TrueFlex Front bumper by ACI worth it???
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Instructor
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TrueFlex Front bumper by ACI worth it???
I want to paint my 85 in May and I'm making list of what needs done. I plan on putting a new front nose because it is warped horribly. I've seen the TrueFlex nose and it sounds good on the surface but when I researched the change over/install of TrueFlex on YouTube I get nothing for C4s. Now I'm worried. Anybody got first hand experience with these bumpers? Do they require body work to get them to fit well? Any info feedback is much appreciated.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,500
Likes: 879
From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I have the ACI front and rear bumpers on my 88, and just got their hood as well.
Short of it, yes, lots of body work if you want it perfect. Anything fiberglass requires some finesse. But the pieces themselves are nice. Im working on all this this winter. I am a boat guy so fiberglass is in my blood. If you are willing to learn or already have the tools and knowledge to work with it, its not bad.
In the front i had to modify the egg crate as the glass bumper wouldn't flex enough to install. Also brackets for the side lights need to be bonded on. Everything here is a file to fit finish. Lots of that type of work.
In the end its your decision. I had my own reasons for going this route. As I do the work this winter ill be adding pics to my thread in the General C4 section (Just for the hell of it).
Short of it, yes, lots of body work if you want it perfect. Anything fiberglass requires some finesse. But the pieces themselves are nice. Im working on all this this winter. I am a boat guy so fiberglass is in my blood. If you are willing to learn or already have the tools and knowledge to work with it, its not bad.
In the front i had to modify the egg crate as the glass bumper wouldn't flex enough to install. Also brackets for the side lights need to be bonded on. Everything here is a file to fit finish. Lots of that type of work.
In the end its your decision. I had my own reasons for going this route. As I do the work this winter ill be adding pics to my thread in the General C4 section (Just for the hell of it).
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,430
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From: Minneapolis Mn
About 18 months ago my 86 had a run-in with a Kia damaging the front bumper cover. The body shop had issues finding a replacement bumper cover of any type. The only fiberglass cover they could find was for the later C4's so it was the newer design. They ordered one, then sent it back as they said it was such poor quality to use. I spent over a month looking for an early C4 design bumper cover without success. I finally was able to find one in a salvage yard in good shape so that's what is on the car today.
That's my experience.
That's my experience.
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Instructor
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I have the ACI front and rear bumpers on my 88, and just got their hood as well.
Short of it, yes, lots of body work if you want it perfect. Anything fiberglass requires some finesse. But the pieces themselves are nice. Im working on all this this winter. I am a boat guy so fiberglass is in my blood. If you are willing to learn or already have the tools and knowledge to work with it, its not bad.
In the front i had to modify the egg crate as the glass bumper wouldn't flex enough to install. Also brackets for the side lights need to be bonded on. Everything here is a file to fit finish. Lots of that type of work.
In the end its your decision. I had my own reasons for going this route. As I do the work this winter ill be adding pics to my thread in the General C4 section (Just for the hell of it).
Short of it, yes, lots of body work if you want it perfect. Anything fiberglass requires some finesse. But the pieces themselves are nice. Im working on all this this winter. I am a boat guy so fiberglass is in my blood. If you are willing to learn or already have the tools and knowledge to work with it, its not bad.
In the front i had to modify the egg crate as the glass bumper wouldn't flex enough to install. Also brackets for the side lights need to be bonded on. Everything here is a file to fit finish. Lots of that type of work.
In the end its your decision. I had my own reasons for going this route. As I do the work this winter ill be adding pics to my thread in the General C4 section (Just for the hell of it).
Y front cover is warped badly. I assume that cant be corrected?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,500
Likes: 879
From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
so once you modified the egg crates I assume the bumper fit the hood well, correct? I don't mind doing body work although I haven't done any since I restored a 442 back in the day. If it is just getting things it of the way to fit or file for lights to fit I don't think that's bad. But if you have to transform a bumper made dimensionally wrong to fit the hood I not sure I'm spending the $750.
Y front cover is warped badly. I assume that cant be corrected?
Y front cover is warped badly. I assume that cant be corrected?
Ive heard people spend a ton of time and money trying to fix the Urethane bumpers with only minimal reward but i didnt try with mine. I have the front and rear factory ones still. The front was warped a bit but not too bad. Just didnt want to try to correct it.
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Instructor
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I dont have pics on this computer to post, but if you look for the thread "just for the hell of it" in the general C4 forum, at the bottom you will see a pic or 2 of what im currently working on.
Ive heard people spend a ton of time and money trying to fix the Urethane bumpers with only minimal reward but i didnt try with mine. I have the front and rear factory ones still. The front was warped a bit but not too bad. Just didnt want to try to correct it.
