[ltlevil1]

Long story short, I got cut off and ended up in a ditch destroying my front bumper. Car is a 2019 factory 2SS/1LE. I would like to change it to a ZLE front end. Body shop tech is down for changing it but suggested getting the vin from a factory ZLE car and ordering GM OEM parts. He's not opposed to aftermarket parts, but I want to make sure the quality is there. I have been considering this mod for a while (since before the wreck) and now the car is wrecked I may as well do it now. The problem I see with all the aftermarket kits is they are for SS or non-SS but not for factory SS 1LE cars. Anybody have part numbers, or those that have done the change with a factory 1LE car have any input (pics)? I would like to change the bumper and grill that are made for each other that also includes the canards and splitter as opposed to going back factory and then putting the kit on. Seems counterproductive to me. The other caveat is I can't wait 8-10 weeks for a kit to be made and shipped. I'm a little PO'd about this situation and the more I try and look into it, the worse off I get. Any input would be greatly appreciated, not to mention cathartic.
Thanx

[arpad_m]

I thought the front bumper was exactly the same between the SS and the SS 1LE, the only difference being the hood wrap.

[ltlevil1]

The bumper may be the same, with the 1LE splitter and skin/grill for the ZL1 being different?

[arpad_m]

So what I mean is that the SS and the SS 1LE have the exact same bumpers, so any third party ZL1 or ZL1 1LE bumper upgrade product made for the SS will work with your car, too. It will include everything from the bumper to the splitter and the grilles.

If you want the actual OEM ZL1 1LE front bumper setup, I do know that ZL1 front fenders poke out further than the SS counterparts (some even sell a spacer kit that helps compensate for the difference), but the bumper connection profile may still be the same, someone who has done this would be able to clarify.

[ltlevil1]

That makes sense. I knew there was something about the fenders with the ZL1 so thanks for clearing that up. Any recommendations on aftermarket companies?

[Patriot Motorsports USA]

Originally Posted by ltlevil1

Anybody have part numbers, or those that have done the change with a factory 1LE car have any input (pics)? I would like to change the bumper and grill that are made for each other that also includes the canards and splitter as opposed to going back factory and then putting the kit on.
Thanx

First off... GEAUX TIGERS!

LMK what you need. I can help with the VIN. I just received the front end parts to rebuild a 2024 C8 Z51 with the ZR1 front bumper, hood and the heat exchangers for a track project.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by ltlevil1

That makes sense. I knew there was something about the fenders with the ZL1 so thanks for clearing that up. Any recommendations on aftermarket companies?

I'm fine with my SS frontend, hence no personal experience in this specific conversion, but I recall people using this product and not complaining, so it's definitely an option worth considering.

One thing I will say is that no aftermarket body part I've ever used had a 100% fitment, the good ones are close, but don't expect perfection from them.

[ltlevil1]

It's not so much the front end as the grille(s) I like. If I could change the grilles and add the canards I would quite happy with that. To be clear I like my 1LE look, I just like the looks of the ZL1 grille openings better.

[arpad_m]

Even small birds fit through those gaping holes in the ZL1 grille, heh Its aux radiator openings are literal leaf collectors, too.

That said, the radiator and the intercooler behind the grille obviously push more airflow this way.

[Bumbleboy92]

A slight heads up, the ZL1 hood does have slightly different hood lines compared to all other models. I know an OEM ZL1 hood will fit, but won’t line up 100% with a SS bumper.

Not sure if a aftermarket ZL1 conversion would be the same way with not lining up 100% on the SS hood or not

[bishopts]

Originally Posted by Bumbleboy92

A slight heads up, the ZL1 hood does have slightly different hood lines compared to all other models. I know an OEM ZL1 hood will fit, but won’t line up 100% with a SS bumper.

Not sure if a aftermarket ZL1 conversion would be the same way with not lining up 100% on the SS hood or not

When i bought my car it had an unpainted aftermarket zl1 bumper on it and my paint guy said he had to shape the bumper slightly to make it blend to the SS hood. I didn't notice it but he did.
I later just found a oem ss bumper because i like the look of the ss

[DaveC113]

I looked into it and unfortunately you really want the ZLE bumper, fenders, hood and rockers with side skirts. At that point I might vinyl wrap the whole car too. Not cheap or easy. The wider fenders are nice if you want to fit wider wheels, huge plus for me.

You can make it work with just the bumper but it won't be perfect and it would bother me, so I figure go whole hog or nothing. I may do it someday if I can get junkyard parts for a good deal.

You can get canards for the SS bumper via ACS, maybe Anderson Composites. I have ACS canards and side skirts, they are modeled after the ZLE ones. They've been fine so far beyond the rear edge of the skirts getting eaten by rocks. Better the skirts than the car though.

[ltlevil1]

Yeah, it looks like an all or nothing thing to me as well. It also appears the general consensus is all/any of the aftermarket stuff needs to be massaged to some extent. I did find a replacement upper and lower grill that is supposed to be a direct replacement. Not sure about rules for posting vendors, however, the grill was supposedly first witnessed at the 2015 SEMA show. Grill comes painted in two-tone. single color or carbon fiber. I may go that route. I can't seem to find any canards for the SS bumper with stock splitter. For now, I am going to put everything back like it came from the factory. At least I will know everything is where it is supposed to be.