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It looks good, but that hood gap still bugs me. What I don't get is these were meant to be put on the 2IS, so why can't they create a mold that fits the hood gap properly? Is there any other adjustment that can be made?
It looks good, but that hood gap still bugs me. What I don't get is these were meant to be put on the 2IS, so why can't they create a mold that fits the hood gap properly? Is there any other adjustment that can be made?
That's always been the case with after market bumper covers for me. There is always a gap. I tried to replace the bumper cover on my 2018 Civic Si with a much better looking after market, and I couldn't get the gaps out. And returning was a nightmare. Ended up buying an OEM
It looks good, but that hood gap still bugs me. What I don't get is these were meant to be put on the 2IS, so why can't they create a mold that fits the hood gap properly? Is there any other adjustment that can be made?
I spent a lot of time getting the gap to be as good as it is. I personally think it is very minimal and looks uniform. When I first test fitted it there were large gaps on the sides and no gap at all in the middle, so after mucking around with it for hours I managed to get the middle to drop down without affecting the sides. It's due to the way the hood curves from the middle to the edges and is the same on the 2014 3IS conversion that I have on my other 2006 IS350. Honestly, if that tiny gap bothers you then you aren't going to be happy with any bumper conversion.
Honestly, if that tiny gap bothers you then you aren't going to be happy with any bumper conversion.
Well said there bro. For a bumper conversion you've got it really well fitted. Much better than the 3is coversions. The most important is that the gap is uniform. Love it bro 🔥🔥🔥
Well said there bro. For a bumper conversion you've got it really well fitted. Much better than the 3is coversions. The most important is that the gap is uniform. Love it bro 🔥🔥🔥
Thanks mate. I'm a pretty fussy person and all things considered, I'm very happy with the outcome. Any minor imperfections get glossed over with how good the bumper itself looks.
The only thing I would be a little concerned about this conversion is aerodynamics. I do a lot of driving between Northern California and Southern California, a 386 mile stretch where the average speed is 80 mph. You drive through areas and mountain passes with very gusty winds and sometimes have to hit speeds up to 100 mph passing trucks and other slower vehicles. The 2IS, 3IS and 4IS OEM bumper covers were designed for maximum aerodynamic efficiency in wind tunnels, while these were made in China with no thought to aerodynamics. Just something to think about if you do long distance driving like I do
The only thing I would be a little concerned about this conversion is aerodynamics. I do a lot of driving between Northern California and Southern California, a 386 mile stretch where the average speed is 80 mph. You drive through areas and mountain passes with very gusty winds and sometimes have to hit speeds up to 100 mph passing trucks and other slower vehicles. The 2IS, 3IS and 4IS OEM bumper covers were designed for maximum aerodynamic efficiency in wind tunnels, while these were made in China with no thought to aerodynamics. Just something to think about if you do long distance driving like I do
The replica bumpers use the exact same style spindle grille and side bezels as the OEM 4IS bumper, as in you could literally buy a genuine 4IS spindle grille and fit it into one of these bumpers (that's what I did with my 3IS conversion), so the only difference to the bumper would be the shape on the sides, but there is no way that would affect aerodynamics enough to actually notice. I have hit high speeds (I won't say how high) in my wife's IS350 with the 4IS conversion and I have noticed no difference at all in the way the car handles or feels at those speeds. Don't get me wrong, I see your concern, but I think you're overthinking it a little
The replica bumpers use the exact same style spindle grille and side bezels as the OEM 4IS bumper, as in you could literally buy a genuine 4IS spindle grille and fit it into one of these bumpers (that's what I did with my 3IS conversion), so the only difference to the bumper would be the shape on the sides, but there is no way that would affect aerodynamics enough to actually notice. I have hit high speeds (I won't say how high) in my wife's IS350 with the 4IS conversion and I have noticed no difference at all in the way the car handles or feels at those speeds. Don't get me wrong, I see your concern, but I think you're overthinking it a little
Lol yeah I am overthinking this, but I am a bit of a perfectionist. But it's good to know that it hasn't affected your drive. It does look amazing, you did a great job!
A photo of the 4IS conversion I installed on my mate's 2008 IS350 the other day.
Something I came across during the process: On my wife's 2006 IS350 (silver) it needed the brake ducts trimmed down a bit and the lower air guide that channels air towards the radiator trimmed down, whereas the 2008 didn't need any of that done since Lexus changed the profile of the brake ducts from 2008 on and the air guide was already shorter. It was like it was made for a 4IS conversion. The only thing I had to do on both cars was trim a slither off the front of the fender liners as it was hitting the inside of the bumper. So if you have a 2008+ model this is almost a bolt-on conversion with no cutting required.
10-08-21, 12:46 PM
