Hey I live in fl and over the last few days we have had rain like it I was going out of style. I was going into work this morning and I hit water with the car. When was backing up the water pulled on my bumper cover and riped it at the fender. I have a 97 civic with a 99-00 front end. The body panels don't line up as it is. All i want to know is if I should get an other 99-00 cover or switch everything over back to the 97 front.

 

purchasing a new front bumper would be easier than replacing the entire front end dont ya think? Wouldnt you also have to replace the rad support to switch back?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by matraca0997 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The body panels don't line up as it is.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Did you have a whole 99-00 front or was it fitting like crap with just a bumper and zip ties?

 

from what i can tell it has the 97 rad support on it now and i think that is why the panels don't fit.

 

i did have zip ties but i went to honda and got the plastic things that go in there.

 

IF it indeed does have the 97 rad support (which would mean the conversion is half-assed) and you still have all the other body panels required to switch over then I would do it. I couldnt have my front end looking off centered.. im just too **** about that stuff.

 

i got the car with the half *** job done on it. i have looked around to see what i would need to do it right and i cant seem to find someone to help me. i dont have any of the old parts but it is not that hard for me to get them i try my best to get new parts when i can.

 

That might be your best bet. Just keep the broke bumper on until you can find all the required parts to switch it over

 

back to the 97 front?

 

Yes
more lips

 

What do you mean by more lips? Bumper lips?

 

theres more choices of lips for 96-98 than 99-00

 

thanks for that info but right now all i want to what i should do?

 

do whats less in $$$

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by matraca0997 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">thanks for that info but right now all i want to what i should do?</TD></TR></TABLE>
You're going to have to weigh your options.

So you have a '97 Civic with a '99-'00 front end conversion, but you think the core support might be the original '97 part, therefore being the reason for the already poor fitment of your front end.

Now you need a replacement front bumper anyway at least.

If you go with the '96-'98 front end:
- You already have the correct core support.
- You'll have to replace the front bumper, fenders, hood, headlights and upper grille.
- You're more likely to have perfect fitment.

If you go with the '99-'00 front end:
- You only have to buy the front bumper and maybe some clips.
- You'll have to either replace the core support or modify the core support or the front bumper in order for the front to fit better.
- You might still never have perfect fitment.

 

Then the cars that have done the front end swap and look good is why? They got all new parts and did it them selfs or took it to a shop had them do it for them. I have seen both front ends on cars that look good and it is hard for me to pick just one or the other. And that is what sucks.