06 Z reflector removal cutting the grill mesh install
 

I got silly this week and decided to just go for it. I wasn't very fond of the stock grill that came with the 06 z33 and didn't like the bumpers that were out that which would require a professional paint job and installation which would run up the cost like a mofo. I do like the JP Vizage Bumper, but it's kinda too aggressive, but It's one of the nicer ones out there.

I'm a minimalist when it comes to design. Enough talk, here are photos. I'll post better photos when I can. Let me know what you think.

Wheel removal - easy
Bumper removal - easy
Cutting the stock grill using a dremel tool - easy/fun
Forming the mesh grill to fit the open area - extremely difficult
Bonding the mesh grill to the open area - damn near impossible.

http://media.nbcbayarea.com/images/z33_mods.jpg

by the way, the reason why you see the winder washer fluid container in there is because If you don't paint it black, it shows up behind the reflector opening. So I painted the visible portiong black.

:icon21:First....

I think I like it. Looks clean and you did a nice job.

Maybe a front lip now?

The only lip I like is the EVO-R.NET Mines replica lip kit. But even that is just okay. We'll see.

shouldve painted it bLACK.

Now all you need is a massive intercooler in there.

I'm glad you posted this up, as I've always disliked the stock 'grill'. I don't know if I'll go this route, but it's good to see what this looks like.

throw a lip on there -> think i found the bumper i want

Maybe you can route some air to cool the brakes :D I was thinking about that since I find the reflectors almost useless.

Looks good :thumbup:

Ultamately, I want my car to kinda resemble this photo below. It'll be the closest I'll ever get to owning a lambo. Notice the Lambo uses mesh too.

http://bestautomotiveproduct.com/wp-...Angle-View.jpg

+ front lip= SO MUCH WIN!!!:icon21:

Other than the mesh and the paint color that's about all the cars have in common.

Well,

The headlights are in a very similar shape if you blurr your eyes and add 2 beers to your stomach. Also, it's a two seater sports car. Just gotta use your imagination with some alcohol. I consider my z a poorman's lambo.

Cheers!

:icon44:

Lots of people don't like when you cut the 06 bumper. I did this a while back myself and it was a pain but I think it looks good. Good job!

Here is mine: http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...2_562084_n.jpg

i actually really like this. i was expecting a shiney ricey grill, but this looks way better than stock. the stock grill on my 06 never really bothered me, but i want to add a lip and i might as well do this while im at it. did you just take out the reflectors, or did you use night shade or something?

^nvm, i see its mesh as well.

Steve-O's got it a step closer to finished. The bumper mod itself looks good, but the biggest deterrent for me is the ugliness of all the stuff behind the grill. The mesh Steve-O's got hides that a lot better.

And Steve-O, please donate your wheels to a good cause.

Good cause = Me

Thanks for the comments. I think a lip kit WOULD indeed complete this front end.

I could've went for a smaller mesh pattern but, i dunnno, thought i'd try something new. My TSX had the smaller mesh, but because the Z has such a big opening (that was one of my contentions with actually proceeding to do this) I thought that a small mesh would make it look too big, and by getting bigger mesh, the opening wouldn't appear so big.

These were some design aspects that i took into consideration.

It's kind of like wearing a white t-shirt with a lot of small polka dots, versus the same exact size t-shirt with bigger polka dots. Which shirt would look bigger or smaller....you see?

Again, i'm a minimalist and love simple, clean yet mean lines and will continue to update you with my mods.

next move
1. lowering springs (not sure which ones, i want about 1" drop)
2. Forgestar F14 (either matte black or gunmetal)
3. black housing in headlights.

Years later - Tommy Kaira front bumper!!!!

Yep, the reflectors are totally useless. They belong on a Schwinn Mtn Bike or something. LOLz.

I don't like it.