With the low availability of Nismo bumpers, I had the idea of modifying the stock 03 version and was just wondering if anyone had done this. I have experience with bodywork and have done a lot of fiberglassing over the past few years although mostly custom subwoofer enclosure work. With just a few cuts and addition of fiberglassing in some areas I figure this look could be achieved. Anyone want to give me a heads up on what kind of problems I might run into? I would get it professionally painted when complete btw.

 

I considered doing something like this when I first got my car, but when all the new stuff started coming out for the sedan, I decided I would rather go that route.

That chop does look kindof interesting though... like the areo kit, only more squared off. You would have a unique look, that's for sure.
My only suggestion would be to mold in a lip while you're at it.
Looking forward to seeing what becomes of this project

 

Mm I agree with you about the lip, i forgot to mention that that in my first post, perfect opportunity to mold one in. The only thing stopping me from starting this project now is that it is my daily driver so id have to wait a month or so until my dad gets his new truck and lets me borrow his car. I'll keep everyone updated with my plans/progression and any comments or tips are appreciated.

 

^Ask around on the forum. You can probably pick up an extra 03 bumper dirt cheap. Try placing a WTB in the marketplace.

 

there's the other nismo bumper that looks like that now. the HikkataDori ones..

 

^The HikkataDori bumper is based off of the Nismo which is more rounded and the openings are shaped differently.

For comparison sake:

 

Id go with the nismo replica. With all the work and material you will spend on trying to get it right it might be easier to just buy the aftermarket 1. Also i dont really like to stick fiberglass on poly as sometimes it doesnt like to stick and bumpers can act funny to bodywork. Also you could have it painted without any down time of your dd

 

Nothing fits like OEM. I say give it a shot, if you do the work yourself it can be done cheap. PM Hossmaxima for a lip, he's selling one for these bumpers. It's the data style, would look good molded. (you can get it off ebay too)

 

I was just in the garage reinstalling my bumper because i had to swap out some harnesses on my projectors and was looking at the bumper thinking bout this thread. Its gonna be alot of work to make that work. Do you have all the tools. I have been doing body work for 13 yrs and i would opt to get the replica and just put the time into fitting that. Although if you mold in a lip it prob be worth it just gonna be alot of work.

 

+1



I would honestly stay away from fiberglass for a bumper if the car is a sort of daily driver. Most i've seen tend to suffer some some sort of paint damage down the line just from the act of driving out in the rear world. If it's a show car and will never ever come into contact with anything..then go for it.

 

i've always pictured that in my head when i look at my bumper how it would look like without that bar in the middle and with some nice mesh on the openings. I hate the mesh that's on the 05-06 bumpers though. Check out the N1 lip
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/03-04...Q5fAccessories

 

i actually have seen pics of the 03 stock bumper with those vents chopped off like that, but thats it, no molding or anything..

 

the problem is getting fiberglass to adhear to a poly bumper and stay looking nice. the fiberglass wont flex along with the bumper and it will show cracks and splits where you molded it.my suggestion would be to lay glass over the entire oem bumper and then mold from there.

 

Dang you Endro, I thought I was the only one who thought of doing this...

 

I'd be concerned about durability of fg on plastic... the front bumper takes a bit of abuse (scrapping, debris of different weight, size, velocity, etc... probably wouldn't take much to crack and brake the areas it was molded/bonded...

You're might be better off getting a full fg bumper.