Review: Aftermarket Nismo Aero Kit for 03/04 Sedan (VIS Techno R)
#1
Review: Aftermarket Nismo Aero Kit for 03/04 Sedan (VIS Techno R)
Hi everyone, I recently joined the site, and got the VIS aero kit (Techno R) sold by another member here. While the work is getting done on my car, I thought I should share my observation with you guys, and I believe the information will be helpful for those who are interested in getting the same kit soon. I'll put some more pics soon.
Notice: DON'T get The rear bumper lower skirt, it won't fit without serious modification.
Edit: sorry guys I'll continue what I started. After I first saw the pics of the front bumper from the guy selling it here, I did some research and also called VIS to confirm that this kit was the Nismo aero kit replica, and the mounting holes were already there and utilize the original mounting points on the car body. I got the front bumper first then the sides and rear a couple weeks later.
From the first look, the quality seems decent; however I'm no expert at aftermarket body kits so don't take my word for it. The front bumper has the primer on and the sides and rear pieces are in orginal fiberglass finishing.
During the fitment test, the front and the sides fit fine but not the rear - it's short by 1+ inch. I went to VIS and showed it to them; they offered free mod/installation for the rear but I decided to return it. For the front bumper, all mounting holes are almost indentical to the orignial one, except the corner signal light bracket is already there. And for the sides, they line up to the mounting holes under the car, but on the part below the kick board they are not able to utilize the original clips. I have already post the question hopefully I'll figure that one out soon. One or two mounting holes at the wheel well need to be drilled but the marking's already there.
I took some extra time preping the kit. Although the guy from the body shop is really happy about the quality being the better one among aftermarket kits, we still take some time to sand it down for a better result. Plus I wanted it black for the vent on the bumper, and for the part below the kick boards on the sides, the masking/pre-paint work also took some time. On the front bumper at the corner lamp mount, we also drill the hole bigger to let the grommet through.
Update: the corner light was kinda hard to put on after the paint job, so I took some time grinding the mounting holes on the bumper to let the corner light snap on easier.
Overall, I think the front bumper and the side skirts are decent for an aftermarket kit. The mounts are pre-drilled and they fit almost the same way as the original kit. If you can get them altogether under $500 I believe you'll have enough room to work with on the paint and installation, especially for those who need to mod the Nismo bumpers but don't feel like cutting off an $800+ real Nismo bumper. However for those who just want the original Nismo bumper look, it might be easier just to get the original one.
Here's a quick summary of my observation, in addition to the pros and cons of fiberglass and poly kit:
The good: fitment; pre-drilled mounts; same mounting points as the original kit; better production quality; built-in corner light mounting bracket (when properly worked); possibility of being creative/moded
The bad: no license plate filler; lack of clips/accessories/documents; extra time needed for preping the kit/mouting the corner lights; random flaws like all aftermarket kits
Bottom line: better-than-expected fitment
Some suggestions for VIS: the built-in corner light bracket might create problems when mounting the corner lights; removing them prior to shipping by request would be a good idea.
Any inputs are welcome.
Here's a shot at the front bumper, with tapes around the vent preping to be painted black (that's how it got the wrinkles some of you spotted):
![](http://www.commcafe.net/extra/images/G35/VIS/img_0191_web.jpg)
Here's a pic with the built-in corner lamp mounting bracket. The yellow circle is where I ground the hole bigger to let the grommet pass:
![](http://www.commcafe.net/extra/images/G35/VIS/img_0190_web.jpg)
Before paint job, the tape was to secure the corner light:
![](http://www.commcafe.net/extra/images/G35/VIS/img_0206_web.jpg)
The back of the bracket after grinding down:
![](http://www.commcafe.net/extra/images/G35/VIS/img_0258_web.jpg)
Side skirts:
![](http://www.commcafe.net/extra/images/G35/VIS/img_0280_web.jpg)
Front end and side skirt complete:
Notice: DON'T get The rear bumper lower skirt, it won't fit without serious modification.
Edit: sorry guys I'll continue what I started. After I first saw the pics of the front bumper from the guy selling it here, I did some research and also called VIS to confirm that this kit was the Nismo aero kit replica, and the mounting holes were already there and utilize the original mounting points on the car body. I got the front bumper first then the sides and rear a couple weeks later.
From the first look, the quality seems decent; however I'm no expert at aftermarket body kits so don't take my word for it. The front bumper has the primer on and the sides and rear pieces are in orginal fiberglass finishing.
During the fitment test, the front and the sides fit fine but not the rear - it's short by 1+ inch. I went to VIS and showed it to them; they offered free mod/installation for the rear but I decided to return it. For the front bumper, all mounting holes are almost indentical to the orignial one, except the corner signal light bracket is already there. And for the sides, they line up to the mounting holes under the car, but on the part below the kick board they are not able to utilize the original clips. I have already post the question hopefully I'll figure that one out soon. One or two mounting holes at the wheel well need to be drilled but the marking's already there.
I took some extra time preping the kit. Although the guy from the body shop is really happy about the quality being the better one among aftermarket kits, we still take some time to sand it down for a better result. Plus I wanted it black for the vent on the bumper, and for the part below the kick boards on the sides, the masking/pre-paint work also took some time. On the front bumper at the corner lamp mount, we also drill the hole bigger to let the grommet through.
Update: the corner light was kinda hard to put on after the paint job, so I took some time grinding the mounting holes on the bumper to let the corner light snap on easier.
Overall, I think the front bumper and the side skirts are decent for an aftermarket kit. The mounts are pre-drilled and they fit almost the same way as the original kit. If you can get them altogether under $500 I believe you'll have enough room to work with on the paint and installation, especially for those who need to mod the Nismo bumpers but don't feel like cutting off an $800+ real Nismo bumper. However for those who just want the original Nismo bumper look, it might be easier just to get the original one.
Here's a quick summary of my observation, in addition to the pros and cons of fiberglass and poly kit:
The good: fitment; pre-drilled mounts; same mounting points as the original kit; better production quality; built-in corner light mounting bracket (when properly worked); possibility of being creative/moded
The bad: no license plate filler; lack of clips/accessories/documents; extra time needed for preping the kit/mouting the corner lights; random flaws like all aftermarket kits
Bottom line: better-than-expected fitment
Some suggestions for VIS: the built-in corner light bracket might create problems when mounting the corner lights; removing them prior to shipping by request would be a good idea.
Any inputs are welcome.
Here's a shot at the front bumper, with tapes around the vent preping to be painted black (that's how it got the wrinkles some of you spotted):
![](http://www.commcafe.net/extra/images/G35/VIS/img_0191_web.jpg)
Here's a pic with the built-in corner lamp mounting bracket. The yellow circle is where I ground the hole bigger to let the grommet pass:
![](http://www.commcafe.net/extra/images/G35/VIS/img_0190_web.jpg)
Before paint job, the tape was to secure the corner light:
![](http://www.commcafe.net/extra/images/G35/VIS/img_0206_web.jpg)
The back of the bracket after grinding down:
![](http://www.commcafe.net/extra/images/G35/VIS/img_0258_web.jpg)
Side skirts:
![](http://www.commcafe.net/extra/images/G35/VIS/img_0280_web.jpg)
Front end and side skirt complete:
![](http://www.commcafe.net/extra/images/G35/VIS/img_0295_web.jpg)
Last edited by ray1370; 07-16-2009 at 02:25 PM.
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