84-86 coupe nose on an 86-87 GT? (Page 1/2)
dizzie MAY 17, 11:21 AM
I've been scouring the forums, but haven't found an answer to this - How difficult would it be to put the nose of a base model 84-86 coupe onto an 86 or 87 GT? I like the nose of the early coupes, but the fastback and options of the later GT models. I'd look to get everything repainted once in place. Also - are the coupe (non-SE) noses from 85-86 pretty much the same? Looks like they might have changed the base coupe nose in 87 (or 86.5?) from what I'm seeing, though it's hard to tell.
Thanks!
- Diz
dizzie MAY 17, 01:36 PM
On second thought, it looks like the moulding might not really match - it seems the 84-86 coupe noses have grooved/ ribbed moulding. As much as I like the earlier coupe noses, I may have to use the nose of an 87 coupe as a compromise. Or - could I replace the moulding on an 84-86 coupe nose with the moulding from the nose of an 87 coupe? Sorry if I'm using the wrong terms for the base models.
olejoedad MAY 17, 01:51 PM
The molding around the front of the nose is molded into the nose.

Whatever you do, be sure to use the proper air ducting, rubber flaps and lower air dam under the radiator.

The aero nose (Indy, GT, later SE) is a bottom breather, whereas the bumper pad and 87-88 coupe/Formula nose is a mouth breather.
dizzie MAY 17, 03:14 PM

quote
Originally posted by olejoedad:

The molding around the front of the nose is molded into the nose.

Whatever you do, be sure to use the proper air ducting, rubber flaps and lower air dam under the radiator.

The aero nose (Indy, GT, later SE) is a bottom breather, whereas the bumper pad and 87-88 coupe/Formula nose is a mouth breather.



Great points - thanks for that. If I get a bumper from a junkyard, it sounds like I'll have to be sure to get these parts off separately.
cartercarbaficionado MAY 17, 03:41 PM

quote
Originally posted by dizzie:

On second thought, it looks like the moulding might not really match - it seems the 84-86 coupe noses have grooved/ ribbed moulding. As much as I like the earlier coupe noses, I may have to use the nose of an 87 coupe as a compromise. Or - could I replace the moulding on an 84-86 coupe nose with the moulding from the nose of an 87 coupe? Sorry if I'm using the wrong terms for the base models.


on my 84 somebody hacked my moulding off and actually made it bolt on for some reason, it all fits and works together I think the only different stuff is a 86-88 gt roof and decklid
I know from the doors forwards is all the same bolt holes also I have grooved mounding on my formula and I barely notice it so as long as you use an SE nose which is identical to a gt other than a few small things it'll look mostly correct
dizzie MAY 17, 04:08 PM

quote
Originally posted by cartercarbaficionado:

on my 84 somebody hacked my moulding off and actually made it bolt on for some reason, it all fits and works together I think the only different stuff is a 86-88 gt roof and decklid
I know from the doors forwards is all the same bolt holes also I have grooved mounding on my formula and I barely notice it so as long as you use an SE nose which is identical to a gt other than a few small things it'll look mostly correct




Ok thanks for the perspective! I'm actually having a lot of second thoughts because it seems like the lower door moulding is much different on the 85 coupe than the 86 GT, and I kind of want that lower contrasting stripe across the bottom of the car. I saw in this thread where some people pulled it off in different ways with different paint jobs, though.
Patrick MAY 17, 05:02 PM

quote
Originally posted by olejoedad:

Whatever you do, be sure to use the proper air ducting, rubber flaps and lower air dam under the radiator.



And the impact absorption egg crate material is different as well.

[EDIT] Plus the plastic wheel well liners.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 05-18-2024).]

olejoedad MAY 17, 05:33 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

And the impact absorption egg crate material is different as well.



Yup, I forgot to mention that.
82-T/A [At Work] MAY 17, 08:56 PM

quote
Originally posted by dizzie:

Ok thanks for the perspective! I'm actually having a lot of second thoughts because it seems like the lower door moulding is much different on the 85 coupe than the 86 GT, and I kind of want that lower contrasting stripe across the bottom of the car. I saw in this thread where some people pulled it off in different ways with different paint jobs, though.



It'll all fit, you'll just need to get all the parts from the 85-86, including the rocker panel (which is what you mean by the lower door molding).

The trim molding on the door and quarter panel will also swap out, and then use the one that matches the 85-86 front and rear bumpers that you use. You'll want to get one from an 85-86 SE 2m6 because it'll already have the dual exhaust notched cut-out.
Patrick MAY 17, 09:31 PM

quote
Originally posted by dizzie:

I'm actually having a lot of second thoughts because it seems like the lower door moulding is much different on the 85 coupe than the 86 GT, and I kind of want that lower contrasting stripe across the bottom of the car.



Okay, I'm confused. You were initially asking about swapping out the nose of the car. So how is the "lower door moulding" now a part of this process?