[GTXgp]

Got my goodies from oeminsigniaparts.com this week, and couldn't wait to get started!

The instructions he has on the website do a pretty good job, but typical GM instructions do leave much to be desired. Here is a quick run-through of the swap:

Starting with the bumper, there are 6 bolts under the hood, all T20 Torx:

3 Bolts in the fender-well, T20 Torx:

4 Plastic retainer clips under the bumper:

Once that is all loose, you can just pull the bumper out from under the headlight:

There are two electrical connectors that you will need to undo before fully removing the bumper:

There was one HIDDEN bolt, not listed on GM's instructions on the driver's side. It is strange because there is not a matching bracket on the passenger side You will want to do this BEFORE the electrical connectors and attempted bumper removal, LOL... I didn't know it was there:

Remove the foam crash bumper:

The only thing holding the grille in place at this point is 27 little plastic tabs:

These seem easy enough, but it is a combination of unlatching these and BRUTE force to get the damn grille loose. It had my buddy and I scratching our head trying to figure out how to get this off until we finally just gorilla'd it off. Sorry, no pics of this part cause we were too frustrated.

After that, the new grille just snaps into place on the clips, and viola:

 

[GTXgp]

Next was the engine cover badge, just take the hose off that runs along the front of the cover:

...and you can then lift the cover straight up. The buick badge is held in place with little plastic retainers, just bend these all straight and the badge will come right off:

The Opel badge just clips back in its place:

The wheel center caps are pretty straight-forward, just pop off, pop on:

I was worried about the door sills, because the instructions seem "complicated" on the website, but upon further inspection.... they are just metalized stickers and pull right off:

Followed by replacement with the Opel. I used some masking tape to mark the location of the stockers:

 

[GTXgp]

Finally, the trunk. I had already debadged the Buick and Regal GS logos so no pics of that. But, that is just a simple matter of a heat gun or hair dryer to loosen them... then some adhesive remover to get the gunk off that is left.

The Buick badge itself is just held in with pressure clips... so just pry on that and it pops right off:

HOWEVER, there was a surprise... and my first one of the day. Behind the Buick badge is black plastic. I knew from my prying before I started that this piece was seperate from the actual Buick badge, and I assumed that it would be reused with the Opel... I thought wrong:

The black plastic is SPECIFIC to the Buick, and the kit did not come with the Opel counterpart for this piece. I have already contacted Cebo and I am confident he will track down this piece and add it to the kit. In fact, the Buick plastic is curved versus the Opel being flat so there was no way for it to be reused. However, I was not about to leave a Buick badge on the back with Opel on the front so I improvised a solution. I had some black duct tape, and got to making my OWN black background:

...with a little trimming:

...and then the Opel badge:

Not pretty, but it will work until Cebo can get me the right part... and from a distance you can't even tell it is duct tape

Lastly, the rear badges... I used masking tape to get the location and level perfect before removing the adhesive backing:

Overall I am very happy with the conversion, it went very smooth and even taking our time it was a 2-hour job max. I also have a replacement airbag with Opel logo coming and I will update this thread with swap pics and info as soon as it arrives.

Adam

 

[cozbyrt]

Looks really good! Good job with the detailed installation instructions too.

 

[bpwilmoth]

Looks great!

 

[thestepchild]

looks good. I like it.

 

[amytorwalt]

Looks deadly. Let us know if they end up getting you the background clip for the rear badge. I will hold off on ordering until they have one.

 

[GTXgp]

So, things are not looking good for the Opel black plastic.

If you look at the Buick parts diagram, it does have a separate part for the black plastic, #8 below:

However, on the Opel parts diagram, there is no matching piece:

Cebo is still trying to track down the necessary part, but another member suggested I fashion my own plastic from a CD case. It took about 3 different attempts to get it perfect:

In the end, it came out very nice:

Adam

 

[88 E5PR1T]

Nice!!! All that's left is to powder coat the black into your wheels.

 

[taeedy]

Hi, does anyone know if the CXL's bumper can be swapped out with that of the GS's?
Also, as the GS's bumper seems straightforward in removal, can the same procedure be applied to the CXL's?

Many thanks to you all.

 

[@thlon]

Does anyone had his original Buick Logo for the tail.
the logo + the black backside.

 

[D4XVY]

looking good GTX

 

[bennyblaze]

GTX that is one fine looking vehicle!

 

[@thlon]

Do you need for the steering wheel an airbag with Opel Logo?
I have a brand new, never been used.

And I am looking for an Buick regal airbag with cover and logo?

Maybe a trade?

And We can make a deal that I sent the airbag first, so the person who wants can install it and then sent me his Buick airbag, so you don't have to drive without it.

Still nobody??

It is an original brandnew airbag leather with Opel Logo for the same steering wheel as OPC, please contact me, I am looking this for a while now.

 

[OPCMa]

Hello, nice Car the GS.
I´m writing from Germany. I want to buy in the USA some parts of the frontbumper of the Regal GS (2012). But there are some problems with a contact to "gmparts". They want to know my VIN but I`ve no VIN of a Regal GS. I`m driving an Opel Insignia OPC , the same car then the Regal GS, only with an V6 engine. Most parts are the same, esp. the front bumper and the parts of the air intake in the frontbumper at the left and right side (we told it "saber toothed").
Could you please give me your VIN, because GMPARTS don´t make something without it. Or do you have another idea, where I can get the parts ?
Can you please help me ? Thanks a lot.
Best regards.
OPCMa

 

[@thlon]

Hello, nice Car the GS.
I´m writing from Germany. I want to buy in the USA some parts of the frontbumper of the Regal GS (2012). But there are some problems with a contact to "gmparts". They want to know my VIN but I`ve no VIN of a Regal GS. I`m driving an Opel Insignia OPC , the same car then the Regal GS, only with an V6 engine. Most parts are the same, esp. the front bumper and the parts of the air intake in the frontbumper at the left and right side (we told it "saber toothed").
Could you please give me your VIN, because GMPARTS don´t make something without it. Or do you have another idea, where I can get the parts ?
Can you please help me ? Thanks a lot.
Best regards.
OPCMa

Just go to a Buga parts in Belgium, or maybe they have it in GErmany, or Fiat dealers.
Also speedshop in Belgium for all american parts.

 

[ThosHrubecky]

Did the airbag swap ever happen? Awesome job with the conversion.

TGH

 

[txschisler]

Thanks for posting pics!!

I had to replace a HID Ballast on my 2011 CXL 2.0. With your pics I was able to have bumper/grill off and both ballasts changed and all back together in less than an hour!!!! Saved me hundreds$$$$$$$$

 

[HighLimitEGO]

Can this kit work on 2013 non GS model?

 

[Gabriel_TA]

that's an enormous body of work! well done and thanks for detailed instructions - quite inspiring i must say)))