2nd gen grill: L7 or C-mod?

[hapatimmy]

Currently I have a C-mod grill on my BD GT like in this picture:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/09/untitled2-1.jpg

Here's a pic of the L7 grill:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/09/Subaru_Legacy_Wagon_2nd_generation-1.jpg

but after noticing so many more L7 grills on my generation, I'm wondering if I really made the best decision. The C-mod grill gives it that clean, debadged look while looking stock to the non-legacy-enthusiast eye. While the L7 grill is really more badass, and is more true to the legacy's roots. I'm not sure which one I really think looks better, so I'd like your guys' opinion.

Thanks

[slaytalera]

i like the L7 better...C-mod always makes me think of that nerdy guy in high school with his glasses taped together

[MarkSubi]

where did you get the C-mod, I think it looks badass cuz its clean

[hallowpoint]

never liked the "c-mod" grill with a stock usdm front end just something about it.

[j_saffron]

i like the L7 better...C-mod always makes me think of that nerdy guy in high school with his glasses taped together wow, i can see that...

i don't like C-mod because it covers up a portion of the inside headlamp. not very harmonious, and looks like it was forced into place on usdm.

[hapatimmy]

I got the grill off eBay.

Ya the C-mod grill does look forced in (which it kind of is), but I do like how it cut off the inside of the headlamps. Another question: Does the L7 grill always come with a black rim? I couldn't handle that silver rim on the stock grill.

[iampetro]

i have an L7 and it came with a chrome rim :roll:

all about the L7, i have lots of people give my car a double take because knowone knows what it is.

there are green and red L7 grills but its all about the turbo red :grin:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/ (http://img122.imageshack.us/i/jdmlovin009.jpg/)

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/ (http://img525.imageshack.us/i/picture002vcn.jpg/)

[chuckthefuk]

C-Mod is 100% GARBAGE. The fiberglass knock off of the JDM fiberglass grille is awful. I'v had both. The C-Mod grille does not fit properly. The 90 dergree lip where you would attach the grille to the rad support is more like 120 degree. IMPOSSIBLE to fit properly without re-fiberglassing the lip and the edges that are suppose to cover the inside of the headlight. ABSOLUTE GARBAGE!

Now the L7 is pure sexyness when it comes to fitment and style. looks good and fits well PERIOD.

Heres an L7 i did for a friend. The chrome was kinda cheesy for his taste so flat black was sprayed.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/
-Chuck

[hapatimmy]

Oh man it's really unanimous, except with Legacy noobs. The L7 is the obvious choice. I thought I made the best choice getting the C-mod grill, but now I regret it. I wanna be known for having an original Legacy, not a badgeless mysterious front end. It's amazing how JDM always wins.

Ya the C-mod grill was very difficult to get on the car. I made holes in the grill to fit those clips of the car. Took a while but I'm proud of how it worked out. Still, I know that C-mod grill is a piece of shit.

I am definitely getting an L7 grill in the future, hopefully with a black rim. Otherwise I could paint it like chuckthefuk. It looks pretty good.

[anothernord]

I've got a C-mod grill, I like the look, but like others have said it is difficult to make fit perfectly. It looks fine from a distance, but up close you can see some gaps over the headlights.

[2.5GT]

L7 grille and call it a day :grin:

[GT_WAGON]

The L7 grill looks awesome. Is there two versions of this grill? I've heard there is a long and a short type and only the long one fits our N/A Legacy's properly. Is this true? Also how can I tell the difference?

Cheers!

-Jordan

[chuckthefuk]

The L7 grill looks awesome. Is there two versions of this grill? I've heard there is a long and a short type and only the long one fits our N/A Legacy's properly. Is this true? Also how can I tell the difference?

http://www.submariner.org/thepno95/Pictures/Subaru/old%20style%20vs%20new%20style%20bumper.JPG
--> http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthr ... ?t=1815703 (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1815703)

short grill on a tall style bumper (GT/Outback/etc)
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/3848/grillejdmmid11870851192.jpg

-Chuck

[iampetro]

yup i heard somewhere there could be a gap when i got it but i was lucky, perfect fit :grin:

[d1giPhux]

Chuck.. what type of flat black paint did you use on that? I got some satin krylon fusion and it looks good on mine.. but i might got a bit more 'flat' with the color. Any pics of it on the car? Let me know!

Also.. as far as i know.. all of the L7 grills have chrome lips.. till it peels off. :lol:

[Red Baron]

Chuck.. what type of flat black paint did you use on that? I got some satin krylon fusion and it looks good on mine.. but i might got a bit more 'flat' with the color. Any pics of it on the car? Let me know!

Also.. as far as i know.. all of the L7 grills have chrome lips.. till it peels off. :lol:


I did my own custom grill, and when I painted it I just used some Rustoleum, satin black, all purpose paint. I think it came out gorgeous. My dad painted his motorcycle with rustoleum paint, and it hasn't worn or faded at all over these past 4 years.

Here's some pics of my grill.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/09/28ulc3-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/09/9fr888-1.jpg

[Plays_with_Toys]

The L7 grill looks awesome. Is there two versions of this grill? I've heard there is a long and a short type and only the long one fits our N/A Legacy's properly. Is this true? Also how can I tell the difference?

