The previous owner did something the the lower grille and all I know is the horizontal plastic bar in the middle was taken out. He must have had fog lights installed or something. Anyway, I wanted to do something in the lower grille area.
After some researching, I decided to get a piece of mesh grille and cut out the right size to custom fit the lower grille area. I found a good deal at
customcargrills.com - Custom Car & Truck Grills - Billet & Mesh Grill Inserts and bought a Small Diamond Grill Mesh Sheets (6" X 36") with Neoprene Rubber Edge Trim (10 ft.).
And then I ran into some problems, totally unrelated problems. I changed the engine oil and noticed the engine oil leak. The next day, I took it to my mechanic. He told me I should probably change the gasket under the value cover, but when he open up he found out one of the pice on the head where bolt goes in to hold the value cover was broken off and that is why there was a leak. Basically I had to replace the head. It will cost $1800 for just the part from the dealer. I luckly found a reconditioned used part from eBay for $400 and he installed it. He charged me $1000 for the labor. He said I had to break in the motor as if it was new. So, I waited a little bit and I hit the vtec for the first time today and it felt good.
Meanwhile, the mesh grille came and I wanted to install it so bad. So, I install the mesh grille first thing I got back my Prelude. I first made a paper template and then cut out the mesh grill. I put on the black rubber trim and used 3-M tape with adhesive promoter. Some spots I had to use the crazy glue to make it stick good.
I also bought 4 flexible LED strip light from eBay and stuck it behind the grille. I was thinking about putting the light in the front, but I thought it looked too riced out.
I also couldn't stand my muffler, Thermal Research cat-back, being too loud espicially on the highway which I have to drive at least an hour everyday. So, I went to the Meineke and they did the custom job using their parts for $290. There also was a leak in the resonator, so they changed the resonator and the muffler. But I ended up with skinny metal tip. So, I put on 3" rectangular stainless steel muffler tip. I am sure I lost some horse power, but it was so minor that I couldn't really tell.
I am happy with the look. What do you think?
It could be worse. Its probably the best ghetto-fab grille Ive seen. I would definitely lose the lights behind it though or at least don't drive with them on. Your going to get pulled over if you do, and worse your going to blind people in the other lane.
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