I cant pick which one. I own the 93-95 front end and the mazda factory 99-02 front end. If i use the 99 front end I will have the body shop smooth out the front plate because my state doesnt require a front plate. the car is black with evo-r headlights.
It seems like the 99 has larger openings which should cool better and also create more drag. and the 93 has smaller ports so probably less cooling and less drag. coefficent. personal opinions and facts are appreciated.

 

for the record, i think you can buy an imitation 99 front end without the plate holder.

 

Yes you can.

My vote would be for a 99 spec front bumper and a nice aftermarket lip like autoexe, odula or Mazda Speed.

Bryan

 

I have the 99 mazda lip too. The reason I would just mold it out is because the factory will always fit best.

 

is there more or less drag on the 99 spec front end does anyone know for certain?

 

More drag, it's negligible though. If you're going to have a body shop smooth it out, it'd save you much more trouble to just buy one that's already plateless, and have them make it fit 100%. The Front plate causes slightly more resistance. Wanna sell the bumper though? =D

 

the 99 spec front end?

 

99-02 all the way

 

Ive been searching for evidence or at least where mazda was going with building the 99-02 front end. Cosmetic, cooling (God knows it needed it), Aerodynamics? But, so far I haven't had any luck locating any accredited info. Maybe one of the big guys on the forum will be willing to enlighten me.

 

You seem to be putting way too much thought into this lol

 

I dont think that the added drag is negliable. I think it goes to .364 doesnt it? Having said that, 99 spec all the way. When I saw the 2 side by side, it really put things in perspective. The 99 spec bumper just looks so much better in my eyes. To be honest though, the extra cooling is pretty irrelevant in my situation. On the move, the 93-95 spec bumper does the job just fine. The only problems I ever had with cooling was in traffic and the bumper is irrelevant.

 

go plate less 99 made of of flexible material.

 

Are you trying to set a land speed record? If your answer is no, then none of that aerodynamic info matters. Seriously, just put on the one you think looks better.

 

I'll add that the area for allowed air flow is almost twice as much in the 99 spec bumper.

= (perhaps) better cooling.

 

forget cooling or drag.. pick the bumper of which looks better to you.. if you want better cooling get a better cooling system.. and i highly doubt your going to be setting land speed records so forget drag.. the bumpers are pretty simliar so it won't make much difference.. i drive with the windows down anyway

 

If you dont want a front plate holder, get the mazdaspeed.

99 plateless bumpers look weird, like a mcdonalds smile lol IMO

I got the 99 front with plate, not only cause my state requires a front tag, but because it looks better IMO. I know it seems weird to say that a big license plate on the front of the bumper will look better. Idk, to me it completes the entire look of the car, especially a street car.

If i didnt go 99, i would have DEFINITELY gotten a mazdaspeed. Very aggressive looking and it complements the car as well. Even if thats the only exterior mod you do.

 

99 bumper is beautiful but I personally like the 93 bumper with the 99 lip combination like Farkel has on this forum. Hes also got the black turns that make it look alot better also. And if you go 99 stick with the plate front version, it looks alot better than the plateless one.

 

I'm switching out this exact combo for a 99 w/ plates.

 

WORD. 99 forever.

http://f.imagehost.org/0426/history-of-rx7-645621.jpg

 

Im not setting a land speed record but cutting drag has the same effect as cutting weight every bit helps. Im very **** about such things. I was considering the ones you guys mentioned 99 plate less and 93 with 99 lip just cant decide. as far as a cooling system im using two fluidyne oil coolers a greddy intercooler and rx7 specialties radiator and i'm having a ducting system created. so it seems functionality the 93 front end will take care of cooling and might be more aerodynamic.

 

99spec front with a 99spec front plate is the best looking. The plateless look like they're missing something. Might as well go with a Burnout at that point, looks the same as a plateless 99, but with bigger openings.

 

I like the 92-98 spec & GTC bumpers.

The 99 spec bumper looks like a happy vampire with those little teeth.

 

I kept my 96 bumper and just changed the turn lights to the ones from 360tuners.com

I also installed a 99 spec lip onto it. Looks alot better now. The original turn signals and bigger lip make these bars look old and outdated.

Seeing as you have both bars though, i would go the 99+ for sure. They have much larger openings for better cooling and look a damn side better too.

 

I'd go with the 99 spec.

 

93 bumper makes the car look lower to the ground overall.
i prefer the 93
you couldnt pay me to go 99 :]