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/
--> http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthr ... ?t=1815703 (http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1815703)

short grill on a tall style bumper (GT/Outback/etc)
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/

-Chuck

Technically that's the tall grill. The short grills are mesh style, not with the single horizontal vane across it. What happened is that the 95/96 grills are straight from headlight to headlight, but the later bumpers dip down. In japan, the dip was not as a deep as the USDM ones. I had a comparison thread way back in the day... I wonder if I can dig it up.

[Plays_with_Toys]

Here's the thread, but no one ever contributed images of the later bumpers haha...

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=6268&p=72621&hilit=grill#p72621 (https://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=6268&p=72621&hilit=grill#p72621)

[anothernord]

Here's what the C-mod grill looks like on my Outback. There is a 1 cm gap at the bottom but it isn't too noticeable. I think I'm finally going to paint it to match the car tomorrow...

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/04/IMG_3085-1.jpg

[hapatimmy]

yes anothernord you definitely need to paint your grill I would like to see how that looks after.

Here's a pic of my car with the C-mod grill
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/09/0921091808-1.jpg

Personally I think the C-mod grill looks better with the USDM headlights.
Once I have money I may move into the all JDM look.

[1-3-2-4]

C-Mod is 100% GARBAGE. The fiberglass knock off of the JDM fiberglass grille is awful. I'v had both. The C-Mod grille does not fit properly. The 90 dergree lip where you would attach the grille to the rad support is more like 120 degree. IMPOSSIBLE to fit properly without re-fiberglassing the lip and the edges that are suppose to cover the inside of the headlight. ABSOLUTE GARBAGE!

Now the L7 is pure sexyness when it comes to fitment and style. looks good and fits well PERIOD.

Heres an L7 i did for a friend. The chrome was kinda cheesy for his taste so flat black was sprayed.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/
-Chuck
A question about the L7 grill did they all come with chrome around it or was that done by you?

[d1giPhux]

All of them have the chrome trim.. and when it flakes off.. people generally paint them black.. like i did. However.. i did the 'satin' black as well.. and i still think its too bright. maybe it will fade a bit with time.. but I'm really wondering where chuck got that flat black.. and how it looks on the face of the car!

[1-3-2-4]

I only ask because I think it looks better without the chrome around it.

[geckoboy86]

I say make a custom.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/02/100_0755JPG-1.jpg

I feel like a noob, but what exactly does the L7 stand for?

[)2edline]

I've had both, and while I was devastated when my L7 was demolished under my car after a bump, I scavenged the badge.

Be like me, and do a hybrid! L7 badge tucked in with a mesh backing with the c-mod, I have no idea how it'll look, but i have something one a kind on this board. I've seen RS and other badges stuck on with the c-mod, but never the L7, probably cus no one ever destroyed one, lawl.

[Huffer]

I've had both, and honestly I noticed the gap under the L7 grill way more than the C-Mod one. Might have been because I have a white car.

I like both, but everyone's got an L7 these days.
If you want to see a CMod done right, check out sybir's wagon.

[jduldula]

I like them both, but i noticed alot have the L7 so I voted cmod (which is what I have). Go Cmod if your handy and can make it look good. Or a L7 for a quick fix.

[4n70n1n0]

or go custom on the stock GT grill

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/01/4143236062_5e26f6f90b-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/01/4143236818_7c90844166-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2010/01/4142478293_ce7320e9a6-1.jpg

Best fitting grill out of them all

My JDM L7 grill will be up for sale again and yes the chrome is pealing on it too

[Dead91silvia]

I'm I JDM nut.... L7 has my vote....

I'm going to color match mine when I do get it...

[ScaryFatKidGT]

or go custom on the stock GT grill

Best fitting grill out of them all

My JDM L7 grill will be up for sale again and yes the chrome is pealing on it too

Id be interested

So theres no way to install and L7 grill with out a gap? unless you got a jdm bumper?

Iv always wanted to do a custom/wrx grill and stick a STi grill badge on it.

[jospgut]

i like them both, i have the L7 and i think the car looks more stock from the outside,looks more subaru lol, with the other one people can get confuse of what car is it... thats what i like,

[j_saffron]

I feel like a noob, but what exactly does the L7 stand for?

i believe its just two "L's" (no seven)
and just represents Legacy.

ive seen a Forester alternate emblem that has two F's back to back.

and the common impreza ' i '

[jospgut]

IM NOT REALLY SURE BUT I THINK THERE ARE TWO L's, ONE IS UP SIDE DOWN, FOR LEGACY LIBERTY???? CORRECT ME IF IM WRONG

[Sambo]

I started out reading this liking the C-mod then after seeing everyone's car with the L7 i have to say i like the L7 a lot Better and where do i get one haha

[B's Legacy Wagon]

Hard to say i like the look of both of them. i personally was looking at getting a liberal grill if possible looks similar and might go well with the little lite cover things that go accross the top of the lights.[attachment=2:vd1jz2e8]grill.jpg[/attachment:vd1jz2e8][attachment=0:vd1jz2e8]purple wagon.jpg[/attachment:vd1jz2e8]

[hapatimmy]

that last post killed this topic.

[BG5guy]

L7 all the way. No comparison. The turbo red turns heads. I get behind WRX's almost everyday and they dont mess w/ me cuz they know what the L7 stands for and dont wanna get smashed by a 97 wagon. Anyone wanting an easy mod, go with the L7