ok ive never really been into the lip kit and ground effect kits just because any kind of rub or bump will obviously crack them or screw up your kit ...but I broke down and decided to order one simply cause they make the car look hot, I guess ill just have to be extra careful how I drive.... ive tried looking for installation directions but havent found a thing....

whats the proper way to install these things...I bought the ionic lip kit... screws, double sided tape, etc..?? I have no clue...any help would be great, thanks

 

You don't need tape if you put it on correctly. two bolts for the front lip. you can use some stock location bolts/screwed for the sidea and rear. there is really no proper way to install lip kits. once you get it you will see how to do it. just use small 1/8" bolt with some nuts.

 

I only used tape for the middle section where it overlaps the front bumper. Bolts are used for the ends where they curve into the front fenders.

They are actually quite durable. Mine has been accidentally folded down against a parking lot concrete stop and didnt damage it other than paint scrape, and I even hit a gallon sized can of dried beans at 50 mph once and it did leave a crack but its still fine.

 

you must have a Stillen kit then.

Ionic kits are VERY durable but crack not scrape. or the gel coat chips off and the scrape turns white.

 

hmmmm .. ok .. anyone else wanna jump in

 

Yes, once you get the kit, you will get a better understanding on how to install it, on my stillen front lip, there are only two bolts holding it on, rather easy install.

 

yea once you get it you will see how to put it on. I actually put my side skirts on without taking the plastic off around the bottoms of the wheel wells

 

I would suggest screwing it into the bumper inside the wheel wells and using tape as well. I like the 3M tape, you can get it at AUtomotive paint supply shops. This is what I did to install my stillen kit:

1)Clean the bumper and surfaces to be taped.
2)Line up the kit, dryfit it and screw it into place--I used the mudflap holes inside the wheel wells and made some new holes in the front fender.
3) when it's all lined up, use blue painters tape or a removeable tape to mark the top of the body kit on the car. In other words, you are drawing a line with the tape so you know when the kit is lined up (more later...)
4) remove pieces, attach double sided tape, press really hard.
5) remove a few inches of the double sided tape, exposing what will attach it to the car, you might want to tape this tab down with the painters tape for ease.
6) Now, line up the body piece using the blue tape as a guide so you know it's straight (I told you you'd use it).
7) remove the double stick tape when everything looks good--a second person helps here, but you can do it alone like I did.
8) press just hard enough to "tack it" so you can reposition if necessary.
9) if it looks good and straight (measure with tools, not your eye) press firmly, enjoy.

Here's a pic, I dont have a better one and the lighting bites.. but hey. Good luck, it's easy if you get the prep done right.

 

gaps all over with an Ionic body kit Stillen is the best.

 

it must not have been installed properly

 

My Ionic front lip looked great but i ran up on a parking barrier while parking and the lip snapped like a twig

 

im not trying to argue with you but i did install the front lip correctly and there and gaps all over. have you seen one? they do snap like twigs also.

 

maybe it was warped some, out in the heat or who knows. Curious if you tried to put more screws where the gap was to eliminate it? or put double sided tape there?

the Ionics lips arent poly euro like stillen's. He states it FRP (something like that) which is suppose to be the next best thing but I've heard of many breaking/crushing theirs.

 

it's too stiff to bend around the side of the bumper and fender where the gap is. screws would look gay there and gap is too big for double sides tape.

 

I see. we'll guess I'll have fun when fitting mine

 

i have a 97-99 lip

 

from what i understood the Stillen kit was made more of a flexible material (polyurethane i think) vs. the Ionic. Therefore making it a bit more durable..

But i simply used 4 screws for my front lip and no tape so i could remove it easily when i needed too. But for the rest, screws and 3m tape did it for me..

 

yup good post Poowill

 

I hit something on the freeway a year ago that tore/enlarged the screw hole in the front bumper so now I have to use zip ties where you would normally use screws. But let's just assume you don't have that problem

Front: 3M tape + 2 screws (one on each side)
Each Side: 3M tape + 2~3 screws
Each Rear: 3M tape + 2 screws

Make sure to get the 3M Exterior (heavy duty) mounting tape, not the cheap regular type.

 

Yes, the "nascar approved" exterior car tape ha

 

3M tape = 1 hp for every 3.8 inches you use of it on your car.

 

I had the first front lip kit that Ionic made for the 4th Gen and I can say that the new ones or for lack of a better phrase the ones that were made after the prototype are a lot more flexible than the original one. I pulled too close up on a bumpstop and cracked my first one however i have since installed a new one and it holds up very well.

I have 4 screws holding mine up, 2 on the sides and 2 underneath the front, no gaps whatsoever.

 

When did you get the second one? like how many months ago? I wonder if i have the first prototype because mine can crack all the time. i like it though because the paint never chips like it could with a Stillen.

 

Anyway, after I threw away my lip since it was cracked....I heard that if you break your Ionic lip theyll send you a new one. I dont know if thats true or not but it sounds good to me. Oh yeah must I mention I had only just had it painted and on my car for about two weeks before it broke in half...200 bucks straight down the drain....now Im saving for a stillen kit...

 

good stuff guys .. thanks for all the input .. i guess we'll just have to see how it goes ... are you guys able to wash your car and scrub all around the kit with a scrub brush and not worry about it moving around and/or coming loose ?

 

WTF!? Microfiber or cotton chenille mitt only!!!!

And no, it will not come loose unless you use hulk-strength on it and by then I'm sure you'd already be damaging something else.

 

How else do you get all the bugs off?

 

So glad this thread was created.....I just ordered a stillen lip because of the sale they got going i had no idea what install was going to be like. Im glad i can use screws to hold it, i didnt wanna put 3M tape on, but i guess i'll have to see how the install goes...thanks for the help

 

I used screws on my ionics kit as well as glue... The white max they have is mine

http://www.ionicdynamics.com/newmaximakit.html
Mine is molded on tho

 

thanks for all the great info guys .. i cant believe there arent specific points or directions showing where to drill or to attach the kit though... no directions, screws, or hardware came with the kit .. what did u all use for screws..sizes, etc ??

 

its not that hard and pretty much common sense, double sided tape and some self taping screw, clean, prep, apply tape, and drill in the screws to hold it in place. screw by the fender, screw in the middle of the lip and screw in other places to give support and hold the lip on steady

 

I'm guessing you went with the Ionic kit (Stillen kit comes with mounting hardware). Just get a few small self tapping screws, maybe an inch or less in length. Drill holes with power tool and secure with screws.