1999 EX grille swap for SI

[Georgy]

Hi, I just bought a 1999 civic ex stock, and am looking to do a few minor mods, just for kicks.

I really don't like the look of the ex grille, and want to switch it out for the simpler si grille, the one with just the black mesh. I see a few on ebay for around 10 bucks and they look alright. Do any of you guys know how to switch the grille out? What would i use and how would I paint the ring to make it silver to match my car?

Or would a better solution be to use the same ring but replace the folds on the EX grille with a black mesh?

Sorry if these seem to be really simple questions, but any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[adams00civic]

The ebay grills are great i have purchased one and it looks great.
oh and you may want to check out the si grill and foglight combos for around 30 - 40 bucks i think.
ps the grills on ebay are a cheap remanufactured product. but for the price i think it a good deal

 

[Georgy]

Thanks. i found another post that explained how to pain so I think I'm good to go. For the foglights, though, don't I have to cut the bumper for the EX? Also, how difficult was it to put the new grille in? Are any obscure tools needed?

 

[adams00civic]

i havnt put myn in yet but my buddy has he said it fit good so thats a plus
idk thats a good ? about the foglights im thinking abt ordering sum ile try to find out and get back to you

 

[brick]

Putting the grill in is easy and fast. Simple hand tools. And for the foglights, type it in into Google. "Civic foglight install" you should get a site that had a complete step by step install. Yes you will have to cut your bumper, Just have to be careful.

 

[EK|B]

You have to take off the bumper to put on the grille. Not hard though.

 

[Georgy]

Got it. Thanks for the input.

 

[whoopnip]

What would i use and how would I paint the ring to make it silver to match my car?

Or would a better solution be to use the same ring but replace the folds on the EX grille with a black mesh?

What painting experience do you have? The results may or may not come out as you'd hoped: painting is tricky. Make sure you sand properly, buy paint that matches your color code (not all silvers are the same), and use clear coat if the paint requires it. You will (probably) not have to prime the surface, as it'll probably be ABS plastic. Do you know how to locate your color code and find matching paint?

Alternatively, you could do as you said and modify your existing grill with black mesh (not too difficult, I can point you in the direction of a DIY if you need me to). Then you wouldn't have any paint issues to deal with.

Your last cost-effective option would be to spend $30-50 on an OEM Si grille that's already painted your color.

For the foglights, though, don't I have to cut the bumper for the EX?

Yes, but there are pre-designated spots, so it's not that difficult.

Also, how difficult was it to put the new grille in? Are any obscure tools needed?

You will most likely need a phillips head screwdriver and a 12mm wrench or socket. If it's not 12, it's either 10 or 14. The 1997 Civic (my body style) has a different front bumper, but I doubt the attachments are too different. Just take your time and make sure you set the bumper on something soft (blanket, etc) when you take it off so it doesn't get scratched.

Lastly, welcome to CC.

 

[Georgy]

Mmm, pointing me in the mesh DIY swap would be very helpful. Thanks whoopnip; you're right, I don't have painting experience... also, where would I get an OEM si grille painted my color... I googled si grille silver and didn't get any solid hits.

 

[whoopnip]

Mmm, pointing me in the mesh DIY swap would be very helpful. Thanks whoopnip; you're right, I don't have painting experience... also, where would I get an OEM si grille painted my color... I googled si grille silver and didn't get any solid hits.

Here's a good thread for the DIY mesh:
http://www.clubcivic.com/board/showthread.php?t=57767

If you're willing to give painting a shot, I can help you through it. Just be willing to spend a night on it and then redo it if it turns out bad or the paint doesn't last for a long time. The paint will probably cost, depending on where you get it and the availability of your color (and if you need clear coat), $6-20. Though keep in mind that this is using spray paint, which is much less durable than OEM paint.

You'd have to get a used grille, as when you buy them from an OEM parts supplier they come unpainted. I would try here on CC in the marketplace, on Craigslist, on eBay (make sure it's OEM!), or at a junkyard.

Let me know which option you decide to go with, or if you want more info on one of the options.

