Are these removable, if so, how?
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Kitchener ON
Car: 1983 Trans-Am
Engine: 305 5.0 LG4
Transmission: 200C 3 Speed
Axle/Gears: 2.93 Open Diff
Are these removable, if so, how?
Hey all!
I am thinking about removing the Black bumper insert things on my Formula to paint them body colour. I like the look of depth and I think it will look MUCH better as all one colour. What I want to know is, do I have to paint them on the car, or are they removable? They appear to be able to flex off the bumper in the corners if you tug on them a little, are the bolted from behind?
Any help would be awesome!!
My plans :
From this :
To This :
I am thinking about removing the Black bumper insert things on my Formula to paint them body colour. I like the look of depth and I think it will look MUCH better as all one colour. What I want to know is, do I have to paint them on the car, or are they removable? They appear to be able to flex off the bumper in the corners if you tug on them a little, are the bolted from behind?
Any help would be awesome!!
My plans :
From this :
To This :
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,983
Likes: 6
From: Stamford, New York
Car: 80 SE/TTA;88 T/A GTA;86 T/A
Engine: 4.9L Turbo; LT1; empty
Transmission: TH350; T56; empty
Axle/Gears: 3:23 disk; 4:10 disk ; 3.42 disk
Re: Are these removable, if so, how?
If i remember correctly they are bolted from behind, your going to have to take the entire cover off to get to them most likely.
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From: Guilford, Connecticut
Car: 1987 Trans Am
Engine: 355
Transmission: t56
Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: Are these removable, if so, how?
I dont know for sure but I'd be willing to bet they're bolted from behind.
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From: ocklawaha FL.
Car: 81z-28,89gta,91z-28 03 1500
Engine: 355,L98vette tpi,327
Transmission: TH350/700R4/700r4/4l80E
Axle/Gears: 3;73/3;27/2;73/3;73
Re: Are these removable, if so, how?
Hey all!
I am thinking about removing the Black bumper insert things on my Formula to paint them body colour. I like the look of depth and I think it will look MUCH better as all one colour. What I want to know is, do I have to paint them on the car, or are they removable? They appear to be able to flex off the bumper in the corners if you tug on them a little, are the bolted from behind?
Any help would be awesome!!
Yes as stated already,they do come off the bumper cover.
If you are just wanting them painted then you can leave them on the car.
However,you mentioned you're looking for depth.
Painting those pieces as they are are not going to give you much depth.
If depth in a mirror finish paintjob across the front bumper is what you're looking for,then I would suggest some extensive body work.
Remove those pieces and fill the areas in with some fiberglass/filler to smooth everything out before you do paint.
Not sure if I'm talking about the same thing you are but thats the way I read it anyway.
My plans :
From this :
To This :
I am thinking about removing the Black bumper insert things on my Formula to paint them body colour. I like the look of depth and I think it will look MUCH better as all one colour. What I want to know is, do I have to paint them on the car, or are they removable? They appear to be able to flex off the bumper in the corners if you tug on them a little, are the bolted from behind?
Any help would be awesome!!
Yes as stated already,they do come off the bumper cover.
If you are just wanting them painted then you can leave them on the car.
However,you mentioned you're looking for depth.
Painting those pieces as they are are not going to give you much depth.
If depth in a mirror finish paintjob across the front bumper is what you're looking for,then I would suggest some extensive body work.
Remove those pieces and fill the areas in with some fiberglass/filler to smooth everything out before you do paint.
Not sure if I'm talking about the same thing you are but thats the way I read it anyway.
My plans :
From this :
To This :
Yes as stated already,they do come off the bumper cover.
If you are just wanting them painted then you can leave them on the car.
However,you mentioned you're looking for depth.
Painting those pieces as they are are not going to give you much depth.
If depth in a mirror finish paintjob across the front bumper is what you're looking for,then I would suggest some extensive body work.
Remove those pieces and fill the areas in with some fiberglass/filler to smooth everything out before you do paint.
Not sure if I'm talking about the same thing you are but thats the way I read it anyway.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 414
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From: Kitchener ON
Car: 1983 Trans-Am
Engine: 305 5.0 LG4
Transmission: 200C 3 Speed
Axle/Gears: 2.93 Open Diff
Re: Are these removable, if so, how?
How many hold them in? Do I have to remove bumper covers?
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From: ocklawaha FL.
Car: 81z-28,89gta,91z-28 03 1500
Engine: 355,L98vette tpi,327
Transmission: TH350/700R4/700r4/4l80E
Axle/Gears: 3;73/3;27/2;73/3;73
Re: Are these removable, if so, how?
I don't recall right off hand howmany there are per side,but yes I believe you need to take the cover off the car because of that pesky inner bumper being in the way.