Ive heard people spend a ton of time and money trying to fix the Urethane bumpers with only minimal reward but i didnt try with mine. I have the front and rear factory ones still. The front was warped a bit but not too bad. Just didnt want to try to correct it.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,500
Likes: 879
From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: San Antonio Tx
When I painted mine six years ago the bumper cover was warped bad on the top side next to the hood. I foiund two pieces of 1/8" thick aluminum and sandwitched and
c-clamped the urethane. I Heated it with a heat gun to about 230-250 degrees and let it cool overnight. It looked like new and still looks good today.
c-clamped the urethane. I Heated it with a heat gun to about 230-250 degrees and let it cool overnight. It looked like new and still looks good today.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
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I dont have pics on this computer to post, but if you look for the thread "just for the hell of it" in the general C4 forum, at the bottom you will see a pic or 2 of what im currently working on.
Ive heard people spend a ton of time and money trying to fix the Urethane bumpers with only minimal reward but i didnt try with mine. I have the front and rear factory ones still. The front was warped a bit but not too bad. Just didnt want to try to correct it.
Ive heard people spend a ton of time and money trying to fix the Urethane bumpers with only minimal reward but i didnt try with mine. I have the front and rear factory ones still. The front was warped a bit but not too bad. Just didnt want to try to correct it.
Looking at the pic where you have the fiberglass front bu.per one- did you have to use filler to get to that stage or was that time consuming test fitting trials and some filling off? The fit looks nice at that point. Any improvemwnt to the top side of bumper to the hood (driver side)?
if to that point involves binding brackets for light brackets, filing light opening and mating surfaces to hood (not with fillers), and tedious fitting adjustments I might be up for that.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 172
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When I painted mine six years ago the bumper cover was warped bad on the top side next to the hood. I foiund two pieces of 1/8" thick aluminum and sandwitched and
c-clamped the urethane. I Heated it with a heat gun to about 230-250 degrees and let it cool overnight. It looked like new and still looks good today.
c-clamped the urethane. I Heated it with a heat gun to about 230-250 degrees and let it cool overnight. It looked like new and still looks good today.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,500
Likes: 879
From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Damn- one hell of a post!!!! You keeping g track of all the spend? AMAZI G JOB!
Looking at the pic where you have the fiberglass front bu.per one- did you have to use filler to get to that stage or was that time consuming test fitting trials and some filling off? The fit looks nice at that point. Any improvemwnt to the top side of bumper to the hood (driver side)?
if to that point involves binding brackets for light brackets, filing light opening and mating surfaces to hood (not with fillers), and tedious fitting adjustments I might be up for that.
Looking at the pic where you have the fiberglass front bu.per one- did you have to use filler to get to that stage or was that time consuming test fitting trials and some filling off? The fit looks nice at that point. Any improvemwnt to the top side of bumper to the hood (driver side)?
if to that point involves binding brackets for light brackets, filing light opening and mating surfaces to hood (not with fillers), and tedious fitting adjustments I might be up for that.
So far ive been adjusting the doors, hood and bumper to find the 'happy medium' before i start shaving or filing. Only issue really is gap at bumper to hood at left corner. Im waiting for some help again soon to do some more adjustments, then its game on. Everything has so many adjustments i just want to be sure before i add or take away anything.
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Instructor
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Thanks! And yeah i have every receipt since day one - never added them up - afraid to lol....
So far ive been adjusting the doors, hood and bumper to find the 'happy medium' before i start shaving or filing. Only issue really is gap at bumper to hood at left corner. Im waiting for some help again soon to do some more adjustments, then its game on. Everything has so many adjustments i just want to be sure before i add or take away anything.
So far ive been adjusting the doors, hood and bumper to find the 'happy medium' before i start shaving or filing. Only issue really is gap at bumper to hood at left corner. Im waiting for some help again soon to do some more adjustments, then its game on. Everything has so many adjustments i just want to be sure before i add or take away anything.
I gotta say I do like this TrueFlex option because you dont have to worry about any warping in the future. This car will be sitting out so I'm troubled painting the car with a slightly warped bumper (assuming I can straighten some) that will get worse (I assume). I plan on taking off the bumper and try straightening just because it seems interesting.
YOUR BUILD IS AWESOME! Not sure if you have any factory panels that need fiberglass/plastic repaired, if you do, I would be interested in know what you use. I have a small section of hood by the head light opening that looks like a screw driven got into it when someone tried prying the light to open. That's it for mine. Everything else is straightening by primer build up and sanding down. I will definitely follow your post!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,500
Likes: 879
From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
To me that seems pretty good. Do you think that can get closed up but removing material across the top front from left to right until it's tight? How did you se ure light brackets?
I gotta say I do like this TrueFlex option because you dont have to worry about any warping in the future. This car will be sitting out so I'm troubled painting the car with a slightly warped bumper (assuming I can straighten some) that will get worse (I assume). I plan on taking off the bumper and try straightening just because it seems interesting.
YOUR BUILD IS AWESOME! Not sure if you have any factory panels that need fiberglass/plastic repaired, if you do, I would be interested in know what you use. I have a small section of hood by the head light opening that looks like a screw driven got into it when someone tried prying the light to open. That's it for mine. Everything else is straightening by primer build up and sanding down. I will definitely follow your post!!!
