SharpZ28

I have just bought a Trenz billet grill for my Z28 without installation instructions. I have held it up in front of the factory grill, but it looks as though the front center section needs to be cut out. Would someone who has installed one of these please tell me how exactly that you did it? Thanks.

CrazyHawaiian

The install methods really suck. When I got my Trenz grill, it came with the instructions and 6 rivets. The instructions say to cut out the center of the stock grill, place the Trenz grill in the outline of the stock grill, and install the rivets from the top and bottom. Here are the problems I had with this:

1. The Trenz grill did not fit very well with my 91-92 OEM grill. From the looks of the instructions, we are supposed to use the louvered grill to do the install (the RS grill). With my Z28 grill the fitment sucked.

2. Not only did it not fit the stock grill well, the general shape of the Trenz grill was off. Maybe it got bent up during shipping, not very sure. Took me a few hours to straighten it out with wood chips. Bend one side and the other side gets bent too. Use something (wood chips?) to keep it straight on the other side.

3. If the Trenz grill had been installed into the stock Z28 grill outline, and the center section cut out, the stock grill factory mounting options were now gone. Apparently they did not think ahead. Now you have a ruined stock grill with a new grill riveted on and no way to mount the final product back on the car? Really stupid!

I ended up using tie straps to attach my Trenz grill. I did not murder my stock grill, I just put the Trenz grill over the top and used tie straps. Very lame. I plan to remove the Trenz grill very soon. I want to install it on my other car that has no stock grill (it will fit better), but I do plan to use tie straps again.

For the price of the grill, I dont think it was worth it. I've installed Trenz grills on trucks and I have no idea why they did such a bad job with the 3rd gen Camaro grill. Thumbs down from me on product quality and install, but thumbs up on the final look ...

SharpZ28

Thank you very much, CrazyHawaiian. I will give it a try today, but it is just above freezing here where I am in North Carolina. I have read many of your posts, and have to say your car is one of the best third gens I have seen! I will let you know how it works out.

CrazyHawaiian

Hey thanks for the props. Got a pic for you from a car cruze sometime last year: here. Good luck!

SharpZ28

I put it on the car today after fabricating some brackets to go on the factory grill. You are right about it being poorly thought out, as far as installation. I saw the holes in the billet grill where the rivets go, but I would like to ask Trenz how you would put the grill back in the car with it riveted to the front. I made some ''L'' brackets to support the sides, and made two ''U'' shaped brackets that were thin enough to go between the grill fins and screwed to the front factory grill where the bowtie symbol is. I wish I could take some pictures of what I did, but it turned out good. It really changes the look of the front end, and will go good with chrome 17'' Iroc rims or Z06 rims I plan on later, I cant make up my mind on these. My car is a 92 black Z28 with the red heritage stripes painted on, and has 32,000 original miles on the tuned port 350. Thanks again for your help; I am sure I will need some advice from you later.

FLYNLOW92rs

iTrader: (53)

Your not the only one running Tie straps to keep that grill on

Although i didn't use the stock grill?? It turned out fine for me....

jgifford

Guess I'm kinda of a loner here but I used the rivets. Measured it out, drilled the holes, and after bending a few places that didn't look right, installed it using the factory holes. It took a little time but I used a little tape too hold the screw on the screwdriver, fished it through the grill and screwed it in. And it was a z28 grill.

SharpZ28

Good job! I thought about trying the tape method, but my screwdrivers were a bit too big to snake between the grill fins without scratching the black finish between them. This was trying the 4 screws that hold the center on, how did you get to the 2 screws that hold the outside corners? Or did you not replace them? Probably do not really need them anyway. Anyway, nice car you have.

1992rs/ss

I used the rivets too, had the outside trim painted to match too

383LT1intake

i used same method as jgifford but i agree the could of put more thought into it

jgifford

Sorry, I forgot about this thread. I actually just left those outside screws off. I figure with the inside screws in and stiffness of the grille, I didn't have to worry about it.

Thanks for the compliments.

SLOWFIVEOH

iTrader: (2)

Mine isnt a Trenz, Its actually an S-10 billet grill cut down to fit my car, And the excess was used to make billet grill covers for the parking lights, But I used zip ties, and had no factory grill @ all behind it.

grngryoutmyway

iTrader: (1)

Cant you straighten it out some so the bars of the grill dont curve at such an angle... it doesn't look right to me... doesn't match up with the flat top of the bumper nor the small angle of the front ground effect... I think they would look cool if they fit right... I'm in the process of doing some custom polished alum stuff for my grill... wish me luck its gonna be a b*tch..

jgifford

You don't happen to have any pics of the parking lights do you? I like the idea but I'm having problems visualizing it.

nolanr0413

those grills look real good on some cars .

SLOWFIVEOH

iTrader: (2)

My car aint looking to great right now, But I'll take some pics of the front end tomorrow if I get a chance...

iroczrockz

Hey where can I get one of those grills?

SharpZ28

Mine came from streetbeatcustoms.com

iroczrockz

Yeah, theirs has gone up to $200.00. It was down around $165.00 not too long ago.

SharpZ28

I did'nt know that, I thought $165 was a rip off, but I got one anyway. I think there is another place called godfather customs.

iroczrockz

Did anyone get the non polished Grill from Trenz? I am assuming everybody got the polished one. I would like to see the difference between the two. They are definately cheaper than streetbeatcustoms.