I have been thinking of switching out my replica gt2 front bumper for the techart since I already have the techart sideskirts. I have read all the posts in past threads on this issue, but wondered if I could have an update from those who have replicas and real in terms of problems they have had in cracking etc.... Also, if anyone is planning on selling an authentic techart in the near future let me know!

 

it's the difference between a perfect fitment and quality vs installation hell... I'm not joking either

 

from reading almost every techart front bumper install thread on this board, it seems even the factory ones aren't close to a perfect fitment. What has been the case in your experiences w/ them sharky. IT seems everyone says the real ones need a good amount of work.

 

Well I'll tell you this.. we won't put a fake one on anymore. Not the side skirts.. the fitment is really iffy at best and the fiber glass is real crappy to work with. The real ones haven't posed any problems when we've done them however, I've had people come in bringing what they were told "was" a real one only for it to be a fake Could be that or just that James is good at making things fit if they can actually be made to do so

 

You guys doing your own bodywork now? Been fun watching you grow (if only our raiders could do the same )

 

Without mentioning any names I am very unhappy with the amount of time and effort it took to have my techart (replica) bumper installed and made to look genuine. In the end after a month in the body shop it looks awesome. However if I had to do it over again I would have spent the money on the real deal. That is only my opinion!

 

depends on where you get the front replica techarts...

i would get the real one.. but i've heard that the real ones have serious fitment issues too.

for the sideskirts, only get the authentic ones...

 

angldrkns9,

Is yours from precision or the real one ? I got the front bumpers from Tony (precision) and it's been sitting in my garage for like 3 months now since shops are charging me an arm and a leg to fit, paint and install simply because it's not real.... I don't want to waste money on the labor so I'll wait a little while 'til I hear from somebody that it's a good bumper. Thoughts ?

 

mine is the replica from precision... regarding the fitment, my shop had no problems, the bumper fits fine but it's doesn't fit like OEM... the prep work on the bumper to get it painted wasn't that bad either even though my bodyshop had a hard time matching the seal grey color to the rest of my car... how much is your shop charging you?

i think the shop will charge just as much installing/paiting a real techart bumper... from what i heard, for the front bumper, the fitment and painting is approx the same....

 

I am not sure of the replica bumper, but the real bumper is a great piece and I had almost no fitment issues. As for replacing it as a DIY, it is time consuming, but the rewards of doing yourself is great...plus it looks great!
Here is link when I did my install.

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ad.php?t=44095

 

I can not comment on the replicas, but I have a "real" TechArt GTS Type II. It was not a bad fit, but it did take some modification...this is actually going to be true of almost any bumper replacement (even OEM) as there is variation in everything. My suggestion is to fit the bumper first then paint and install.

 

I appreciate the info.. THe issue of how much it will cost to fit and paint a replica as well as the possibility of damaging it are what I am debating. As in if I hit a driveway too quickly, a replica will more likely crack bc its fiberglass correct? My question is if a replica were to crack and the oem were to crack are they both as easily repairable?

 

uh.. i believe the real and replica are made of the same material.. both fiberglass... but one is 6-8k? and one is 2k?

since both are made of fiberglass, they will both crack when you hit something and fiberglass is repairable....

i acutally hit somebody with my replica techart a last month... rear ended him going 5 mph straight into his rear (he was stopped) (i will never try to txt message when driving in traffic again.. hehe) but the bumper acutally didn't crack and there was no visible damage... i was happy =)

if you have any questions about the replica techart, feel free to mesasge me on aim or msn, i sent you a pm with my info.

Jason

 

Actually all Techart parts are made from "Pu-Rim" material. Don't ask me what that is exactly though.

Actually just found this online:

http://www.ppl-crompton.co.uk/materials.htm

 

Heya Scott,

Thanks for saying that and although we try to just stick to performance stuff we do end up fitting some of the body parts, especially OEM GT2 conversions or Tech Art pieces. Mostly because the body shops around here aren't all that great/careful and end up doing a shoddy job The white widebody GT3-R we did was a challenge