J's Racing Fk8 Grill

[fatherpain]

As metal_driver stated there are (9) of these metal clips with threaded holes to slip onto the tabs of the J’s grill.

Like this. The top (3) tabs do not have corresponding holes on the OEM bumper so these holes have to be drilled... the trick is how do you mark the holes? Had to think on this for awhile and read J’s instructions over and over until I finally understood how.

First, cut (3) small paper squares and use the included bolts to punch holes in them.

Next put some scotch tape on both sides of the squares.

Fasten the (3) squares to the (3) upper tabs using the scotch tape.

Like this.

Now get some double sided tape and do the same thing. Make (3) squares and punch holes.

Peel the backing off one of the sides of the double stick tape, line up the holes and lightly apply to the paper squares, so it’s barely hanging onto the paper squares.

Carefully remove the remaining backing, leaving a sticky tape ready to grab onto the tabs on the Bumper and let go of the paper squares on the J’s grill.

Like this. Double sided tape exposed and ready to grab onto the bumper tabs.

Now line up the (4) upper tabs and insert the grill into the bumper. Press hard at the (3) tabs where the holes need to be marked, then remove the grill.

Woohoo! Success!!! Double sided tape successfully transferred to the bumper marking all (3) holes to drill.

 

[fatherpain]

With the puzzle of how to mark the holes solved, used a drill bit matching the diameter of the existing OEM holes and drilled these (3) spots. Used a tiny drill bit first as a pilot hole.

 

[hikaru]

Great tips to transfer the holes from one to another, and you can put the foam tape on your bumper, then secure the bolt in the grill and make indentation on the foam tape.

 

[fatherpain]

Fit the grill and screwed in the (9) bolts. As metal_driver shared, the longest bolt goes into the center upper tab that threads into the cut center plastic

The (2) ends of the grill need to be drilled using a tiny drill bit. I compared the bit to the included self tapping screws and did it a little smaller so the screws would Bite.

Measure carefully and drill.

Then screw in the self tapping screw to fasten the end of the grill to the bumper.

Pulled the grill off the bumper several times to adjust the grill mesh

Finally settled on sandwiching the mesh between the grill and the emblem holder strap.

The bottom of the emblem holder strap was hitting a little when we tried installing the grill and bumper to the car, so I used a grinder to remove some metal and give it some clearance.

 

[fatherpain]

Bumper and grill ready to install.

Another angle.

Doh.. look how bad the fitment is!

Was expecting some fitment issues and thought it would be due to bowing or warping... the majority of the issues appear to be due to really poor edges. They are all over the place. Fortunately there weren’t any issues installing the grill. These are strictly cosmetic

Edit: Great news...Just left the body shop. Turns out the fitment is an easy fix. All it will involve is some painters tape and sandpaper. They explained it to me. Gonna do it myself then bring back later to paint

Oh those gaps!!

With any luck, the paint and body shop will be able to fix these fitment issues.

As previously mentioned, painted the crash beam and AC Condenser Black. The Wagner intercooler is already a black color. Car is ready for the bumper to go back on!!

 

[fatherpain]

More fitment issues. Sigh. Gap by the rightheadlight

and the left..

Had to cut and remove this rubber piece on both sides of the AC Condenser/Radiator as it was folding in and could be seen through the grill.

 

[fatherpain]

J’s Racing grill and OLM/Morimoto headlights installed!!!

Despite my gripes about fitment, I knew it likely would be an issue going in...Just didnt know it was this bad, heh.

Will be taking it to the paint and body shop so hopefully they can fix the fitment before they paint and clear coat it.... but it probably won’t be cheap

Still waiting for a new JDM Honda Badge and J’s Vented hood to complete the front end overhaul. It’s worth noting the center emblem base reduces air flow by 20%.

Tempted to cut the Type R emblem from the OEM grill and attach it somehow... downside is it would ruin the OEM grill

 

[metal_driver]

Tom, I think the end product looks awesome! Love the look of the Mirimoto/J's headlights with the J's grill. The Red R badge should really stand out when you mount it, if you are going that route (maybe a stealth greyed out one or even a bowtie for the black white look you have going - lol). The black and white theme you have going there looks great.
Great job on the detailed write up - as always. Well documented with supporting pictures. I could not figure out how to line up the three top holes for drilling but it looks like you got that sorted
Cant wait for this COVID situation to settle down a bit so I can get back to my brothers shop and finish off mine as well.
Cant wait to see the new hood once you get that painted up white sith some black trim as well. Its going to look killer and should definitely all help in the cooling department.

 

[xdecemberguy]

I love, love the look but for the price, fabrication, paint, and fitment issues it's not worth it to me. If the fitment was perfect I might consider it but for that price...no way.

