Review: Shine Aero Project - S14 JDM Kouki Front Spoiler

[mmdb]

I've been looking for a front lip for my s14 kouki which has a jdm front bumper on it. The market to find this part only gives 3 options: greddy front lip, oem, and c-west. All 3 of which have been extremely hard to find in my case. Fortunately, a few monthes back I saw a front lip that was advertised on ebay, and discussed here http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=94512&highlight=c-west. Feeling excited that I've finally found a lip for my car I contacted Ken, the owner of Shine Aero Project, and decided to drive to Ontario, check the fitament, and if ok then purchase it.

Just to note, the company, Shine Aero Project, manufactures and sells aftermarket aero for various cars, mainly JDM cars.

Once I arrived I test fitted a 3 different lips, all of which were coud not fit properly and opted to not purchase. The problem was that the fitament along the outter edges of the bumper were too short on the lip. I noted this to Ken, and he decided the spoiler could be lengthed on both sides to provide better fitament. Although I didn't go home with a lip, I was glad to know he was going to make the necessary changes.

Recently, Ken contacted me again after a few weeks and told me the lip fitament had been resolved. I then went ahead and paid another visit to the Shine Aero and did another test fit. Pleasantly, the lip fit without any issues that were prior.

There is only but a minor problem as any aftermarket bodykit there's always some sanding, bondoing, etc. involved to get the right fitament, BUT with this spoiler there involves MINOR sanding along a few edges from what I can see, which will allow nice fitament. Also, the material (Fiber Reinforced Plastic) they used allows for greater flexibility and fitament. I could easily dropkick the spoiler and it'll be ok. I'm sure you guys have seen bodykits actually shatter on the track, and I think this material will be able to absorb impact much better.

In summary, I thought Shine Aero did a great job of backing their product. They were quick to note problems and troubleshoot them, rather than dismissing the issues. I think it speaks a lot for a business when they're willing to go out of their way to make sure their products satisfy.

Here's some pictures the spoiler on my car...

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y259/mmdb/Misc/liponground.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y259/mmdb/Misc/f.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y259/mmdb/Misc/e.jpg

Had to hold the lip on with my finger so it wouldn't fall off.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y259/mmdb/Misc/c.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y259/mmdb/Misc/b.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y259/mmdb/Misc/a.jpg

[FRpilot]

nice post. your car is on my background from one of the pics i got off on fa's picture thread. i thought you had a greddy lip.

i was just wondering, what are the sizes and offset of your lmgt4

[FaLKoN240]

That lip looks koo. . . I'm not one for adding lips and such to already aggressive kits.

[S14DB]

Looks like a C-west knock off...

[mmdb]

nice post. your car is on my background from one of the pics i got off on fa's picture thread. i thought you had a greddy lip.

i was just wondering, what are the sizes and offset of your lmgt4

Thanks for the kind words. They're 18 x 8.5 in the front with 25 offset and 18 x 9.5 in the rear with 30mm offset. They were designed to fit the Nissan Z so they're availible at all Nissan dealerships.

Yeap, that's a c-west copy lip.

[holaback]

There's more then just 3 options but all the other ones aren't exactly well known in the US market.

[KOUKI KA-T]

Looks pretty good.
I think that lip might flow better w/ the US stock kouki sides. More options are good though.

[240shorty]

Hey mmdb, I emailed these guys inquiring about pricing on sides only for my Zenki. They quoted 275 plus 60 shipping. I really need some sides. I can afford to go with Bomex quality or even more expensive, but I'm a little hesitant to shell out for Brand names if I can get good quality at a lower price point. At the same time, I've been burned by sideskirt fitment before. I inherited Invader (Ebay quality) sides with my car. They were about 1/2" short in length and approx 40 degrees angle differnce between front and back. My question: Would you be confident in the quality and fitment of the sides from Shine Aero? I can't drive to Ontario to test the fitment on mine first.

[mmdb]

Looks pretty good.
I think that lip might flow better w/ the US stock kouki sides. More options are good though.

I think you're right. If anyone's intrested in the lip I'd be willing to sell it. Send a PM if you want it.

[mmdb]

Hey mmdb, I emailed these guys inquiring about pricing on sides only for my Zenki. They quoted 275 plus 60 shipping. I really need some sides. I can afford to go with Bomex quality or even more expensive, but I'm a little hesitant to shell out for Brand names if I can get good quality at a lower price point. At the same time, I've been burned by sideskirt fitment before. I inherited Invader (Ebay quality) sides with my car. They were about 1/2" short in length and approx 40 degrees angle differnce between front and back. My question: Would you be confident in the quality and fitment of the sides from Shine Aero? I can't drive to Ontario to test the fitment on mine first.

I feel that their kits fit much better than other products. A benefit of their material is that it can stretch and be pulled here and there to allow better fitament. I tried the sides you referred to and they fit on initially without hesitation. I did think that a little sanding could allow for nicer fitament.
I went ahead and test fitted their sideskirts too. Shine Auto has a lot pictures of my car with the fitament so you can take a look to make a better decision. Hope I helped.

