This is a highly contested subject but Im going to ask it any way. Ive got an 82z and before I start the body prep for paint I wanted to get your opinions.

Ive got the original 82z bumper and small chin spoiler. But I also have an 86 bumper cover and chin spoiler. Which one should I use? Do I stay true to my year for an original look or go with the more asthetically pleasing (IMO) updated front end?

 

I like the 86 cover and chin better, but if your trying to make the car look at all original then stick with the 82 cover.

 

I like 86+ but the 82 are cool too, if you want a meaner more aggressive look, go with 86.

 

While I agree that the 86+ nose looks better, if you don't have the complete ground effects kit to put on the car I would keep the 82 nose. Having the lower-hanging 86+ nose ground effects with the shorter 82 door/rocker pieces just won't look right.

 

As much as I don't like the 82-85 front bumpers, it's going to look really weird if you have an 86+ bumper with the earlier style ground effects.

 

I'd say stick with the 82 bumper. My brothers old car had the same one and it looked pretty sharp. If money was no object I would ditch both and go with the gfx from a 92.

 

Smart man-the 91/92 GFX are just dead sexy.

 

This may or may not help. Mine is an '84 SC that the previous owner added the 82-84 gfx to. Before I went with all '91-92 gfx I had changed the front bumper and gfx with a set off an '86 parts car I had. Here's some pics of it. It'll give you an idea of what yours would look like with earlier gfx with an 85-90 style chin spoiler. Personally I don't think it looks as out of place as some are making it out to be. In the end, do what you like with whatever budget you are trying to stay in.