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-   -   Almost OEM upper grill block v4.0 2013 Subaru Impreza WRX STI (https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/almost-oem-upper-grill-block-v4-0-2013-a-30182.html)

jedi_sol 10-07-2014 12:28 AM

Almost OEM upper grill block v4.0 2013 Subaru Impreza WRX STI
 
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
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...913_083037.jpg

Lesson 2 - roll the entire area so that it contours with the grill. Use AT LEAST 3 layers of fiberglass for strength.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...913_091326.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...913_141635.jpg

Trimming
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...919_002220.jpg

Edges flush
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...920_115035.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...920_115111.jpg

Bondo

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...927_133029.jpg

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.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...003_145354.jpg

Details are important
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...003_145421.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...003_145239.jpg

Finished!
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...006_181031.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...006_181126.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...006_181446.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...006_181508.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...006_181149.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...006_181245.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...006_181302.jpg

Here are my grill blocks

Version 1 coroplast
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...i/IMAG2082.jpg

Version 2 fiberglass
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...i/IMAG2218.jpg

Didn't quite fit right
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...i/IMAG2222.jpg

Version 3 getting better
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...i/IMAG2439.jpg

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

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...i/IMAG3010.jpg
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...i/IMAG3011.jpg

Version 4.0
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...006_181343.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...006_181245.jpg

2000mc 10-07-2014 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedi_sol (Post 449296)
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 10-07-2014 12:55 AM

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 10-07-2014 01:25 AM

Looking way better!!!:thumbup:

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 10-07-2014 01:25 AM

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

http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/25/25272...2b4159625f.jpg

redpoint5 10-07-2014 01:35 AM

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.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y26...nt/Work018.jpg

jedi_sol 10-07-2014 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000mc (Post 449301)
...well i dunno what to tell ya then, i thought v3.0 looked pretty awesome already

http://s2.quickmeme.com/img/25/25272...2b4159625f.jpg

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 10-07-2014 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redpoint5 (Post 449302)
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.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y26...nt/Work018.jpg

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

Xist 10-07-2014 03:11 AM

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? :D

Good work and good luck! :D

jedi_sol 10-07-2014 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xist (Post 449309)
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? :D

Good work and good luck! :D

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!


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