I gotta say I do like this TrueFlex option because you dont have to worry about any warping in the future. This car will be sitting out so I'm troubled painting the car with a slightly warped bumper (assuming I can straighten some) that will get worse (I assume). I plan on taking off the bumper and try straightening just because it seems interesting.
YOUR BUILD IS AWESOME! Not sure if you have any factory panels that need fiberglass/plastic repaired, if you do, I would be interested in know what you use. I have a small section of hood by the head light opening that looks like a screw driven got into it when someone tried prying the light to open. That's it for mine. Everything else is straightening by primer build up and sanding down. I will definitely follow your post!!!
I took a break for a few weeks working on the car so i can adjust to my meds, so i havent done anything in a week or so...
Thread Starter
Instructor
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Ill see if i can dig some pics up. You use West System epoxy resin for bonding. To make it easy you can use their 610 cartridge. But dont use the static nozzles they give you. Just put however much you need in some tupperware (like when you buy pre cut ham in those containers - they work great and are reusable).
I took a break for a few weeks working on the car so i can adjust to my meds, so i havent done anything in a week or so...
I took a break for a few weeks working on the car so i can adjust to my meds, so i havent done anything in a week or so...
Many thanks for the pics. Put things I to perspective.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,500
Likes: 879
From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Seeing as how mine has been in the works since 2002 ive giving up on any kind of time frame lol.....But probably today i might try to get some things done. Been trying to come up with an idea for a air filter/ housing assy now that i have the hood. But engine so tall its become a challenge. The new hood didnt give me as much room as i thought it might!
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Seeing as how mine has been in the works since 2002 ive giving up on any kind of time frame lol.....But probably today i might try to get some things done. Been trying to come up with an idea for a air filter/ housing assy now that i have the hood. But engine so tall its become a challenge. The new hood didnt give me as much room as i thought it might!
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,500
Likes: 879
From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Ya that manifold is pretty tall. Any low profile manifold that matches the camshafts rmp range? Probably don't want to go too low on the air cleaner to where it messes with the flow I to the carb (which looks very nice). Do you know the inches between hood and carb when the hood is closed?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I want to paint my 85 in May and I'm making list of what needs done. I plan on putting a new front nose because it is warped horribly. I've seen the TrueFlex nose and it sounds good on the surface but when I researched the change over/install of TrueFlex on YouTube I get nothing for C4s. Now I'm worried. Anybody got first hand experience with these bumpers? Do they require body work to get them to fit well? Any info feedback is much appreciated.
I think there's good reason to find someone who HAS a "tru-flex" bumper to guage it's quality.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,500
Likes: 879
From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
This thread seems a bit off-track. I'll add that "Tru-Flex" was an idea first created by Toledo Pro Fiberglass (now defunct). When they sold out, ACI bought their molds. I didn't know they needed a front bumper mold for C4s, but maybe they did. I will say the Toledo Pro hood I bought was very very good as an aftermarket piece. Only one/two have bought the hood after sell-out. Now, back to the bumper. The idea behind the "Tru-Flex" was the bumper is supposed to be a bit more flexible. Turns out the reason for that is they use 1 less layer of fiberglass to build the part. That makes it lighter, and a bit more flexible. Possibly weaker though bumper "taps" might not rebound as easily with fiberglass. By contrast, fiberglass holds it shape better when hot (especiaally if 3 layers vs two in Tru-flex).
I think there's good reason to find someone who HAS a "tru-flex" bumper to guage it's quality.
I think there's good reason to find someone who HAS a "tru-flex" bumper to guage it's quality.
Both front and rear bumpers i bought were labled tru-flex and were advertised as such. As far as being thinner i dont know, but being around fiberglass my whole career, i can tell you that they are not very thin. They have great strength to thickness. They do flex to a point (which they say is bcause they use a different resin, but i dont believe that).
The hood itself is a great piece i will say. Impressed by it. Especially the underside - they did a great job with it.
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This thread seems a bit off-track. I'll add that "Tru-Flex" was an idea first created by Toledo Pro Fiberglass (now defunct). When they sold out, ACI bought their molds. I didn't know they needed a front bumper mold for C4s, but maybe they did. I will say the Toledo Pro hood I bought was very very good as an aftermarket piece. Only one/two have bought the hood after sell-out. Now, back to the bumper. The idea behind the "Tru-Flex" was the bumper is supposed to be a bit more flexible. Turns out the reason for that is they use 1 less layer of fiberglass to build the part. That makes it lighter, and a bit more flexible. Possibly weaker though bumper "taps" might not rebound as easily with fiberglass. By contrast, fiberglass holds it shape better when hot (especiaally if 3 layers vs two in Tru-flex).
I think there's good reason to find someone who HAS a "tru-flex" bumper to guage it's quality.
I think there's good reason to find someone who HAS a "tru-flex" bumper to guage it's quality.
It is my understanding there no other option for a NEW front bumper for C4s! Any art to correcting badly warped urethane bumpers please chime in. As of right now, Im aware of the heating g up between 2 flat pieces of aluminum and cooling slowly.