 

[TypeSiR]

Well done! Can't wait to see the finished product!

The badge holder alone seems to occupy 15-20% of the grille opening. Have you considered leaving it off? Maybe on track days?

 

[spyder57]

As usual, you outdo yourself on the detailed steps FatherPain. However, I'm with xdecember guy on this one. For almost $800 (!!), I would have expected OEM level of fitment. That seems like a horror show and I don't understand why people continue to buy from J's racing.

 

[fatherpain]

Thanks Jeff, really appreciate man. I would have been majorly stuck without your install posts blazing the path forward.

Despite the gap issues, which will cost additional $$$ to get close to an OEM fitment, am digging the aggressive aesthetics the grill adds to the front end. The headlights were on sale through TRS and Alligator a short time ago.

The extra cost for fitment correction is TBD and a little bit of a bummer. The lesson I am learning is there are hidden costs associated with aftermarket body/trim modifications.

Blacking our the grill mesh, crash bumper and AC condenser seems to improve the look and minimize the “manta ray” profile some, heh.

Really looking forward to seeing the J’s grill installed on your car. Jeff. Love seeing mods on Rally Red... They stand out and look so good. For example...the Voltex 2v wing, just looks so much better on PrisonerOfDoom’s RR... Similarly, I am betting the J’s grill will be absolutely killer on your car.

Really looking forward to seeing yours installed, can hardly wait

Tom, I think the end product looks awesome! Love the look of the Mirimoto/J's headlights with the J's grill. The Red R badge should really stand out when you mount it, if you are going that route (maybe a stealth greyed out one or even a bowtie for the black white look you have going - lol). The black and white theme you have going there looks great.
Great job on the detailed write up - as always. Well documented with supporting pictures. I could not figure out how to line up the three top holes for drilling but it looks like you got that sorted
Cant wait for this COVID situation to settle down a bit so I can get back to my brothers shop and finish off mine as well.
Cant wait to see the new hood once you get that painted up white sith some black trim as well. Its going to look killer and should definitely all help in the cooling department.

 

[fatherpain]

Thank you Alan

Heh, yes that was the first thing that struck my mind seeing the badge holder installed... it decreases the air flow by 20%!!

Boosted180sx also suggests leaving it off. But since the car is driven around town 99.95% of the time, will likely keep it on.

With any luck, the open grill combined with a vented hood, plus the other cooling mods will combine to keep temperatures reasonable at the track when the weather gets warmer.. will see. But it is good to know there is 20% more air flow available if needed

Might look into an alternate color Honda badge as metal_driver suggested, heh .

Well done! Can't wait to see the finished product!

The badge holder alone seems to occupy 15-20% of the grille opening. Have you considered leaving it off? Maybe on track days?

 

[boosted180sx]

I love, love the look but for the price, fabrication, paint, and fitment issues it's not worth it to me. If the fitment was perfect I might consider it but for that price...no way.

As usual, you outdo yourself on the detailed steps FatherPain. However, I'm with xdecember guy on this one. For almost $800 (!!), I would have expected OEM level of fitment. That seems like a horror show and I don't understand why people continue to buy from J's racing.

that $800 doesn't include the emblem holder so your looking at closer to $1000 with the badge holder. It also doesn't come painted black so your looking at a few hundred on top of that also. Then bodywork if you want it fitting like OEM lol.

Way too much work involved. Doesn't look too bad with the emblem mount though. Much better with than without.

 

[fatherpain]

Thanks guys. The price is pretty ridiculous. At $875 with center emblem, the fitment should be spot on... unfortunately the one I received isn’t. Hopefully, I’ve been hosed and this is a one off... but guessing the majority are like this.

Information on the J’s grill was somewhat limited... So hopefully this thread will shed light on what to expect if someone decides to go this route.

Have wanted the J’s grill, the moment I saw it... Love the aesthetics and function... Still do.. Just didn’t know what all the hidden costs associated with it. Happy to share my experience to help, encourage or dissuade anyone considering this.

So far:
J’s Racing Grill + emblem holder = $875
Powder coat for mesh and metal strap = $40
Paint/clear coat = $180 estimate
Body shop work for fitment = TBD
PFF film and ceramic = TBD

I love, love the look but for the price, fabrication, paint, and fitment issues it's not worth it to me. If the fitment was perfect I might consider it but for that price...no way.

As usual, you outdo yourself on the detailed steps FatherPain. However, I'm with xdecember guy on this one. For almost $800 (!!), I would have expected OEM level of fitment. That seems like a horror show and I don't understand why people continue to buy from J's racing.

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