Front Strakes / Fog Light Strakes just installed
 

Hi all,

I've just installed my fog light strakes that I've been wanting for an age and a day.
I bought them from www.rx8strakes.com which included the grilles at an extra cost.
The grille comes with instructions on how to remove the bumper, and install the grille. The cut out template for the grille should be used as a guide only. You'll have to fine tune it later.

The front bumper had to be removed first. I had put a rag around the sides to keep it from scratching the rest of the car.


There are two clips next to the indicator lights that needed a little yanking to pop them out.


The fog light and indicator light connectors needed a good hard push at the back of the connector to unclip them.


I didn't disconnect the hose to the headlight washers 'cause I thought it would be too hard to put it back. It took me about 1hr to take it off cautiously.

The grille came as a big rectangular sheet that I had to cut to fit around the fog lights. This was a tedious job. I wish the grill came pre-cut. There was a company that used to make a fine set called DLS. Sadly, he went out of business.

I found it easiest to use the included template for an initial cut out. I gave myself a little extra grille margin on the side opposite the fog light, then screw the grille on with two screws, then place the fog light up against the grille to see how it fits and to cut out the bits to make it fit.

You might find yourself with too much space between the grille and the fog light so just unscrew and move the grille over by one hole; hence giving yourself a little margin for error earlier. You can always cut more but you can't replace what you cut off.

(The first three pictures are of the right fog light (non-oil cooler side), and the 4th picture is of the left fog light. note cable tie on one corner.

The non-oil cooler side was a little trickier. The blank black box inside was tricky to remove so take some pictures before removing so that you can put it back in order. It is intertwined with the fog light. That said, it is not hard to figure it out. On this side, the grille had to be cut to shape so that it can fit inside the blank box, but be careful to leave a little excess around the edges so that the grille can still use the edges for support and to be able to attach a cable tie to on the bottom outside corner. This was a tricky part but I used the included plastic loop that came with the kit, upside down on the retaining screw (else it won't fit) and tied the cable tie (also included) to it, tightening the cable tie after screwing it all down. Tip: have less slack on the head end of the cable tie so that you can tighten it, else it will bite the grille and you won't be able to tighten it after screwing it all down.

Installing the strakes were pretty self evident. Just line them up with the bottom edge of the fog light cut out area.


It took me about 2-3 hrs more to install the grilles and strakes, checking their alignment with the bumper back on, changing the position of the strakes and putting the bumper back.

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...525aMedium.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...524aMedium.jpg
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s...523aMedium.jpg

I used to have the front strakes installed, but I needed change... I really like them though!