2013 D/R/L/ removal......pics
 

Well, I finally got around to it........I wanted to convert the pocket where the DRL's sit in my 2013's bumper to brake cooling ducts.

First step: remove the DRL's.......

It's easy, actually..... First, you need to remove the front bumper skin. You can access the driver side DRL OK thru the wheelwell, but the passenger side has the washer bottle in the way, so the skin must come off.

Follow the directions as posted by other forum folks.....it's easy, takes 1/2 hour. Easy to do alone, but use masking tape at the seam lines near the headlights so that you don't scratch any paint. The DRL's are held in by three 10 mm bolts and a plastic rivet. The last photo is what they look like after removal.

As for ducting, the rest of the job will have to wait for now, but appears it will be simple to install a duct which exits the bumper wheelwell area and points directly towards the inner side of the rotor, similar to the setup on a C-5 Corvette.


For the meantime, I just shot some flat black paint in the opening.. It will be quite easy to use the DRL itself as a "buck" for forming a screen which will EXACTLY fit the opening. This is because the lens portion of the DRL is raised up and fits in a flange in the bumper skin. I also bagged and taped the DRL sockets against water entry behind the bumper skin.

If you ask me, it seems as if the Nissan engineers had this exactly in mind for racing purposes.

I really like the look...........whadda ya think?



Here's the finished product:

Here's the link to the front bumper skin removal. (A big thank-you to forum member DIGITonium..):tiphat:

http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...r-removal.html

that looks better without them. :) almost looks like it has a purpose.

Hmm, I really like the LED's, gave the car a more updated look. But to each is his own.

Well done. I like where you're headed with this

Hell yes. Much better.

I agree, I love the look of the LEDs, it's like they moved the fangs!

Interesting. I really don't think the DRL location is a good place to put the brake ducts. Fang area would be better what with pressure zones and duct routing, but to each their own.

+1 on the look with the DRLs on :) Btw, I've updated that bumper removal DYI (last post) with my own OCD way of removing the front bumper of a 2013 :D

I like it, I always thought Nissan screwed up putting the DRLs on the newer Z. It's like they missed the boat but still tried to make the jump. After thoughts always look like just that, an after thought. I am not sure about the location for brake ducts but I would assume it would help.

maybe this would be better for an oil cooler or such. brakes i doubt you can make it function properly.

kudos on trying it though. :tup:

:iagree:
Looks good, but with the location and turns for brake cooling, this opening would be perfect for an oil cooler instead or maybe power-steering.

Happen to notice what may look like an easy way to turn those into running lights while you were taking them out? I personally (as well as a few others here) would like to have those suckers on with my lights as well.

Also, do you plan on selling them or holding on to them in case you decide to put them back?

It would be simple to add a switch, or just hook them to a wire that's hot with ignition on. They only have two wires each. The plugs (not the light body, just the plugs) are easily reachable by peeling back the inner wheelwell.

As far as the lites themselves, I'll hang onto them if I ever sell the car.

Did you ever complete this project?