What Front End do I Have?

[redline7k]

I bought my 1997 Arctic Silver Boxster 2 and 1/2 years ago. It was rough, but it ran very strong. I've chased down and fixed most of its problems, but I need some assistance.

What front bumper cover do I have on this car? No grille inserts were in it at the time of sale. The car has a Salvage title from Texas (after originally been sold in Florida). I got a very good price, and I'm pleased with the car--but I can't find the two separate grilles to fit the radiator intakes. I bought the Porsche grilles for a '97 986, but they aren't even close to fitting. I then bought a one-piece 996 insert...also wrong. Look for these items to be offered soon in the Classifieds on this Forum.

In addition to the two horizontal slots and two lower vertical slots, there is a single slot on the top for mounting tabs.

Any help would be appreciated!

[Deserion]

It’s a 2003-2004 bumper cover.

Welcome to the club!

[maytag]

Originally Posted by redline7k

I bought my 1997 Arctic Silver Boxster 2 and 1/2 years ago. It was rough, but it ran very strong. I've chased down and fixed most of its problems, but I need some assistance.

What front bumper cover do I have on this car? No grille inserts were in it at the time of sale. The car has a Salvage title from Texas (after originally been sold in Florida). I got a very good price, and I'm pleased with the car--but I can't find the two separate grilles to fit the radiator intakes. I bought the Porsche grilles for a '97 986, but they aren't even close to fitting. I then bought a one-piece 996 insert...also wrong. Look for these items to be offered soon in the Classifieds on this Forum.

In addition to the two horizontal slots and two lower vertical slots, there is a single slot on the top for mounting tabs.

Any help would be appreciated!

That's an '03/04 bumper cover.
Behind those holes there should be a "bucket" of sorts, that the rest sort of rides-in. Yours is missing.

I'd be surprised if you found them used, without buying the bumper cover, honestly. They aren't really designed to come out well. When I removed mine, I had to get the heat gun out and deform the tabs, and same process to put them back in.

Here they are new from our host:
https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/9865055530301C.htm?pn=986-505-553-03-01C-OEM&utm_source=googleppc&utm_term=9865055530301C&utm_campaign=Shopping+Feed&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-4LVvfjH6QIVE9bACh2KWAoGEAQYAyABEgLplfD_BwE

https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/98650553300G2X.htm?pn=986-505-533-00-G2X-OEM&utm_source=googleppc&utm_term=98650553300G2X&utm_campaign=Shopping+Feed&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-4LVvfjH6QIVE9bACh2KWAoGEAQYBCABEgIwTfD_BwE

[Most_Wanted]

Someone swapped in the 03-04 bumper. Might be the reason for the salvage. IMO is looks good without the stock slanted grills. Just get some mesh and fill in the slant holes.

[Liamray]

Yeah seeing the cars been modified anyway, I’d just make my own grills, there are plenty of different types of grill materials out there, from S/S to Plastic. It’s not that hard to do, and you’d have something no one else has.

[maytag]

That's what I did with mine:


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[Geof3]

Is an 03/04 bumper cover a direct bolt on for an 02, or do you need the air intakes for the radiators etc as well? That looks really good.

[Deserion]

Originally Posted by Geof3

Is an 03/04 bumper cover a direct bolt on for an 02, or do you need the air intakes for the radiators etc as well? That looks really good.

Ducts are the same.

[itsnotanova]

Pretty sure that's an aftermarket bumper cover and that's why you're missing the grill pieces. There was a time when all you could buy new were 2003/04 bumper covers made in Thailand and they didn't come with the accessories. They're not as thick as a factory cover but seem to hold up well. New bumper and salvage title, I'm guessing it was in a front end accident.

[CaracasBBQ]

I know it’s an old thread, but how do you remove the two slats/fins that you have eliminated?

[PaulE]

On a stock 03/04 front bumper cover, you should be able to gently snap them out with the bumper cover installed. Mine were kind of loose so I have my body shop put some hardware on the back to hold them in when the cover was replaced after an accident. But if you can't get them out, take a look on the inside next time you have the cover off to clean out your radiators and ductwork.

[DrKalifornia]

My boxster was in a minor front end collision. It needs a few new parts but the bumper cover is the trickiest. The old part number was 986 505 311 00. The first cover I bought was missing the fittings to connect it underneath. Not wanting to drill holes and zip tie it, I ordered an aftermarket one from CircuitWerks which said it was equivalent to part number 986 505 311 08. When it arrived the grill covers I had did not fit the new cover. I’m thinking it’s not a 2001 equivalent cover but a 2003. But the 2003-2004 part number is 986 505 311 10. So what year Boxster bumper do I have and where can I find the grill parts? Any idea? The side intakes are squarer and taller -almost like a GT3.

[78F350]

DrKalifornia, Your best course of action is probably to contact the vendor you bought it from and ask them. From your description, I'm not sure what you have. Take a look at the chart here: 101 Projects for Your Porsche Boxster: Project 68: Front Bumper Parts

'03 - '04 Boxsters have "Lamina" in the bumper vents. Pretty pricey for a small piece of plastic.

I have bought the two on the left in the past, about $300 shipped at the time. Decent quality and fit perfectly. I ended up using mesh similar to what Maytag posted pictures of.

[DrKalifornia]

Thanks! I’m fairly confident the bumper I bought was the bottom row second in from the left with a black matter finish. I will all the manufacturer and ask. Just wondered if anyone could tell if this was a standard 2003 or styled differently. The retailer Says it fits models from 97 through 2004 and I guess that’s true but it doesn’t mean they are interchangeable. The grids changed a few times in that period so you can’t re use your grids. Kind of a pain to shell out 600 for the bumper and then another 300 for the small plastic parts to complete it.