New guy here...already ran into problems with my A33

I've been "lurking" here for a little while and finally decided to make the push and just register already because I have questions of my own and wish to share my progress.

A bit about me....I live in the Seattle area and have done multiple project cars in the past, but mostly high horsepower beasts or drifters...my most recent being a 1990 Eagle Talon TSi AWD and the one before that being a 1991 Eagle Talon TSi AWD....so I know my way around an engine bay, but I wanted to take a different approach.

I originally wanted to have a Y33 platform to modify but later decided to go with an A33.  Yes, I know it's not a TRUE VIP platform, but something about it reminds me of a mini-Q45.
 
Anyways, long story short....I'm glad I finally joined and I'm excited to share my journey with you all.


That being said...I did already run into a problem....I purchased a grille that stated it was specifically for the A33....when I compared it with my stock grille, it is much taller and much wider.  Looking at the mounting bolts on the back, they are somewhat in the same spot, but there is absolutely NO WAY for the grille to fit, even if you were to cut all of the mounting tabs off.  And there's no way the hood would even close IF the grille COULD fit!

I was looking at the grille more closely and it looks like it is a Y33 grille...it's the same size and general shape as the Y33...on the box it came it, it says 2001 A33 printed right on it....but there's no way it could be for an A33.  I've included a picture below....can anyone help me out on this?


[img]http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/9607/20110310121022984.jpg[/img]

It's not a Y33 grille for certain. There's every possibility that the A33 in Japan uses a different hood, which looking at the grilles, must be the case.

That's the JDM one.

You technically didn't buy the wrong grille but the I30 has a few changes to the front end. I'm unsure why but there were two styles to the front end of the cefiro and one is referred to as the Excimo... I'm not a doctor, but below is the grille you have I think...

[IMG]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3092/3143694830_21f9deb308.jpg[/IMG]

Wow....looks like there were quite a few changes to the front end.  Guess there really are no options except going with an I35 grille....or buying a whole JDM front end. :pat:

Yea I really don't know much about them but the A33 has like 3 or 4 front end styles (if you count maximas)

Super confusing since it's only a span of like 4 years.

[QUOTE=4DGS;376135]Yea I really don't know much about them but the A33 has like 3 or 4 front end styles (if you count maximas)
 
Super confusing since it's only a span of like 4 years.[/QUOTE]
 
I'm wondering how much work it would be to modify the hood to accomodate the grille.  I don't even know if the hood would close because of the bumper though.