Almost OEM upper grill block v4.0 2013 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

[jedi_sol]

So my girlfriend is embarrassed about my grill block and threatened to break up with me. I she gave me an ultimatum: 1 get rid of them or 2) make them less noticeable. Being a true ecomodder, I opted for option 2 ☺

This time I REALLY have to make the grill block as OEM as my skills will allow me. The goal is to make the block a little recessed and flush as possible.

This will be the 4th grill block I've made - so all of my trials and tribulations of my previous 3 attempts should hopefully pay off.

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See also: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...eza-30402.html
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Lesson one - I lined the backing with coroplast so that it will not sag


Lesson 2 - roll the entire area so that it contours with the grill. Use AT LEAST 3 layers of fiberglass for strength.



Trimming


Edges flush



Bondo



More trimming and primer - I decided to trim the top portion down so that you can see the "wings" flank the Subaru logo. Since the logo and wings are the most noticeable part of the grill, leaving them uncovered makes the grill look more OEM.


Details are important



Finished!











Here are my grill blocks

Version 1 coroplast


Version 2 fiberglass


Didn't quite fit right


Version 3 getting better


Version 3.1 first use of power tools (power sander and dremel tool). Notice I cut out the logo




Version 4.0

[2000mc]

Originally Posted by jedi_sol

The goal is to make the block a little recessed and flush as possible.

why not put the block on the backside of the grill if you want to hide it?

[jedi_sol]

I wanted to keep laminar flow as smooth as possible by keeping the grill block up front yet still "flow" with the "looks" of the car

[pgfpro]

Looking way better!!!

Oh and understand the girl friend issue. My wife is not to happy I have my car all painted now looking good and now I'M installing the LP turbo behind the driver seat. lol It will be box in with a 1/4" steel scatter plate just in case it decided to come apart.lol

[2000mc]

...well i dunno what to tell ya then, i thought v3.0 looked pretty awesome already

[redpoint5]

I liked version 1 well enough... v4 turned out very nice. If you take a black Sharpie to the fasteners, you won't hardly notice those either.

Can't say I care for the gf though :P

Counter her threat by saying you will trade in your Subie for my old one.

[jedi_sol]

Originally Posted by 2000mc

...well i dunno what to tell ya then, i thought v3.0 looked pretty awesome already

I liked version 3.0 as well, but it was still drew some teasing from her girlfriends and relatives

That's one of the problems with my girl, she's very sensitive to what other people think of her. But hey, it gave me a reason to fine tune my fiberglassing.

[jedi_sol]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I liked version 1 well enough... v4 turned out very nice. If you take a black Sharpie to the fasteners, you won't hardly notice those either.

Can't say I care for the gf though :P

Counter her threat by saying you will trade in your Subie for my old one.

Lol she might like your old subbie better than mine because it looks less "ecomodded"

[Xist]

I am sorry that the fourth iteration was the result of drama. I have heard that once is an anomaly, but twice is a pattern. Hopefully this does not continue to be a problem.

What about your wheels?

Good work and good luck!

[jedi_sol]

Originally Posted by Xist

I am sorry that the fourth iteration was the result of drama. I have heard that once is an anomaly, but twice is a pattern. Hopefully this does not continue to be a problem.

What about your wheels?

Good work and good luck!

Thank you.!

The wheels were actually not that hard to convince her to let me paint gold. I told her it's the trendy in the car world, just like her clothes are trendy. She said she's okay with gold rims as long as they are not shiny bling gold, lol!