Mastana

Hey Guys,

I am about to buy a auto couture kit for my 1998 SC400, and i was just asking if i should know anything before i do purchase it. I daily my sc400 to work and school and i have a set of TT wheels off of a MKIV supra that i am putting into my car during this spring. I also have BC coils that im putting in during the Spring, and i live in New Jersey home of the potholes Will the AC kit do me good or should i avoid it?

Thanks in Advance!!

BiGEZ

iTrader: (24)

It is usually a very good fitting kit and flow well. It is made of dura flex??? and will hold up well as long as you do not hit anything too hard. It also depends on how low you drop the car, with a 1 inch drop you will have about 4 inches of clearance between the bottom of the bumper and the ground. I am about to install my kit and coil overs in a few day and will post some pics.

Biddles

iTrader: (2)

Isn't the Auto Couture kit very expensive? Isn't the Shine kit more or less the same for less?

gerrb

iTrader: (34)

Original Auto Couture kit is well over $2k and the Shine replica which is of good quality after all is half the price.

lilSCsteve

iTrader: (71)

If it was me, I'd go with the Shine kit due to the SC being a "daily" driver. Save some of that money from the AC kit and put that towards other parts for your SC? Now I know some members are against replica kits and wheels, but honestly I'd go with what works best for your budget. Just my 2 cents though...

gerrb

iTrader: (34)

+1 ^^^ .. Original or Replica , they will break anyway. We all have our priorities. Like, I would rather use that extra money on quality go fast goodies and use the Shine AC replica. It is of good quality , not cheap fiberglass that easily breaks. But like any other car that gets nearer touching the pavement because of a body kit, if you are not careful , it will break if you hit something really with force , e.g. curbs on a drive thru or parking lot stoppers, deep dips on the road / inclines .

joe diego

iTrader: (3)

Bought my SC with the Shine kit already on it. Way to fragile, so I replaced it with a 97+.

187

Stay OEM looks great already, and it's great quality.

FSUsucks1

iTrader: (5)

I would not get the front in fiberglass if I were you...it's just a matter of time before it cracks and honestly a pain in the rear to keep repairing!

I'm in the process of installing my +97 OEM front with a Fujin Poly lip, Shine Auto sides and rear bumper..the Shine kit is really great quality but if you want the original AC kit then go for it.

jennie

I have first hand experience with both the AC and Shine kits and would pick the AC kit every day of the week.

The Shine kit is nice because it's cheaper and offers nice fitment. The kit is flexible but that is what makes the kit very fragile. The thin bumper quickly cracks because of flexing. The AC kit on the other hand is made of very thick and rigid fiberglass. It'll have minimal flex like when coming out of driveways but will withstand way more such as hitting things on the freeway.

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

That's really good to know. I was considering a Shine front bumper but it seems the AC bumper would be a better choice.

myLEXsc400

if you are planning on rolling on Supra TT 17's then the kid will dwarf your wheels and make the car look bad. You need agressive 19's to make the car look good. I say keep it oem, just lower it

DrMcPho

iTrader: (1)

It's usually the front bumper that gets the most damage. I had the shine auto kit and it easily cracked and was something that needed constant repair, it usually depends on how you drive but it's just very fragile. Switched to a poly 97+ front bumper and poly fujin lip and I don't regret the shine front bumper at all.

lexforlife

iTrader: (7)

Ive had genuine ac kit on my car for over 7 yrs. Key to longevity is ,have your installer add so flexible fiberglass in the lower areas from the backside

Here a shot of mine after 6yrs of daily use

Studiogeek

iTrader: (6)

^^ Car looks great!

I'll have to try that flex fiberglass trick, I cracked mine already. I can't blame the bumper though. I didn't see an unpainted speed bump at night and hit it really hard.