I bought a type r style grill the past summer and I could never get it to fit. It says right on it civic 96-98 (mines a 97). The problem was that the holes couldn't line up on the top (where the plastic pins go in under the hood) - I would be able to get one side lined up and the other end would be raised up and I couldn't get it to evenly fit at all.
I bought it off of ilovebodykits.com because it was pretty cheap but I figured it would still fit and when i held it up to the stock grill it looked like they were they same size. Of course the company screwed me over and ignored me so I gave up trying to return it.
My question is how can I tell if it's the grill's fault or if some metal under my hood it's bent or something? I don't want to go buy another one from somewhere else if it's my car that's the issue.

 

It's probably because you bought a Type-R "style" grill instead of OEM. You get what you pay for. Sometimes you luck out.

 

That's what I figured but is there any good quality type r "style" grills that aren't $200+. I was thinking about doing a diy with the stock grill but I'd probably suck at it so exploring my options so I don't get screwed over again.

 

Car modification aint cheap. Either save up for the real thing, take your chances with another replica or get a spare grill and attempt a DIY.

http://compare.ebay.com/like/3902896...=263602_309572

 

you can't dremel out holes in the grill to make it fit?

 

It will never fit right. He'd have to modify the core support.

Mine pops out at the bump, and lifts up from the bumper. It will fit the top holes perfectly, and not the bottom. OR, fit the bottom but not the top.

You can try making a DIY grill, using the OEM grill and steel mesh.

My friend did one, fit great, and looked like a OEM one..