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93 to 97 Conversion Problem

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Old Aug 17, 2004 | 06:05 PM
  #1  
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Unhappy 93 to 97 Conversion Problem

Hi everyone, I wanted to know if anyone out there has done the conversion to the newer body style with their older SC. I got in on the groupbuy for the parts to do the full conversion. I ordered the whole thing from Carson Toyota. I was calling around today to find a bodyshop to do the install. every place I called told me that I wasted my money and those parts would not fit my 93 SC. They told me that the headlights were diffrent and that the mounting brackets were diffrent. Am I screwed??? I see diffrent vendors selling the whole front end without the headlights or any special brackets, That makes me think that it is possible to do the install. I wanted to know if anyone out there has done this? And if anyone has a good body shop in the LA area that they could recommend I talk to, or better yet has done a conversion like this. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am kinda freaking out about this because I have already paid for all the parts. I wasn't even planning on doing any body work to the car but I just can't pass up those groupbuys.

Please Help,

zilverz
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Old Aug 17, 2004 | 06:22 PM
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I think you should ask those guys to pass you whatever they are smoking....

http://www.intellexual.net/faq.html#061 = all parts required for the upgrade. More than likely, they are thinking of the SC430 vs. the SC300/400. The parts are all interchangeable. If anything, there *may* be some minor additions needed. I doubt it...
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Old Aug 17, 2004 | 06:37 PM
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The thing different is the fog lights. Those you cannot reuse from the 93.

Here is all the parts that you need for the conversion.
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Old Aug 17, 2004 | 06:40 PM
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You can just do it yourself. It shouldnt take any longer than 1/2 a day if youre working with two people and have access to regular handtools. When it was my turn to do the conversion, I just did a good search on here and found diagrams showing me which nut goes where.

Last edited by MrJohnTan; Aug 17, 2004 at 06:49 PM.
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Old Aug 17, 2004 | 07:02 PM
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You guys are making me feel a lot better, one guy was telling me that the headlights would not fit into the front bumper. I actually bought everything on that list except the rear spoiler. I would rather do the job myself, but how would I ever match the paint. Does anyone know a good body shop in SoCal??? I want to make this car PERFECT.

Thank you for your input

zilverz
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Old Aug 17, 2004 | 07:27 PM
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You could put it on yourself and then drive it to a bodyshop and save some money. But if money is no object to you and you want the "perfect" car... try reflections auto body in torrance or 20/20 in city of industry.
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Old Aug 17, 2004 | 07:37 PM
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Mr. JohnTan

Do you think that it would look good, and be properly painted if they painted it on the car? And money is an object, the less I spend the sooner I get my bronze TE37's and my Suprs BBK.


zilverz
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Old Aug 17, 2004 | 08:36 PM
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I think it would be a better idea to bring the car with the body panels already installed so they can better color match the paint.

Depending on the color of your car, you can always have the bodyshop paint the body panels first and then put them on yourself. The main benefit is less down time. I would only do this if your car is a basic color like black.

with cars and most other things.... PERFECTION = MONEY.
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Old Aug 17, 2004 | 08:47 PM
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I will call both of those places suggested earlier and see if they can paint my parts. The color of my SC is Pearl White. Have any of you actually changed out the front end? I just want to be totally sure that everything will fit when I put it together.

Thanks,

zilverz
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Old Aug 17, 2004 | 09:45 PM
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Zilverz, where are you in Cali???

If you're close to my area...maybe I can help you with the installation....
It's not that hard dude....right MrJohnTan????
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Old Aug 17, 2004 | 09:59 PM
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if you guys are getting together to install it, i would like to come "assist" and learn how the 97 kit goes on. and btw, zilver, you are in California. of course they say its impossible. only things little rice shops can do is install invader and combat body kits on civics and accords.
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Old Aug 17, 2004 | 10:11 PM
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Originally posted by SC400Dude
It's not that hard dude....right MrJohnTan????
Right I did the whole conversion myself in my parent's driveway. Make sure you have a diagram showing all the nuts and bolts that go on there because there are plenty which you cant see. Its OEM, everything will fit like a glove as long as you have all the right bolts and clips.
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Old Aug 18, 2004 | 07:53 AM
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Hi guys, I am in West LA. The main problem is that I don't have a garage, I live in an appartment. So, I really don't have a place to do the work. Thats why it would be great to find a shop to do the work. If I could get the parts color matched pretty well and If anyone has some work space, I would love to get the So Cal SC chapter together. I think that would be fun.

Again thanks for everyones input,

zilverz
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Old Aug 18, 2004 | 06:34 PM
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haha when i was ordering my parts from a Local Lexus dealership they asked me what i was doing . I told them i was converting my 95 to make it look newer. well a few Lexus Techs that work there said it wouldnt work. Well when i completed the conversion took my car up there they were like WTF!?!?!
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Old Aug 18, 2004 | 07:05 PM
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Well, I found body shop to do the work. I'll probably drop the SC off this weekend. I still think that the SoCal SC guys should get together. I would love to see some of the turbo setups that some have. I know the Z guys get together at Fudruckers in Pasedena every Thursday nite. I wanted to thank everyone who posted their input it really helped.

zilverz
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