S14 kouki VS. Zenki bumper retainer Q&A

[skate07]

So i read the excellent writeup by simple s14, and it answered almost all of my questions... But i still have a problem or two



1. Aside fron the grille brackets, how else do the zenki and kouki retainers differ... BECAUSE, when i tried to set the kouki headlight on the zenki retainer... it wouldnt sit "in" the pocket behind the retainer... ALSO, the bottom of the zenki light is flush whereas the kouki bottom is not flus hand pertrudes downward to hit the zenki retainer, but from pics, it doesnt look like the kouki bracket offers any more clearance for the underside of the headlight... So whats the deal???

2. is the kouki bumper reinforcement absolutely necesarry

3. Finally, as far as width is concerned... i mounted up the kouki hood onto the ALL zenki front end and the fenders were to close (Ie- the hood overlapped the zenki fenders/fitment on both sides)... So my Q is, do the kouki fenders need to be spaced further than the zenkis to clear the new wider kouk hood, or is my shit just jacked?

[skate07]

also, could someone please (since my car is 30 miles away) measure the zenki hood and the kouki hood at the same corner point near the headlights? the width please?

[nrg]

i dont understand what you're trying to do. It sounds like you want to use zenki fenders with kouki hood. How would you do this? the headlights are both different. the zenki and kouki upper retainers are both different, the design, bolt holes, clips, and mounting points for the Stays. Same goes for the bumper support. the retainer is designed to hold the bumper up against the headlights, without it; the bumper would be resting on the bumper support and sag.

nothing needs to be spaced, with the kouki fenders, the hood and headlights and bumper all lines up.

[skate07]

nono, im sorry, i am converting to kouki, BUT i put jsut the kouki hood on to center it between the zenki fenders, and work fro mthere as to be aligned correctly, BUT the hood overlapped the fenders on both sides.

i understand the purpose and use of the support and reinforcement, im going to be using both, but i was wonderign if there were clearance or agnular differences i nthe s14 kouki and zenki (black bar) retainers.. because the bottom of the zenki headlight is flat, whereas the bottom of the kouki is not

[swift_style]

will I think he's doing a kouki front in conversion on a s14 zenki model. If you have everything already ie: hood, bumper, fenders, headlights. All you'll need is that bumper reinforcement bar because the zenki vs the kouki bumper support, the kouki one sits differently.

[nrg]

Originally Posted by skate07

nono, im sorry, i am converting to kouki, BUT i put jsut the kouki hood on to center it between the zenki fenders, and work fro mthere as to be aligned correctly, BUT the hood overlapped the fenders on both sides.

i understand the purpose and use of the support and reinforcement, im going to be using both, but i was wonderign if there were clearance or agnular differences i nthe s14 kouki and zenki (black bar) retainers.. because the bottom of the zenki headlight is flat, whereas the bottom of the kouki is not

what's the point of putting the kouki hood with zenki fenders? were you bored? why not do it all when you get the right parts? it's like doing a double job for nothing. The reason why the hood overlaps the fender is because the zenki fender is designed to be used with zenki hood.

there's no reason to play the "guessing game" when you dont even have ALL the right parts in the first place

[skate07]

Originally Posted by nrg

what's the point of putting the kouki hood with zenki fenders? were you bored? why not do it all when you get the right parts? it's like doing a double job for nothing. The reason why the hood overlaps the fender is because the zenki fender is designed to be used with zenki hood.

there's no reason to play the "guessing game" when you dont even have ALL the right parts in the first place

i have every part needed, but as i wrote earlier, i wanted to install each part individually so that theres no guessing game when it goes to aligning. Quit making a big deal of it I have heard of people not usign the bumper retainer, so i wanted to check my notes.

In all simplicity, i think we are not connecting on the right points here. All im asking, is if aside fro mthe mounting points, is the kouki bumper reinforcement shaped differently... here, let me make a diagram..




so what im trying to figure out, is if this is natural, or i have a bigger problem.

and my point with the kouki hood overlapping was that i think the whole kouki front end is about 2 inches wider than the zenki, and if it is, im in luck, and not fucked. But basically, i was starting the conversion, but soon after got worried and stopped..

[projectRDM]

This is the stupidest thread yet.

Of course the Kouki hood is wider, we all know this. You can even look at the tops of the Kouki fenders and see they flare out while the Zenki fenders are completely flat against the hood's edge. That alone answers that question, something you could have done visually in ten seconds.

The bumper support brackets are longer on the Kouki, again something you can see visually just by looking at it. The Kouki's nose is longer, how would it account for that if the support was the same length? The upper retainer is different as well since it bolts to the support at an angle, while on the Zenki support it's straight.

All of these differences can be seen with your eye, and none of it would matter if you just fit all the parts at once. Trying to align a hood before the fenders are in place is just fucking retarded, the hood's alignment depends on the fenders, not the other way around. Mount the fenders, align them to the door/rocker panel, then mount the hood.

[skate07]

Of course the Kouki hood is wider, we all know this.

oh, i guess im not in the know...


like i said, my car is at a shop 30 miles away, i cant exactly go out in the garage and look at it whenever i please, ... But in the midst of your dickhead response, you did answer my questions, os thanks ... i guess

[pbcstylez]

ive got the perfect picture to end this thread! just hold!

[pbcstylez]

If you look in these pics, I have kouki fenders on, and a zenki hood. The kouki hood is about 2-3 inches wider at the front and middle than the zenki.

This is the reason why your kouki hood is overlapping your zenki fenders.

You also need to change the bumper support to the kouki one, do not try to salvage and force the zenki one to fit. Devonkyle77 or somethin has one for sale dont cheap out and just buy the right parts.

Hope this helps

[pbcstylez]

Originally Posted by skate07

i have every part needed, but as i wrote earlier, i wanted to install each part individually so that theres no guessing game when it goes to aligning. Quit making a big deal of it I have heard of people not usign the bumper retainer, so i wanted to check my notes.

In all simplicity, i think we are not connecting on the right points here. All im asking, is if aside fro mthe mounting points, is the kouki bumper reinforcement shaped differently... here, let me make a diagram..




so what im trying to figure out, is if this is natural, or i have a bigger problem.

and my point with the kouki hood overlapping was that i think the whole kouki front end is about 2 inches wider than the zenki, and if it is, im in luck, and not fucked. But basically, i was starting the conversion, but soon after got worried and stopped..

Problem here is I believe you are confusing yourself bet. bumper reinforcement and retainer/support.

The zenki reinforcement can be made to fit the kouki front end, while on the other hand the retainer/support will not be able to work with the mounting points, they are all misaligned which i believe your drawing states.

[skate07]

THANKS A BUNCH^^^^ threadZZZ overzz!11