Which front end for my Daytona

[W.P._Turbocars]

I have an 88 Daytona with the shelby ground fx and am about to start on the bodywork on it. I found an 86 turbo Z with a perfect front end and an 89 ES perfect minus the ground fx in the front. Which front end would you guys use?

[raccoon]

88 cars should have 88 front ends. Im all for moving powerplants from one gen to another but the bodies should reflect what the car was originally

[Tony Hanna]

I always thought the 1st gen was the best looking of the Daytonas, so I'd vote for the '86. I just wonder how hard of a swap that would be and if everything would line up and look right?

[TurbododgePirate]

I vote 86

[rbryant]

I vote for the 86 just to be different.

The early style avoids the popup headlights. Doesn't the older style nose have larger air ducts to support better cooling too?

But what do I know I only own the 87 GLHS...

-Rich

[ShadowFromHell]

do it!

[supercrackerbox]

I just really don't think the sharp angled '86 front end would match well with the rounded off side mirros, taillights, and rear spoiler of the '88. Sure you could swap the mirrors too, assuming the ones on the donor car aren't broken. Forming the rear quarters to fit the first gen taillights and rear bumper would be a whole other ball game though.

And if they're not, you should grab them anyway to see if someone wants them. For some reason, the driver's side mirror always breaks on the first gens.

[moparzrule]

I wanted to swap a 1st gen front end on my 87' but it never happened. I hated the popup headlights. I love the first gen front end, but like the 2nd gen tail lights better. So IMO this is a perfect combo.

[CSXT802]

1st gen gets my vote.

[MopàrBCN]

I have an 88 Daytona with the shelby ground fx and am about to start on the bodywork on it. I found an 86 turbo Z with a perfect front end and an 89 ES perfect minus the ground fx in the front. Which front end would you guys use?

I would do anything to get that 86 Front End on - and if it were to mold the missing ground fx by hand....

[W.P._Turbocars]

My car is a t top car which helps make the mirrors a little more boxy.

[Xtrempickup]

you need to changed the whole front, nose, header, and hood if you do the 86 on it

[supercrackerbox]

Also make sure that the hood latch plate in the radiator support on the '86 is the same as the one in your '88. They changed the whole mechanism around mid-model year in '86, and if the donor car is the earlier style, it will be difficult to make work.

[METZ]

Go with the 86!

[Tony Fields]

I voted for the '88 Shelby Z front end.........but I might be a little biased.

[BadAssPerformance]

I'm a little biased too

[Reaper1]

I agree with Adam, changing gens *can* be difficult.

In the end it is your car and your vision. Do what fits you best.

I peronally don't think the '86 front matches the 87/88 ground effects well. I'd personally stick with the origional front end...

[Aries_Turbo]

someone needs to do a photoshop. with all the combinations.

Brian

[CDNTurboZ]

I know a guy who bought my 86 turbo z shell wanted to put 89 style ground f/x on it and the tailight mounting area was totall different (that big tailight panel wouldn't bolt on) as well there were problems mounting the front clip to the rad support

I guess it could be done, but its not a bolt on type affair.

[W.P._Turbocars]

someone needs to do a photoshop. with all the combinations.

Brian

I like this idea. Anyone do this for us? Also all the side ground fx are on the 86 too. When I put everything on my Daytona (base model turbo) I used double side 3M so I could take it back off and not have to drill any holes in the body.