JP Polyurethane Body Kit

[Salmod]

Hi all - this is my first "proper" post, so go easy if I ask any stupid questions, I openly admit I'm a n00b at all this stuff!

For those that don't know, I've recently picked up a 2005 Honda Accord (Euro) 2.0i Auto. I think the stock look has a lot of potential, but needs to be more aggressive... When I say aggressive, bear in mind that I originally wanted to import a Mustang, before I decided it was waaaayyy too expensive and would give me way too much hassle - but looks wise, it definitely floats my boat so to speak...

Anyway, having looked around quite a lot, I've decided the JP kit is closest to the look I'm after at a reasonable price. After searching the forums, I think most people are aware of this kit and some of you guys even have it fitted, but just to avoid confusing, its this one here.

I've been in touch with JP direct, and they've been very patient and helpful, not pushy at all - all in all much better to deal with than any of the listed dealers I tried to contact. They've also sent me more photo's of the kit fitted to real life cars, which are at the bottom of this post.

Now I know the kit itself divides opinion a lot in terms of look. Seems to be a very much love it or hate it type affair. Anyway, I like the look of it so on that basis I'm willing to buy it; but the things I really want to know before going through the hassle of importing it are:

• How easy is the kit to fit? Does it bolt straight on like they say, or does it need a lot of skilled work?
• What do people think of the overall quality of the kit?
• Are there any special considerations for fitting a polyurethane kit vs fiberglass?
• How much does the kit reduce the ground the clearance of the car?
• Will this fit my Accord Euro the same as the TSX? (I'm 99% sure the answer here is yes, but just to be sure!)
• What is a reasonable price for the kit? And how much should I expect to pay for a professional fit/finish?
• In some pictures (JP website, white TSX below), the kit looks very clean and in some other pictures it looks quite obviously "bolted on" - is this down to luck on the actual kit I receive, or down to the way it's fitted?
• Long shot - can anyone recommend a good body shop to fit the kit in London (preferrably NW)?

Thanks in advance guys and gals - much appreciate any advice you can give!

Now for the pictures:

[kabuki-joe]

i have a cl7 accord as well and i always loved that kit...but to get it here in jamaica would cost me way too much. if u do get the kit let us know your thoughts on it

[Salmod]

Yeah it's very expensive to get it shipped over here as well - the x-rate keeps fluctuating so much as well, so that really doesn't help! But I really like the kit, and I think I'd probably have the only Accord in the UK with that kit (or at the very least in London), so I think it would be worth it

For sure, I'll let you know how I get on if/when I get the kit...

[endlesswinterco]

ugly, big and bulky IMO. but hey each to their own.

[ExclusiveTSX]

How easy is the kit to fit? Does it bolt straight on like they say, or does it need a lot of skilled work?

*Not to hard from what my buddies tell me. They installed it for me when I was up at college. A heat gun helps, they had to go buy one, but besides that they said it was pretty straightforward.

What do people think of the overall quality of the kit?

*I really like the quality of the kit, plus it's polyurethane which is awesome.

Are there any special considerations for fitting a polyurethane kit vs fiberglass?

*The kit does come bent so you need to let in unfold out in the sun, and also like I mentioned earlier a heat gun helps.

How much does the kit reduce the ground the clearance of the car?

*It's not extreme, but it seems to lower it a bit.

Will this fit my Accord Euro the same as the TSX? (I'm 99% sure the answer here is yes, but just to be sure!)

*Not positive, JP should know though.

What is a reasonable price for the kit? And how much should I expect to pay for a professional fit/finish?

*Expect to pay 850-950 USD shipped thats a pretty good price. Install should be free as long as you do it yourself, and paint can really vary. I choose to have my front and rear bumpers re-sprayed as well when I got mine done so I cant give you a really exact price on just the kit being painted, but 300-500 USD is pretty fair.

In some pictures (JP website, white TSX below), the kit looks very clean and in some other pictures it looks quite obviously "bolted on" - is this down to luck on the actual kit I receive, or down to the way it's fitted?

*It's a lip kit so it will always look somewhat "bolted on" but I find the kit to be pretty clean in person and get alot of compliments on it.

Long shot - can anyone recommend a good body shop to fit the kit in London (preferrably NW)?

*No clue.


Well good luck and feel free to pm me if you have anymore questions; you can also feel free to give me positive rep lol..

[code85]

That kit is too much for me. Looks like a Jay Leno chin to me, but hey as long as you like it.

[audioserf]

This kit really doesn't flow with the TSX, and is more at home on a Civic.

[Salmod]

Hey ExclusiveTSX, thanks a lot for all the info! Didn't even know about the rep feature lol, but I bumped yours now

JP quoted me a price of 841.50 USD for the kit itself. Shipping to the UK is 477 USD (with insurance), and then I have to pay import duty (4.5%) and VAT (15%) on the GBP total once it gets here. Very expensive business importing this thing! Shame the dollar x-rate isn't still over $2/£ like the good old days... Having looked around on the sites I could find it, I think the price JP are quoting is reasonable. Spoke to a friend who's imported stuff for a Trans Am he used to drive and he reckons the shipping cost is reasonable too.

Fitting wise, I'll just be getting someone to fit/paint it - I don't have any experience doing bodywork and don't have any time either (I get about one free afternoon a week these days after work and family commitments!). Labour over here is really expensive - I'm looking at 600 GBP (+VAT) for fitting and spraying, seems to be the same number I'm getting from all places I've spoken to.

Thanks to the other guys who commented too - always good to hear some opinions either way. Like I said originally, it seems to be very much a love it or hate it... I've looked at every other kit people normally mention, and while I quite like the Mugen kit, I can't justify that cost. I don't like any of the others (Euro R, A Spec, Kenstyle), but personally I do like this one. Sure it's a bit angular compared to most of them, but I think it gives the agressive look the lights/grill are asking for... I do have a suspicion it wont look as good in silver as it does on that white TSX I posted, or on Exclusive's TSX - very tempted to get my car sprayed white, but again I think that's out of my budget.

Anyway thanks again, will keep you all posted

[Salmod]

After much thought, I've decided to reconsider this... I do like the kit, but I don't think it suits silver so well and the more I look at my car since I got the new wheels, the more I like it as it is... Don't want to spend so much money unless I'm 100% sure!

I think I will just drop the car around 30mm and save up for the full Mugen kit (front bumper + side skirts + rear lip). I've dropped HeelToe and King Motorsports a line about the kit - any other recommendations on where to pick one up? If I get it, I want the real deal, not a replica...

[mclovintsx]

good call on the mugen.