I am starting to research replacement bumpers. Something 99 style. Looking around, I guess OEM is the only non-fiberglass, so it is the most resilient. I also guess that fiberglass varies.

I have seen a few bumpers I really like. The Rotary Extreme Feed Clone, the Veilside C1 nose, the standard OEM 99, and the new Mazdaspeed one.

Can I get feedback on durability for fiberglass ones? I am leaning towards the new MazdaSpeed one, if I don't go fiber. Though that GTC looks pretty sharp too...

If I do go fiber then its either the Feed, or the Veilside. I assume the Feed gives similar airflow improvements to the 99? How about the Veilside?

As much as people rag on Veilside (and that CII nose is pretty ), I like the edgy looks of the CI nose.

 

The durability of agood quality FC nose is more than sufficient if you are not using the car in inclement weather (meaning cold enviroments). The cold makes the FC nose more prone to damage (being more brittle than the plastic OEM nose).


I researched the Veilside C1 nose. Better airflow than OEM and '99 nose. I decided not to do either C1 or C2 as it makes the lines of the car more like the old 280Z. If I wanted one of those, I would go and find one and restore it. I love the FD lines.

I picked up a FEED Type 1 copy with '99 light updates. Quality of the nose was marginal and I took 2 weeks to get it paint ready. Check it out at MC AUtosports (https://www.mbautosport.com/). The other reason I picked it was this nose flows better into the lines of the Veilside rocker and rear add ons I put on. I don't think the Veilside nose really fits the rockers and makes a confusing line at the front tire.

If you are interested in the C1 nose, I have one from VIS. Unpainted, unprepped. Nice quality. Not as much work as I had to put into mine. PM me if you are interested.

 

pic attached (I hope! So many problems with trying this!)

 

I say just go /w the '99 spec. A lot of those bumpers you mentioned are awesome. But some look out of place when you only have the bumper and nothing else.


Oh and theres no pics attached.

 

mazdaspeed are tested in a wind tunnel i heard so its a safe bet that they havent a brilliant improvement on airflow

 

I just went through this same process last month.

My conclusion was that the only ones that fit properly and were true bolt ons are OEM or Mazdaspeed.

I have yet to see a replica that fits perfectly. It does not exist. They ALL suck, unless you don't care about fit and finish.

I like the 99 spec OEM, but could not stand the license plate bracket. To get it shaved and repaired properly will take an EXPERT in plastic repair and cost at least an extra $200 to $300. I also know for a fact that you need to do significant fitting and some mods to make it perfect, not to mention it requires different rebar and more $$$. A LOT more $$$.

I then came to the realization that my car is a 1993, and that putting anything other than the original bumper on it would degrade it's value significantly over time.

Original parts to collectors are like gold. The more original - the more the car is worth.

So - I'm keeping mine stock. It's not a bad looking front end after all.......

 

 

I agree with both SoCalLove and RonKMiller. I put the replacement nose and rockers on for my satisfaction. All the OE parts are wrapped up and put away for a future day. Ron is correct. A complete 'original' car is worth much more.

If you are still interested in replacing the nose, make sure it can be done without damaging the car so you have to repair the car if you want to put the OE nose back on.

Based on a conversation I had with friends at Mazdaspeed, the 99 nose does not help much with cooling or downforce. Not much gain for the $. Aftermarket noses are better based on engineering judgement.

I still can't seem to figure out why I can't post pics. Dammit! If anyone can think of some good reason for this, PM if you don't mind.

 

you should host them on lycos or something mate then just use the image link button rather than upload them

 

I think your friends sound wrong about the upgrade in cooling there is an article out there, by Yamaguchi, talking about 99 updates over stock, and there were some serious cooling improvements with the 99 nose.

What I am wondering, is how are the cooling improvements and downforce improvements between the 99



GTC



and new(R-spec) nose.