I need to get a new front bumper cover for my 87 TA before it gets repainted. Any experiences with the reproduction front bumpers? They are about $200 vs OEM which is $300. If there is no difference I wouldn't mind the savings.

 

Is this just a car or is it your baby? How much is paint going to run you? Most of the time aftermarket parts don't quite fit right, like the fenders are notorious for this. If its really something you plan on keeping and want perfect, get the OEM.

 

For only a $100 difference I would rather have the piece of mind and get an OEM cover. Like Josh said, you just don't know if the repro will fit right.

 

aftermarket stuff is never perfect. 9 times out of 10 they take a few extra minutes to try to line up just right, and often times they dont line up no matter how hard you try. Its usually not all that bad, not enough to really be noticable. But if you are really picky or making a show car OEM is the only way. Otherwise, after paint, they look pretty much the damn same.

 

where would you be getting the bumpers from? what brand would it be?

 

For $100 I'd go for the OEM unless I was crunched for money. Even in that case I'd be sure the aftermarket is CAPA certified.

 

Hmmm, can you tell us where we can get some CAPA certified parts? Any website or company suggestions?

 

i want to know where u are getting an oem bumper or even aftermarket for that matter.

 

Usually you just have to ask if they are certified. There will be a lable or sticker on the part if it is in fact certified. When I got my bumper for my 82 there were no OEM's left so I got an aftermarket. I was very pleased with the fit of the CAPA part.

 

You can still get a non-trans am front fascia from Vintage Parts Inc. via your dealer (its wholesale only). The Trans Am fascia is discontinued from the dealer completely.

 

[QUOTE=TraviZ]i want to know where u are getting an oem bumper or even aftermarket for that matter.[/QUote


Ecklers lists both oem and aftermarket front bumper in there catalog. 309.99 for oem and 159.99 for reproduction. 2005/06 catalog.

 

I just ordered a front bumper for my 87 iroc for 130$ delivered to my body shop. Thank you taiwan.

 

Pull one off of a junkyard car, hawkes, f-body motorsports, oem/oer pieces, etc. Finding a front end should be easy, but regardless of brand, remember to check the hood alignment and watch for sagging. I've seen a lot of magazine cars (usually Camaros) ruined by nose cone sag.