i ordered a 1996-98 body kit and i just realized today that it was a 96 body kit and not a 2000. will it fit? i have a 2000 honda civic ex

 

You need to change the hood, fenders, headlights, and grille.

 

... and front core support.

 

You can bend the brackets.

 

Yup... there is a correct way to do it, and there is a "half-azzed" way to do it. My response is the former and yours is the latter.

 

This isn't an exaggeration, either. There will be massive gaps, 2" in some places, 1" in others. The headlights are only similar in shape, the grill is much smaller in a 96-98.

I'm about to swap half the front end on a 2000 Civic myself, previous owner unknowingly bought a bunch of 96-98 parts and slapped them off after a fender bender.