can you turn a 1978 camaro into a split bumper?

**loudon171** · 05-01-2010, 06:56 PM

just wonder is there any way to turn a 1978 camaro Z28 into a split bumper camaro. or is there a kit out there to do so.

**Z28Thunder** · 05-01-2010, 08:31 PM

I know the split bumper was from 70 1/2 to 73...

I guess you could graft a 73 split onto a 78...

**snaggeltooth** · 05-01-2010, 09:41 PM

would have to change the whole front clip at least ... then it wouldnt look right unless you changed out the rear too ...

**RyanJM** · 05-01-2010, 09:44 PM

My mom had a 78 she bought new and I remember that cr and a friend I went to school with had a blue and white striped 70 1/2 split bumper which was bad azz as it comes in my opinion. A 78 I think would look odd if you tried to slpit the bumper since there plastic not metal and trying to customize a chrome bumper that would flow with that year would be hard.

**Z28Thunder** · 05-01-2010, 09:51 PM

Not saying you should.. Just guess if you really wanted to you could. First car was a 71 camaro here... While I would love to own a 1st gen. 70-73 are my favorite camaro years..

**twozs** · 05-02-2010, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by loudon171

just wonder is there any way to turn a 1978 camaro Z28 into a split bumper camaro. or is there a kit out there to do so.

yea, go and change every piece of sheet metal from the firewall forward and you should be in good shape. oh yea, bring money as the rs urethane nose and chrome insert alone will probably be about 800 dollars. thats not counting upper and lower valance, fenders, inner fenders, radiator support, the 2 grill pieces, the center bar, 2 chrome bumperettes and their mounting hardware, etc. oh, i forgot, you can keep the hood! so to answer your question, yes it can be done. is it worth the expense , probably not! my 73 RS/Z28

**Firebirdjones** · 05-03-2010, 05:56 AM

He is correct, change the doghouse and that's it.

I've also seen this done on 74-81 firebirds with 70-73 front ends,,,as well as 73-74 novas with 68-72 front ends.
Looks like one year coming at you, and another one when it leaves

It is a bit strange though, people were doing this before most of this stuff was even reproduced. Why I don't know, but now that you can buy most anything reproduction I don't see these swaps happen much at all anymore.

With the money that the later second gens are starting to grab I'd probably just leave it alone. These cars are starting to come into their own.