you probably feel about ruining an original car, but I just figured I'd ask before I go searching to buy a car. I'm not a fan of the older look, and if it's A) Really hard or B) really expensive, then I'll just avoid 1997's altogether.

Either way, it WILL be CW!!!

Thanks.


Modified by TypeRdreamin at 9:53 PM 2/23/2005

 

just leave a 97 alone and buy a 98+ because 97's are rare so why screw one up?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Blind Fashion &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">just leave a 97 alone and buy a 98+ because 97's are rare so why screw one up?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I AGREE!!!! 97's are few and far between.

Aloha,
Brandon

 

Screw you guys, 98 is the best year USDM. CW and newer front end. Anyway, be helpful to the n00b.

That being said, I have no answers for you. Taillights are different. In the front, you should check if the headlights themselves are the same or not, you may need those too.

 

I would leave the 97 as is, but if you are going to change it anyways all you need is the headlights, bumper, corner lights, and lip. THe fenders and the hood are all the same. Look at spending at least 500 for the bumper and the headlights. Then juust buy an aftermarket type r lip, they fit great but they are just a pain in the *** to paint. It takes about 30 mins to switch everything.

 

plus rear bumper and taillights

97s are very rare so why would you want a 98 front end on it? if anything just buy a 98 type r and keep the 97 origional

 

Ill do a trade with you if you get a 1997 ITR. I have a 1997 ITR and it has a 2001 front and rear bumper on it. I bought it like that and want it back to the 1997. Its up to you and if you pm me or something i can walk into the garage and get you some pics if you want. The bumpers were put on a few months ago and i haven't been driving it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris F &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Screw you guys, 98 is the best year USDM. CW and newer front end. Anyway, be helpful to the n00b.

That being said, I have no answers for you. Taillights are different. In the front, you should check if the headlights themselves are the same or not, you may need those too.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Don't listen to Chris. If you get a 97 just leave it the way it is. I wouldn't change my front end for anything. Not even for a JDM Front.

 

Sound like a waste of time to me. My headlights in my '00 were no brighter than the ones in my '97 ITR.

Good luck finding a '97

 

I think the '97 style looks better anyway .

 

I'm with everyone else... don't mess with a car so rare! The '97s were the closest to the "real deal" ITR anyway. No rear wiper, A/C an option, and the ONLY year with the unique front and rear style.

 

if you were dumb enough to change the 97' front end to the 98' you dont deserve an R.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CleanShaven &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if you were dumb enough to change the 97' front end to the 98' you dont deserve an R.</TD></TR></TABLE>

And unfortunately for you, you can't do **** about it, other than give your stupid opinionated ******* statement over the internet.

I think you should only do it if you think it's worth it, and it makes you feel better about looking at your own car with a few miniscule differences that don't even affect its driveability.

It's money that could be spent elsewhere.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TypeRdreamin &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">98+ front on 97 ITR?</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TypeRdreamin &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">... what is involved in swapping the front end of a 1997 ITR to a 1998 (and later) front end?.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Which is it?
Just get a 94-97 Teg if you're looking for that kind of front end.

 

headlights, front bumper,lip,signal lighs are different, as well as the rear bumper, and taillights.

But why buy a 97, and waste the money converting it, when you can just buy a more common 98+?

 

unfortunately for you any enthusiast knows that 97's are a rare breed of their own and if you dont like em buy a 98-01 thats all.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CleanShaven &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">unfortunately for you any enthusiast knows that 97's are a rare breed of their own and if you dont like em buy a 98-01 thats all.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You do have a point, I just didn't like the way you came off up there.

With the extra money spent converting it, you could probably find a newer one.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Nameless RB26 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
With the extra money spent converting it, you could probably find a newer one.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree. If I had a 97 ITR I wouldn't change it. Well me, I'd probably still be after the JDM Front but still keep all the original OEM front end pieces just in case. Not many people would care, but to someone who does....if you were to sell your car to that person, and they did a vin number check and all that jazz, to find out that the original pieces are NOT on the car, you may not get what you want out of it. Some people are **** like that. But then again....some aren't.

 

i actually did the oposite. (97front end on my 98). my friend hated me when i sold him the car. but what can he complain. its still a R.


damit now i want it back.

 

I just realized (reread) the first post, he doesn't have a '97 yet.

Get the '98. Finding the front lip on the '98 is hard enough, on top of it you have to get all the other crap. Maybe you can sell your '97 front for a decent price, but just get the '98 if that's what floats your boat.

 

I figured I'd get the purist "hate" responses, but I totally understand your point of view. My current car is pretty rare and I hate seeing people mod the crap out of them... the original was best.

I'm not surprised that the front bumper etc. would be pretty expensive to buy, but I am surprised that some people have gone from new to old... maybe it'll grow on me in the future. Anyway, I don't actually have either one of these cars yet, so don't worry about me screwing around with them... the fact is, I've seen more 1997's available in my last couple of weeks of searching than anything else.

One of the 1997's has a "super-duper-aero-TypeR-groundeffects-style" bumper on the front and it looks hideous. Taking it off would be a priority. The older the car, the cheaper too, which is also why I've thought about it.

Anyone care to post some 97 front ends to make me appreciate?

 

http://www.phear7imports.net/g...eb2k5

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by esponet &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i actually did the oposite. (97front end on my 98). my friend hated me when i sold him the car. but what can he complain. its still a R.


damit now i want it back.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Why'd he hate you? Because he thought it would come with the 98+ front end and he doesn't like the 97? Or because he thought he was getting a 97 and then he learned it was a 98?

 

well there is a minimal difference between '97 and '98 front end and same for rears.
i tried to decide which one i was gonna rebuild my 00 Type R (which had no front end) to. i had bought the 97 rear (bumper and tails) then i changed my mind and went with 98 front (i like the 98 front better). Difference from 97 to 98 are front bumper is a little different, headlights are different (97 are round circles and 98 are on slanted ovals (i finally got why they called them teardrops). As for the rear the bumper is different 98 has a piece that makes it look lower, and tails are different from 97 to 98 (97 tails have amber turn signals and 98-01 tails are all red)

 

Yeah, I just looked at all those pics a couple of hours ago... something about the 97 styling just doesn't seem as nice... A bit too square and the lights are too straight "up".

Anyway, whatever to each his own. I guess looking for a 98+ is a better option... I just hate waiting...