Poll Which front bumper is nicer looking 86.5 to 88 or 88.5 and later?

[Heggy]

I bought a 90 JZA 70 front clip to do a 1JZ swap into my ’87 NA. I have the option of keeping the ’87 bumper or putting on the 90 (I will be changing the rear tail lights).

So I thought that it would be interesting to hear others opinions of which bumper set looks better.

 

[hvyman]

It's all personal preference. Opinions.

Need to pick for yourself.

 

[Doat]

Yea cosmetic stuff is all personal preference I debated on converting my 91 front end to pre 89 but I am torn on the decision lol. I might just go with the shine auto front bumper.

 

[1James]

Do you prefer 80s styling, or 90s styling?

 

[Heggy]

The point is I like both of the front ends. I was just seeing if there was something that someone thought that was better or more appealing / functional etc. I'm doing the body and paint so it doesn't matter which one goes on. Just looking to get others feedback, which may help in the decision making.

 

[atmperformance]

I liked the ripped off front bumper from drifting look.

 

[super51fan]

I like the newer style.

 

[Nick M]

My opinion.... I was always preferential to the original front bumper/air dam and 89+ tail. In black. Wing not needed.

 

[Kckazdude]

I have always had a preference to the 87 - 88 front end. The full width grille just has more appeal and the possibility of more cooling IMHO. The rear needs to be 89+. Unlike Nick I prefer the wing.

 

[KevinM]

If you really want opinions -

89+

 

[SuprA70]

Why not an amalgam of both?

Greddy 89+ style bumper with the nose cut off and pre 89 turn signals and grille.

 

[akito]

I lean towards 89+ but that's just me. If you take a good look at the bumper on top it looks like a pre89 with a molded in lip. I know it isn't but at certain angle it does very much, especially with all the pre 89 stuff on it.

 

[zSP3CTERz]

89+ all the way

 

[black89t]

heres my take on it and ive had both front bumpers on my car. forever i was all about the 89+ and didn't really like the 89- but this past january i crashed my car and had trouble finding a nice 89+ bumper that was worth painting so i had some fun with the 89- bumper from my parts car. and after having it on for a while now and taking pics im starting to like it. the major thing i like about the 89- is how it lets a lot more air flow through cooling the radiator better where the 89+ blocks air flow. another thing to note is the metal support for the upper valance with the supra emblem that has to be from same year as the bumper cause the turn signals and grill have different mounting points. heres how my car looks now. granted when i find a good 89+ bumper for the right price im gonna paint it with the same paint as my car but i don't mind the temporary bumper for the time being. but hands down 89+ tails and 3 piece spoiler are a must :biglaugh:

 

[Silver MK3]

I have an 87 and you won't find me switching to an 89+ bumper. I love the way it looks. If I were "building" a MK3 I would go with something like SuprA70 posted. That would open up your options for lips too since there are almost none for the pre 89. As for the taillights if I would switch I would go to the JDM ones where they are all that dark cherry color. I would also have to switch the trim too because it bothers me when I see the mismatched trim on a pre 87 with 89+ taillights.

 

[ERA]

I like both. However, I think I like the 89 and up front bumper a little more.

 

[Heggy]

Thank you all for your feedback. It is great to see the different perspectives and some of the technical reasons why they went with their preferences.

So here is what I've decided:

JZA70 tail lights with JZA70 Type "R" moldings, with the '87 front bumper and JAZ70 front emblem (I like the '87 front a little more and think that the airflow for cooling is better). I would like a 3 piece spoiler, however have not been able to locate one as of yet.

I just completed the 1jz swap, on hold right now trying to source a hydro fan pressure line... but will post some pics soon prior and post paint.

 

[757_supra]

87-88.