 

[Georgy]

Thanks a lot for helping me out whoopnip. The DIY mesh looks relatively easy and cheap. And if I'm gonna take the front end apart, doing some cutting and easy DIY stuff should be just fine. I think I'm gonna get mesh and spray it black just like the guy did... haha, I'll do it after finals I guess.

You gonna do anything with your EX? I think I'm gonna get some raceland coilovers and keep an eye out for fat fives or SI rims to swap with my steelies. Personally I don't think the civic is worth the money to do too much engine work on

Oh one more thing, one of my headlights is really foggy, yellowish, I heard that wetsanding will get it back to clear. That should be a fix for the fogginess right?

 

[whoopnip]

Thanks a lot for helping me out whoopnip. The DIY mesh looks relatively easy and cheap. And if I'm gonna take the front end apart, doing some cutting and easy DIY stuff should be just fine. I think I'm gonna get mesh and spray it black just like the guy did... haha, I'll do it after finals I guess.

No problem. Yeah, it shouldn't be too hard. I personally painted an eBay grille, because I like to keep all my stock parts.

You gonna do anything with your EX? I think I'm gonna get some raceland coilovers and keep an eye out for fat fives or SI rims to swap with my steelies. Personally I don't think the civic is worth the money to do too much engine work on

Well I have done some, but I've just never gotten around to putting it up here... I keep records, so I'll just list my mods in order of having done them:

Painted valve cover
Color match badgings
Si Style Grille
Polished Integra GS-R Fat Fives w/ Goodyear Eagle GTs
LED Tail light bulbs
Smoke Tail lights
Tint
Custom painted eBay shift knob (black with blue lettering)
Valeo Wipers
Blue stitch shift boot
DIY CTR style headlights
2.5" Cat-back with A'Pexi WS2 muffler
NGK Plugs
White LED dome and trunk lights

This list is of only mods and not maintenance or repairs. Some things planned for the near future (in no particular order):

Antenna relocation
Raceland Coilovers
HIDs (ordered from DDM Tuning, on their way)
Smoke headlights (only after HIDs, of course)
Underfloor sub
Aftermarket Head Unit (one came with my Civic, but it's old and not the best)
Rear disc swap
Rotor/caliper upgrade in the front
Good brake pads
Strut and sway bars
Interior LEDs (not excessive, mind you)
LEDs in the gauge cluster and heating bezel
CTR style Front Lip
Black carpet
Blue door inserts
Black/blue racing seats

And last but the greatest: boost.

I may have left a few things out, but that's just a list I threw together one time.

Oh one more thing, one of my headlights is really foggy, yellowish, I heard that wetsanding will get it back to clear. That should be a fix for the fogginess right?

Yes, I would recommend starting with 400 grit and going through maybe 800, 1000, 1500, through 2000, and then spraying some clear coat on the lenses. Clear coat comes from the factory on the lenses, and helps prevent oxidation. The sanding will remove it. Make sure you sand completely at each step: I would recommend going up and down on one grit, then side to side on the next, alternating, so it's easy to tell when you've completed sanding with one grit.

 

[Georgy]

Lol looks like were sorta on the same page for some of the mods. I think im gonna get the grille and hids done first then the drop in the summer.

Im liking the mod list... I should get a job...

 

[whoopnip]

Lol looks like were sorta on the same page for some of the mods. I think im gonna get the grille and hids done first then the drop in the summer.

Im liking the mod list... I should get a job...

Sounds like a plan.

Don't get pulled over for the HIDs.

 

[donovan772]

I recently installed my fog lights 2 weeks ago on my Si and they weren't that hard just follow the line on the back, start small and go big, if you do get fogs you def. won't be disappointed with the look, although my switch to turn them on and off doesn't work, but that may just be my kit. Anyways if you get the fogs and got any questions just shoot me a PM.

 

[honda_hien]

as for the grill.. just use your stock one.. cut out the middle plastic and get a mesh grill insert.. saves from painting the new one.. and for fogs. you will have to cut the bumper. but if you get aftermarket fogs. im pretty sure the outer cover wont sit flush..