[DoriftoSlut]

1.) "Fiber Reinforced Plastic" is a fancy term for Fiberglass. The fibers they use are pulled from extruded glass aka Fiberglass mat/weave, and resin used is polyurethane (laminating resin... the "plastic" part) with MEKP hardner. Its the typical use of words people wanna hear FRP or Fiber Reinforced plastic makes people wanna think its some ABS plastic part impregnated with fibers for strength or something. Reality: its just plain old "junky" fiberglass. (everyone thinks fiberglass is so junky but when done right its very very strong and COULD be very flexible if you used flexible resin (more expensive) like Works 9 aerokits etc...)

2.) I know its nitpicking, but "Fitment", not "Fitament".

3.) That lip looks good on your car, i dunno why you'd want to sell it.

4.) Maybe when the GTR comes to USA we'll finally get GTR-Sized LM-GT4s.

[mmdb]

1.) "Fiber Reinforced Plastic" is a fancy term for Fiberglass. The fibers they use are pulled from extruded glass aka Fiberglass mat/weave, and resin used is polyurethane (laminating resin... the "plastic" part) with MEKP hardner. Its the typical use of words people wanna hear FRP or Fiber Reinforced plastic makes people wanna think its some ABS plastic part impregnated with fibers for strength or something. Reality: its just plain old "junky" fiberglass. (everyone thinks fiberglass is so junky but when done right its very very strong and COULD be very flexible if you used flexible resin (more expensive) like Works 9 aerokits etc...)

2.) I know its nitpicking, but "Fitment", not "Fitament".

3.) That lip looks good on your car, i dunno why you'd want to sell it.

4.) Maybe when the GTR comes to USA we'll finally get GTR-Sized LM-GT4s.

Thanks for your corrections :P.

I'll probably sell it to get the vertex front, or use it to buy another surfboard. :)

[cookie]

anyone got there web address as i can't find it, also do you know if they would ship to the uk?

C.

[cookie]

also would it fit with the std fogs

[S14DB]

also would it fit with the std fogs
It's should, it has the cutouts for them.

[mike13]

companies like this should be making replicas of parts we cant get here... specifically the JDM OEM front lip for that bumper.

[S14DB]

Kouki Rear Valences...


...THAT FIT!!!(not against this company, another)

[C-West USA]

The authentic version of this lip has been in stock in the US since November of 2005.

The authentic lip is also a hybrid material called PFRP that stretches, and takes abuse.

Although mmdb said that their kit fit very well, he said that he felt a little sanding would make it fit better. Our kits fit 100% out the door ready to go.

In addition to that, you can also purchase the authentic lip at the same price or lower. Check out Aspec's special on these lips.
http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=95811

[byhi]

That lip looks koo. . . I'm not one for adding lips and such to already aggressive kits.


agressive kit? thats a jdm oem bumper

[SilviaDriver]

heres a thread about them..not from here tho

http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1430259

[cookie]

C-West USA , Who is the UK supplier for C-West products?

Last time i looked at getting these lips in the UK it would have cost me $500+ imported (More than i paid for the Kouki bumper brand new)

C.

[mmdb]

The authentic version of this lip has been in stock in the US since November of 2005.

The authentic lip is also a hybrid material called PFRP that stretches, and takes abuse.

Although mmdb said that their kit fit very well, he said that he felt a little sanding would make it fit better. Our kits fit 100% out the door ready to go.

In addition to that, you can also purchase the authentic lip at the same price or lower. Check out Aspec's special on these lips.
http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=95811


C-west, I had a chance to fit on your official C-west front spoiler made of FRP. I COULD NOT get it to fit on my bumper. It was half an inch TOO short on both sides. Also, the FRP material didn't allow for any play to massage the fitament. I tried everything to make it fit.

I know that the lip being sold is PFRP which should be more stretchy. I'd really like to see a car with this on rather than the pictures on the official C-West website. Also, if anyone has purchased the PFRP lip from the online zilvia vendor we can do a comparison on fitament. I'm not a representative of Shine Aero, nor do I mean have any gripe with C-west, but my concern is having a 240 enthusiast purchase a part that does not offer what is being said.

[PITCH]

C-West USA , Who is the UK supplier for C-West products?

Last time i looked at getting these lips in the UK it would have cost me $500+ imported (More than i paid for the Kouki bumper brand new)

C.


Cookie what tipe or rear bumper are you running on your s14? looks great.:coolugh:

[cookie]

Hi.

My rear lip is a Genuine Nissan Z/Sport Line Edition lip , its a one off not part of the original production run.

On the other note C-west USA never got back to me.

C.

[Silverbullet]

so if thats made of some fancy dancy fiberglass... how would i go about repairing it when i break it? Should i just fix it like normal fiberglass and having it be more brittle at that one part?

[donkayroo]

Sorry for revisiting an old thread but using the search engine is indeed helpful. Regarding the OEM JDM S14 kouki front lip and for those with the JDM kouki front bumper how much are you guys willing to pay for one (front lip)?

A while back someone on Ebay was selling the front lip for $350. Is that a reasonable price for this rare gem? I'm just curious because if no one here is willing to pay in excess of $300 I'll reconsider. I honestly don't know how much the JDM lip is worth so if you guys have some figures please throw them out so I don't feel I'm getting ripped if I see that lip on sale for 300+.

I'm considering going that route since my new bumper hangs down way too low for Cali driveways. Has anyone tried asking Ken from Shine to recreate the kouki S14 OEM front lip?

BTW, I'm sure y'all who're sporting the kouki rear bumper already know, Shine is now selling the kouki rear valences.