Quick DIY fix for front bumper/hood underbite after FMIC install

[jeff]

I was reading another thread yesterday and realized that many of us have this issue after FMIC and/or big mouth install - the bumper cover doesn't quite fit correctly, there is a gap and it looks like an underbite or a barracuda sort of because the bumper cover sticks out a bit more than it should. I was at a car meet yesterday and I've noticed 4 different STs locally that have this issue. So it's common.

To fix this problem you can use zip ties to pull the bumper up a bit, eliminating the gap and making the bumper even with the hood once again. I did this a few months ago and it worked well.

For the picture below I used yellow zip ties to point to the areas where I actually used black zip ties, 2 for extra strength in 2 different places is all you need.

Hosted on Fotki

Hosted on Fotki

 

[Flaco]

Sweet thanks for the tip Jeff !

 

[DaveG99]

I dont think I have this problem. At least I dont notice it. And I'm pretty anal about my car

 

[melhead]

I have this issue, i will try this. Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[PhoenixM3]

I was reading another thread yesterday and realized that many of us have this issue after FMIC and/or big mouth install - the bumper cover doesn't quite fit correctly, there is a gap and it looks like an underbite or a barracuda sort of because the bumper cover sticks out a bit more than it should. I was at a car meet yesterday and I've noticed 4 different STs locally that have this issue. So it's common.

To fix this problem you can use zip ties to pull the bumper up a bit, eliminating the gap and making the bumper even with the hood once again. I did this a few months ago and it worked well.

For the picture below I used yellow zip ties to point to the areas where I actually used black zip ties, 2 for extra strength in 2 different places is all you need.

Hosted on Fotki

Hosted on Fotki

It looks like you’ve disabled your hood’s prop rod with the left tie wraps....

 

[jeff]

It looks like you’ve disabled your hood’s prop rod with the left tie wraps....

Yessir, I have installed hood struts so the prop rod isn't needed!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYS0BM0xhcM

[video=youtube;pYS0BM0xhcM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYS0BM0xhcM[/video]

 

[TDavis]

I can see this being an issue with the earlier gen big mouths but why a bigger FMIC?

 

[jeff]

I can see this being an issue with the earlier gen big mouths but why a bigger FMIC?

Some of them fit pretty tight and don't allow the bumper to sit the way it did before installed.

 

[miguel.in.az]

What intercooler are people running that pushes the bumper out so far? My DEPO was a tight fit underneath but I left out one of the lower support brackets. Bumper fits fine and no underbite

 

[Sekred]

I was reading another thread yesterday and realized that many of us have this issue after FMIC and/or big mouth install - the bumper cover doesn't quite fit correctly, there is a gap and it looks like an underbite or a barracuda sort of because the bumper cover sticks out a bit more than it should. I was at a car meet yesterday and I've noticed 4 different STs locally that have this issue. So it's common.

To fix this problem you can use zip ties to pull the bumper up a bit, eliminating the gap and making the bumper even with the hood once again. I did this a few months ago and it worked well.

For the picture below I used yellow zip ties to point to the areas where I actually used black zip ties, 2 for extra strength in 2 different places is all you need.

Hosted on Fotki

Hosted on Fotki

Thats interesting, the Euro version uses Torx screws.

 

[apex1]

It sounds like the Depo FMIC might require some fiddling to get it to fit. Does anyone know if the Whoosh FMIC is an easy bolt-in where all OEM parts and fasteners can be used without panel alignment issues?