My ITR came with a JDM front which was both good and bad. It was good because I prefer the look compared to the USDM one. But it was bad because I was not able to compete in a stock auto-x class and my car was not up to US crash standards. I am sure that most people don't care to do this modification but I want to show that it is not at all hard to do and only requires a drill, utility knife, and simple hand tools.

The USDM bumper reinforcement bolts on directly on to the JDM radiator core support.

Thanks to Tekkaboy for reposting the pics.

1. Cut off little tab from USDM plastic gusset to clear JDM bumper cover. Repeat on other side.





2. Cut off area shown. Repeat other side.





3. Install bumper cover and check for interference. Adjust if necessary.





4. Drill out spot welds from JDM upper bumper support to separate mounts from support.



5.Mount the USDM foam absorber on to the USDM bumper reinforcement. You will notice that the foam protrudes above the USDM bumper reinforcement by approx 0.25". You will need to cut this off. Draw a line on the USDM foam absorber along the top edge of the USDM bumper reinforcement. Remove the foam absorber from the USDM bumper reinforcement. Cut along the marked line. I used a bandsaw but a hacksaw or utility knife will work also. When you are finished, remount the USDM foam absorber on to the USDM bumper reinforcement. Use tape to help hold the USDM foam absorber on to the reinforcement bar.

6. Attach to JDM bumper cover and install over USDM bumper reinforcement.



If you look really close at the pics below, you can see the white of the bumper support in the upper corners of the front grille.



Below are some recent pics.





Q:Why drill out the upper jdm bumper support?

A: You drill out the JDM upper bumper support because the mounting brackets that attach it to the JDM bumper reinforcement are no longer used and also interfere with the USDM bumper reinforcement.

10/10/11: BUMPER COVER TO HEADLIGHT GAP
You may be having issues with lining up the bumper cover with the headlights because your bumper reinforcement is installed low. If you loosen the fasteners that attach the bumper reinforcement to the radiator core support, you can raise/lower the bumper reinforcement approximately 1/4"-3/8". Most people will have the bumper reinforcement in the low position because they would just hang the bumper reinforcement to the radiator core support. This also may be the reason why people have had to cut more material than I had to.

I also mentioned that the fender and bumper cover interface did not line up well. I later learned that there is a plastic insert that was missing on each fender. This piece helps align the bumper cover to the fender.

The bumper cover has held up for over 8 years of auto-x and several track days/time attacks without any readjustment. I never did tack weld the JDM bumper support to the bumper reinforcement.

2/10/15: I just put together a video that explains some of the modifications required to fit the USDM rebar under the JDM front.

 

nice job, and good directions!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by markpaco &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

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nice pic, stock suspension? very nice car btw!!

 

two things,

1. HOW THE HELL DID YOU FIGURE THAT OUT?

2. Good job, but where were you 9 months ago when i needed this!!



BTW how long did it take you?

 

Thats one hell of a DIY if I have ever seen one. Did you read that procedure somewhere. Nice work!

 

1. HOW THE HELL DID YOU FIGURE THAT OUT?

I got off my *** and quit searching the forums since not many people care to do this mod, located the parts (thanks steves98itr247), took it apart, analyzed the differences, and made the changes.

2. Good job, but where were you 9 months ago when i needed this!!

I've only had the car for 9 months so I was likely nowhere to be seen.

3. BTW how long did it take you?

About 3 hours total: 2 hrs of sitting/thinking/comparing, 0.5 hr installing/removing, and 0.5 hrs cutting and drilling. So I figure anyone can do this in an hour. A lot of people think that things are impossible/hard to do but if you break it down and ask your self; 'can I drill a hole? can I cut plastic?' Sure you can. A lot of the stuff that people do around here is very simple. Just do it! Oh, and buy a HELM!

 

mark,

only part i dont seem to understand fully is the step 4 procedure...why drill out the upper jdm bumper support?

 

that was last week @ the port of seattle? did you run in the morning group or somethin? i musta missed your car.

looks good

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Soup **** &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">mark,

only part i dont seem to understand fully is the step 4 procedure...why drill out the upper jdm bumper support?</TD></TR></TABLE>

You drill out the JDM upper bumper support because the mounting brackets that attach it to the JDM bumper reinforcement are no longer used and also interfere with the USDM bumper reinforcement.

 

I've included a better description in the images.

 

hmmm i gotta show this to my roomate when he gets back home

 

good job man.

But none of the weightsaving ****** would want to do this.

 

awesome and good info...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ITR GURU &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">But none of the weightsaving ****** would want to do this. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Especially the weight saving ****** who never track their cars.

 

ahh ic someone other than me is using their university provided webspace for car related tutorials n such.. heheh.. good job on the usdm tho.

 

JDM front, USDM acura badge???

 

 

I finally got a hold of a USDM bumper foam and installed it under the JDM bumper cover. You have to trim the top of the foam such that the top surface of the USDM rebar is flush with the bumper foam. The bumper foam sits about 1/2" higher than the top surface of the bumper rebar. Sorry I don't have any pics but it is pretty self explanatory. Now only if I could get my headlights DOT approved.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by markpaco &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I finally got a hold of a USDM bumper foam and installed it under the JDM bumper cover. You have to trim the top of the foam such that the top surface of the USDM rebar is flush with the bumper foam. The bumper foam sits about 1/2" higher than the top surface of the bumper rebar. Sorry I don't have any pics but it is pretty self explanatory. Now only if I could get my headlights DOT approved.</TD></TR></TABLE>

is big brother coming down on you?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by markpaco &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Now only if I could get my headlights DOT approved.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I feel the same way

Thanks for the great write-up!

 

This is so good to know, my car just came out from the bodyshop and I'm gonna show them this pictures to see if it can be done in my R 2. Also since people don't know how to park I NEED my 5 mph enforsment to work. Thanks dude.

 

wow nice car ... oh wait.... that was mine last year !!! U will see another JDM ITR on the road again....

 

Bump for one informative DIY.

 

UHmm lol... http://students.washington.edu....html

 

:right click save as: btw. how much money would this save because im planning on doing this to my gsr, what parts to i still need to buy to complete the jdm front end? thanks and 2 2 u