Body Kits (FAQ)
From Nissan 350Z & 370Z Wiki
GENERAL
I have a 2006 350Z, can I install a body kit made for a 03-05 model?
That depends. Side skirts and rear fascia pieces are interchangeable between all model years. The front fascia is what separates the 03-05 from the 06. If the body kit you are looking at completely replaces the OEM fascia, then a kit designed for the 03-05 can be fitted to an 06. But, if the kit is designed to be attached to the existing fascia (such as a front lip), then an 03-05 kit will not be compatible with a 2006 model.
Can a body kit designed for the coupe be used on a roadster?
For the most part, yes. Basic front and rear fascia, front lips and side skirts can be used with either model. There are certain full or wide-body kits that are not interchangeable. If in doubt, check with the original manufacturer.
Can a wing/spoiler designed for the coupe be used on a roadster?
Most flush mounted wings/spoilers are not interchangeable between coupe and roadster. Yet, many pedestal mounted wings can be used with either model.
Can I mix and match body kit components?
In general, yes. Most body kit manufacturers sell their kits as individual components for this very reason. You can use the front fascia from one kit with the side skirts from another kit matched with the rear fascia of a third kit. Obviously personal tastes will decide if certain pieces [i]should [/i]be mixed on the same car. There are a couple of notable exceptions. Widebody kits are intended to be used as a whole and usually cannot be broken up into component parts. Also aftermarket front lips cannot be mated to aftermarket front fascias. Bear in mind, that with a skilled installer (and enough money) all things are possible.
Should I buy a knock-off kit?
A knock-off kit typically is a replica of a name brand kit costing a significant amount more. Though going with a knock-off can save a great deal of money, it definitely is a "buyer beware" market. Before purchasing a knock-off familiarize yourself thoroughly with the genuine article. From there you can make a more informed decision regarding your purchase.
Do body kits improve aerodynamics?
In most cases, no. Most body kit makers simply do not possess the knowledge or economic resources to perform the necessary wind tunnel (or CFD based) testing. The vast majority of bodykits, wings and spoilers are purely cosmetic and any additional aerodynamic benefit (or detriment) are completely accidental. With that said, one notable exception would be C-West, which does perform some level of aerodynamic design and testing on their products.
MATERIAL
Body kits come in infinite shapes, sizes, and qualities. However there is only a handful of material selections and each has pros/cons. Read over each type below to see what you prefer.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is cheap to work with, and the end quality of this material is all over the place. You can find very high quality pieces made of fiberglass, and on the other hand you can find pure junk made out it. This is a result of its 'easy of use' in manufacturing. It is the least forgiving of all the materials and is very prone to cracking. However, fiberglass can usually be repaired fairly easily with off-the-shelf repair kits. Of course repaint would be required after a repair.
FRP
Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic is just as the name implies: a plastic that is strengthened by fiberglass. This is the most typical material found in 'quality' body kits. It is more resistance to cracking and breaking that fiberglass alone. It is cost efficient to work with and is repairable.
ABS
It is rare to find body kits in ABS, but they do exist.
Urethane
Urethane, or variants of it, is a great material to use for body kits. It is the most flexible of all the materials, and is what most auto manufacturers use for their OEM bumpers. Urethane is forgiving if you hit something. It will give several inches before it rips.
Carbon Fiber
Carbon fiber comes in two variants: Dry and Wet. CF became popular for its high strength to weight ratio. In other words, it is very strong, while being very light. This is very desireable in the automotive world.
Kevlar
Kevlar has become known mostly for its use in bulletproof vests. It has amazing properties.
ABOUT CARBON FIBER
The line gets very blurred when speaking of Carbon Fiber pieces. It comes in many flavors:
Dry Carbon
This is the best of the best. And with that title comes the high price tag. Dry Carbon is lightweight, extremely strong. Expect to pay around $3-4k for a dry carbon hood.
Wet Carbon
This is good, but not the best. It is heavier than Dry Carbon, and not nearly as strong. Expect this kind of carbon to run $1500+ for a hood.
Fiberglass w/Carbon
This is the cheap stuff. You get either handlaid fiberglass (or worse chop / sprayed fiberglass) as the filler, then a single layer of carbon cloth for the *look*. This is mostly what you will get because people do not want to invest in the good pieces. A hood built with this method will run $1k or less. I bought a Seibon hood and it is pure junk.
INSTALLATION
Can I install a body kit myself?
If you are asking this question, then the answer is probably no. High quality kits (particularly uerathane ones) can be fitted by an amateur who is comfortable with the basics of bodywork. While most fiberglass kits will require a level prep that is beyond the skill level of the average hobbyist. In either case painting of all body parts should be left to a qualified professional.
How much to prep and paint a full kit ?
This question has alot of answers. Every body shop you go to will quote you a different price. I have seen quotes from 150 to 700$ for a spoiler mounted and installed.
However, pricing does not always reflect quality. Sometimes it does though.
How much to prep and paint piece XXX ?
Is sanding needed ?
Proper surface prep is definitely necessary. Some body kit parts get popped out of the mold and shipped as-is. This leaves mold release residue that paint does not like to stick to.
Some companies go through the trouble of prepping and priming the parts, and a simple cleaning is all that is needed before final paint.
Can I buy a body kit pre-painted?
With few exceptions, no. Since typical body kit installation requires a fair amount of surface prep, bonding and drilling, pre-painted parts are either impractical or impossible for the manufacturer to offer. Not to mention, paint matching is also an issue. There are exceptions. Some smaller aero parts (lips and spoilers) can be found pre-painted.
Why does my kit not fit perfect?
There are several reasons for this. The most common being poor manufacturing quality. Due to the nature of the materials, some distortion will occur when the part is released from the mold. Even if the maker of the bodykit is of first-rate quality.
Another reason is that each individual vehicle's chassis flexes and twists over time, making no two 350Zs exactly alike. Not to mention that each body panel has some degree misalignment when installed from the factory. These slight differences can add up to some significant fitment issues. Choosing a skilled installer and selecting a kit from a reputable vendor will go a long way to correcting these problems.