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Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 12,212
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
Re: Are these removable, if so, how?
Take them off, toss them away, fill the urethane holes (not the whole indention), and reshoot the bumper cover. You'll get your depth, and they'll look good.
Or just get a later model bumper cover that doesn't have those to begin with. Scuff & shoot, and you'll be good to go!
Or just get a later model bumper cover that doesn't have those to begin with. Scuff & shoot, and you'll be good to go!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,685
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From: PA
Car: 86 Trans AM
Engine: LS1 (not stock...)
Transmission: Built T56
Axle/Gears: Strange 12-bolt w/ 3.73
Re: Are these removable, if so, how?
EDIT... Nevermind that pic is probably wrong. I think that bumper has the "vents" not the bumper strips. Eh...Ill leave it anyway.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: ocklawaha FL.
Car: 81z-28,89gta,91z-28 03 1500
Engine: 355,L98vette tpi,327
Transmission: TH350/700R4/700r4/4l80E
Axle/Gears: 3;73/3;27/2;73/3;73
Re: Are these removable, if so, how?
I personally don't see very much depth there at all.
Also,the original poster showed a pic of a formula or standard firebird with no gfx. I don't know how that mod will look for the guy trying to get rid of the dimples where the ugly black pieces are supposed to be
Also,the original poster showed a pic of a formula or standard firebird with no gfx. I don't know how that mod will look for the guy trying to get rid of the dimples where the ugly black pieces are supposed to be
Re: Are these removable, if so, how?
The 91-92 non gfx cars have rounded and smooth rear bumpers like posted
Cant help much on the front unless you want a 91-92 nose too
Cant help much on the front unless you want a 91-92 nose too
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From: Bertram (outside Austin), TX
Car: 87 GTA
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: Dana M78 3.27 posi
I think the indentions left from them being removed is pretty obvious! Probably a 3/8" depth there on RedRaifs car. Supreme Member
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From: ocklawaha FL.
Car: 81z-28,89gta,91z-28 03 1500
Engine: 355,L98vette tpi,327
Transmission: TH350/700R4/700r4/4l80E
Axle/Gears: 3;73/3;27/2;73/3;73
Re: Are these removable, if so, how?
I think we are on different pages here stephen.
By depth,I and (I believe) the original poster meant in the paint itself,not 3/8 dimple where the pieces used to live.
To my understanding he was wanting to remove the black pieces and have the bumper cover smooth and flat all the way across with no indentions at all.
sorry whiteknight if I'm incorrect,just thought that was what you were looking for.
By depth,I and (I believe) the original poster meant in the paint itself,not 3/8 dimple where the pieces used to live.
To my understanding he was wanting to remove the black pieces and have the bumper cover smooth and flat all the way across with no indentions at all.
sorry whiteknight if I'm incorrect,just thought that was what you were looking for.
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,947
Likes: 368
From: Las Vegas
Car: 1987 Formula (original owner)
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt/3.45
Re: Are these removable, if so, how?
I think we talked about this a few months ago, didn't we?
The inserts are removeable. And if you want to paint them, I think it's best to remove them so you can get all the edges painted well. When they're painted in place, they tend to look over-sprayed. I've seen this, and it doesn't look very nice, sort of like it's accidental.
They bolt in from the backside of the bumper cover, and I don't see how you'd be able to remove them without removing the bumper cover first.
And once you see the backside of the cover, you'll see that you won't have small holes to fill(if your plan is to leave them off). There will be very LARGE slotted openings in the cover. So if you don't want to reinstall the inserts, then you'll have A LOT of patchwork to do to the cover, whether making it flush or just making the indentation smooth and leaving its depth.
Personally, I'd say don't paint them and don't remove them. But if you do and you like how it turns out, be sure to post pix.
The inserts are removeable. And if you want to paint them, I think it's best to remove them so you can get all the edges painted well. When they're painted in place, they tend to look over-sprayed. I've seen this, and it doesn't look very nice, sort of like it's accidental.
They bolt in from the backside of the bumper cover, and I don't see how you'd be able to remove them without removing the bumper cover first.
And once you see the backside of the cover, you'll see that you won't have small holes to fill(if your plan is to leave them off). There will be very LARGE slotted openings in the cover. So if you don't want to reinstall the inserts, then you'll have A LOT of patchwork to do to the cover, whether making it flush or just making the indentation smooth and leaving its depth.
Personally, I'd say don't paint them and don't remove them. But if you do and you like how it turns out, be sure to post pix.
Last edited by LAFireboyd; Jan 1, 2008 at 01:50 PM.
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,947
Likes: 368
From: Las Vegas
Car: 1987 Formula (original owner)
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 9-bolt/3.45
Re: Are these removable, if so, how?
Here's a pic of the bumper cover without the inserts:
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