15-17 Ikon GT500 Bumper Review

[khsonic03]

So this is from the perspective of someone with ocd Yes, I knew that I was ordering a Chinese bumper and fitment/quality would be questionable, but I really wanted the look, so I took the plunge.

I did a lot of custom work on this bumper to make it how I wanted and address the issues that bugged me. Most normal people wouldn't do most of this stuff, but I'm a car guy and enjoy working on the car and customizing it. Not to mention, had a lot of extra time during quarantine.

To start, I do think this is better than the i5 autohaus version. The ikon uses multiple pieces to make painting it easier and cleaner and the modular pieces make it sturdier than a 1 piece design. Additionally, I see alot of pics of the i5 version with the front splitter bent back from downforce. The ikon version is a sturdier abs splitter that shouldn't have these issues.

Things I didn't like about the ikon:

• The lower splitter didn't line up to the sideskirts when viewing from the side profile. It was about a 1.25" higher
  • Used a heat gun to bend and lower the main splitter
  • Made spacers for the splitter wickers to lower them so they followed the lines into the sideskirts
• The lower intakes are open mesh. You can see wires and the windshield fluid bottle through them. Additionally, this will create lift and drag by having air being scooped into your wheel well.
  • Created panels and ziptied/screwed them to the mesh
• The intake area didn't line up to the factory intake and didn't look purposeful.
  • Created a custom air guide that lines up with the grille mesh
• The sides where the fenders connect to the bumper were convex instead of flat. Must have been something with the mould.
  • Used a heat gun to flatten them out
• The performance pack underbelly pan didn't connect to the bumper.
  • Made a custom abs panel to fill any gaps and allow the belly pan to fully bolt up (don't have pics of this)

I was able to address all the issues above and do a few extra customizations.

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[kiksbutt]

That looks pretty sweet. How much did everything run you, including paint (did ikon paint it or yourself)?

 

[khsonic03]

That looks pretty sweet. How much did everything run you, including paint (did ikon paint it or yourself)?

I had a local shop paint it because I read some unfavorable reviews of ikon's paint jobs.

Bumper was $1k. Paint was about $900. I did get a partial refund from ikon because there was damage to the bumper and required extra prep time from the paint shop.

 

[kiksbutt]

I had a local shop paint it because I read some unfavorable reviews of ikon's paint jobs.

Bumper was $1k. Paint was about $900. I did get a partial refund from ikon because there was damage to the bumper and required extra prep time from the paint shop.

Not cheap. I wonder why Ikon has such quality control issues. My GT500 rear diffuser had damage to it too, although Ikon did partial refund as well

 

[khsonic03]

Not cheap. I wonder why Ikon has such quality control issues. My GT500 rear diffuser had damage to it too, although Ikon did partial refund as well

Def not cheap. Especially considering that bumper probably costs them $100 from the manufacturer. But they know people want the look, so dummies like me pay it

 

[tyoon]

Were the parts where you painted gloss black a separate piece?

 

[DonnieO]

Damn that car looks good from the side view! Who makes those rims? What size? Square or staggered?

 

[khsonic03]

Were the parts where you painted gloss black a separate piece?

Yes. All of the gloss black pieces on this bumper are separate pieces (which makes painting them much easier for the shop). Additionally, I vinyl wrapped the "swoosh" shaped pieces with a hex pattern vinyl that emulates what's on the real GT500 bumper (first time vinyl wrapping - it's not as easy as I thought it would be!).

Damn that car looks good from the side view! Who makes those rims? What size? Square or staggered?

The wheels are Project 6GR Ten. 20x11r and 20x10f. The fronts normally have spacers on them, but I took them off in these photos. Going with slightly larger spacers/studs to push the wheels out further - just need to get them installed and do some fitment testing.

 

[Hardmoney07]

I went with the i5 one and noticed the splitter is weak and will bend down under air pressure.
Anything after market will require some alterations to make it perfect i just got mine in and I’m working all the kinks out just mounted the oil cooler going to make a air duct/tunnel that feeds to it not sure what I will do with the other side yet to address the weak splitter I have the GT500 apr splitter that will mount under it so it’s not going to be a issue now as far as the rigidity the bumper flex’s significantly so I made a aluminum bracket from the frame to the back bolt by the wheels although this was probably not necessary cause the apr splitter should stiff-in this all up once mounted I have the GT500 hood on the way so that should expel the extra air and keep the lift factor down

 

[khsonic03]

Wanted to post another tip for those who don't have a black car. I wrapped my impact bar behind the bumper because when you look through the grille, you could see blue. I wanted it to look all black in there when you look in.

Easy fix, just wrap it in matte black vinyl.

 

[UMBRELAA]

Back from the paint shop

 

[boos550t]

Why does yours say shelby on the lip spoiler?

 

[UMBRELAA]

Why does yours say shelby on the lip spoiler?

Some have Shelby.... others have the GT500 stamped in the cross bumper.

 

[boos550t]

that's unfortunate

thankfully mine doesnt have either

 

[UMBRELAA]

that's unfortunate

thankfully mine doesnt have either

The perks of living in the US

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