DIY Network

Performance Add-Ons: Ground-Effects Kit, Final Assembly From "Weekend Mechanic" episode WKM-307

The final touch, a carbon-fiber custom hood, is installed on the Acura.

In this segment of DIY's Weekend Mechanic, host Bruce Bonebrake completes the installation of a ground-effects body kit on an Acura 3.2 CLS.

Materials:

In addition to standard auto-mechanic's tools (wrenches, ratchets, extenders, screwdrivers, nut-drivers, torque wrench, etc.), some of the specialty tools and materials used in this episode include a fiberglass ground effects kit, cold-air intake system with air filter and carbon-fiber laminate hood. An air-compressor and set of pneumatic tools (including a grinding wheel) is optional, but will be helpful for this project.

DIY Difficulty Rating for the Repair: This job is relatively straightforward, and requires little in the way of specialty tools. It should be easily within reach for most automotive do-it-yourselfers, though experience with automotive body work will be helpful. We gave this project a difficulty rating of 2 on a 5-point intermediate-level scale.

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Ground-Effects Kit: Final Assembly

With the fiberglass body panels back from the paint shop, and professionally painted to match our Acura, the final assembly can get underway. The newly painted panels must be allowed to dry fully before installation.

• Begin by installing the rear bumper-cover. Carefully raise the bumper cover into position (figure A).

• Check the fit for proper alignment. If the custom sanding and fitting done earlier was done properly, it should be a clean fit (figure B). Install the screws and fasteners to secure the bumper.

  Figure A

  Figure B

  
  

• With the fasteners in place, reinstall the taillights (figure C), making sure to reconnect the wiring harnesses.

• Reinstall the interior covers on the taillights and trunk opening (figure D).

  Figure C

  Figure D

  
  

• When reinstalling the rocker-panel cover, be certain to push the cover in all the way so that the holes drilled earlier align properly.

• Secure the side skirts with body-panel screws along the rocker panel(figure E) and at the wheel well (figure F). For some vehicles, you may have to remove the back wheels to install the wheel-well screws.

  Figure E

  Figure F

  
  

• Lift the front bumper-cover into position (figure G).

• Snap in the connectors (figure H), and install sheet-metal screws as necessary to secure the front bumper.

  Figure G

  Figure H

  
  

• As a final touch, and in addition to the body-kit elements, we installed a carbon-fiber hood on our Acura. To do this, we first removed the grill from the original hood (figure I), then removed the hood-shocks and hinge-bolts (figure J) so that we could remove the old hood.

  Figure I

  Figure J

  
  

  Figure K

• Then we installed the new carbon-fiber hood and transferred the original grill to the new carbon fiber hood (figure K).

Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection and ear protection, and follow proper safety precautions, when working with power tools. Also wear eye protection any time that you are working beneath a vehicle.

Safety Alert: As a standard safety precaution, don't rely solely on a jack to support the weight of a vehicle. When using a jack to access or work beneath a vehicle, always use jack stands for support.

RESOURCES :

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Trouble-Free Car Care
Author: Dan Ramsey
ISBN: 0028635833
Alpha Books

Auto Repair for Dummies
Author: Deanna Sclar
ISBN: 0764550896

Sport Compact Bolt-On Performance Guide: Import Cars (Sport Compact Bolt-On Performance Guides)
Author: Joe Pettitt
Order this book from Amazon.com.
Voyageur Press (October 2000)
ISBN: 1884089526