DIY: Polyurethane front lip install(quick and dirty)
 

Quick and dirty front lip install, polyurethane front lip.(pic 1) Disclaimer holes may/will be drilled into your lip and bumper do at your own risk, and no, NO fitment will be perfect if you’re not confident in your own skill take it to your local body shop.
Tools required, drill, auto punch, sockets and wrenches, screwdriver philips and flat head, mounting tape, blue painters tape (tape measure if your ocd), etc. optional additional bolt nuts and washers.
This is my first diy so it will be quick and dirty. (My 8 did not have the oem front lip, but I’m sure it’s easier just remove and replace kind of thing.) Start by washing the car or at least the front bumper/ lip. Next test fit, you can measure if you want to get as close to perfection as possible and then tape it to the bumper more tape the better it stays on, don’t forget to use the mounting tape for the length that touches the bumper.(highlighted area pic 2) After it was lined up to my liking I used the included brackets and some bolts I had laying around( I didn’t trust the little screws they included).( pic 3) I used the preexisting bolts that hold on the air damn to hold one side of the brackets and used an auto punch to mark where I needed to drill the bottom of the lip(pic 4). I chose the further out most bolts on the left and right side. And the bolts just to the left and right of the center rotor triangle accent (pic 5)

Now proceeded to take off the front bumper (https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-...emoval-164596/) once off front lip will be held in place by the tape, like I said the more tape the better(pic 6). Proceed to place a blanket or drop cloth on the floor as to not scratch the bumper or lip. Drill out the holes for the 4 brackets starting with a small drill and working your way up till the bolt fits thorough (or if you decided to use the included screws just screw them in place loosely so you can adjust later). If there are gaping issues you can use a VERY short neck self setting screws the go through the back side of the bumper into the uppermost part of the lip be extremely care full and measure to make sure to not go through above the lip for an unsightly hole (mine looked good enough that I did not need to use this method).

EDIT: added photos of the larger brackets

Once the holes are drilled, hand tighten the nuts to the bolts holding the bracket on the inner part of the lip(so you can’t see it )(pic 7). Start to slowly re-install the bumper making sure to put the plastic screws in the wheel well in place first for the lip will cover them, once the bumper is in place, alien the four brackets with the bolts that hold the air dam in place before tightening everything make sure the bumper still looks aligned if not try to readjust and put more tape to hold it in place. Tighten down everything, once everything is tight turn the wheel left so you can get in there to put the mounting screw in place (pic 8) and repeat for the other side. and your done, now clean everything up and remove any extra tape. The last three pics are how mine looked when I was done .

Can you put up a photo of where the 2 longer brackets were mounted?
Great write up other than that, thanks!

put some up, its the one on the right while looking at the car

Thanks Sonic.
Did you get yours painted yet?

I never used the brackets, just two screws and 3mm double sticky tape

welcome and no not yet, it might be a couple of months before I have enough pennies :(

I tried that but it came off before I could even clean up, and there was a huge gap all the way around :dunno:

A local shop here in California painted the lip for 65$ It shouldn't cost you too much at all. A little more/less than 1 tank of gas for the 8 :)

my plan is to have the entire front bumper resprayed it needs it :tear:
plus i have other bill that need to be payed off first, but that sounds like a nice price