Recently my 1996 turbo ls was backed into, bending my stock core suppot, cracking my carbon fiber hood, and denting one of my fenders. I went to a few body shops and they quoted the damage to be around $2400. The driver of the other car is going to pay me cash because his insurance will drop him if he makes another claim. So I have $2400 to spend and a messed up front end.
When doing a jdm conversion do I need a special core support?
Will my intercooler piping need to be moved?
How much is the install of a kit like this with stock paint?
What else from my stock front end will be removed to put the jdm bumper on?

I can get a full fiberglass kit for around $1500 and replace the hood with carbon fiber for another $150. That leaves me with $750 for paint and install. Should that be enough?

Thanks for the help!!

 

first of all, the remaining money isn't going to be enough for the install/paint...expect to pay around 1500-2000 for quality work...

and as far as the kit itself, do yourself a favor and get the OEM sheet metal if you're going to bother doing it...the fiberglass is crap. just my .02

 

I agree, in the long run you'll save yourself some time, headache, and other problems...

Good Luck

 

Don't go for the fiberglass stuff. You'll be very dissapointed and will have to pay body shop much more than that to get it to somewhat fit right. Yes you need radiator support and your intercooler pipie shouldn't have to be moved although impossible to say until you install. Usually install runs around $1200-$2000 with paint on an OEM and $1800-$2600 on a fiberglass one. YOu will remove front bumper, bumper support, fenders, hood, and rad support. Doesn't really sound like you'll have enough to do it.

 

I agree with Dan on this Don't do the Fiberglass the extra money you end up spending to have it come out close to good looking could be spent on the oem kit.

Go to a few more shops, and see if you can get a higher estimate. I would think that its possible to get the total to at least 3500-4000 if they add in extra frame time, parts, etc. If the other guy isn't willing to pay go through your insurance, IMO I would go through the insurance anyways because if you run into needing more parts than they thought etc. I doubt the guy will pay you the extra money but your insurance has to if you go through them.