97 to 99 front end conversion help!!~

[quiyao]

Hi... I'm new to the whole forum concept. I bought my 97 hatch(dx) about a year ago and i'm really liking the idea of a type-R. I wondering what kinda of fitment and other issues i might run into while converting my front end from 97 to 99.

I have purchased the hood and front bumper. I installed the hood today and noticed that it seems to overlap part of the headlights. I also tried to install the bumper and its just not going to fit. I'm wodering if i need to buy 99 headlights for this conversion, and if there is any other modification to the bumper that i might need to do in order for it to fit. Any help in the matter would be greatly appreciated.

 

[blinx9900]

parts you will need

99-00 civic fenders
99-00 civic hood
99-00 civic headlights
99-00 civic bumper
99-00 civic SI grill
99-00 civic SI front lip

when using the SI grill you might need to grind about 2-3mm off the radiator support, very very easy. everything else just bolts right on, make sure your headlights dont aim at the sky thouhg, you dont want to be blinding anybody.

EDIT: jdmlvr is correct about the tabs and the rad support, what i did was just trim the bumper in stead of the rad support, i guess you can do either one but cutting plasic is easier.

 

[jdmlvr]

if you google 96 to 99 civic front end you'll find tons of answers. But my car is a 96 and i've done it this conversion due to a bashed up front when i bought the car, it was mainly for the shell.
You'll need:
Headlight
Fender
Hood
Bumper
Grill
The radiator support needs to be changed out or modified, it has different bumper tabs on it, located on either side of the grill peice. You can cut out a bit of the outer corners of the tab on a 96 radiator support and it'll fit the 99 bumper. I had to do it because I ordered a new 99 civic support and they still sent me a 96, those idiots. Everything else is direct bolt on and adjust.

Since your going for type-r b/c you like the idea. I suggest looking into gunmetal type-r headlights, foglights, lip, and grill. You can purchase the real stuff or knock-offs, up to you, the real stuff will fit 100% but cost 3x+ more, the replicas will require a bit of fitment work but most of the time you can't tell a difference, unless you look really close.

edit: I typed this up and didn't click post >_< blinx9900 beat me to it

 

[CIVICHB98]

I've done the same conversion on my own and it's very easy, nothing to it. 98 with 2000 parts

 

[quiyao]

thanx everybody
verry helpfull!
when i did the hood i was verry exited, it was so easy and it was looking like it was going to work, but when i got to the bumper the radiator sup, the lights, and the fenders din't wana cooperate . i started getting scared. idin't know how much worse it get.

you guys really put me at ease...

as fas as authentic or knock offs... i'm definately going for fake. the only thing i might splurge on is the type-r steering wheel, but i'll setle for si gauge cluster.