About the Video
2018-2023 Mustang Cervinis C-Series Upper & Lower Grille Kit - Install & Review
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Published on 2018-11-02
Improve the front end of your 2018-2023 Mustang with this Cervini C-Series grille kit! These grilles not only improve the look of your Mustang but also improve the performance! Cervini designed this kit with an increased open surface area which allows greater airflow to help cool the engine. The partitions on the sides provide an intimidating look that can't be beaten! These partitions and overall grille shells are finished in matte black for a great look on any color Mustang!
Fitment Note
- Redesigned to fit with safe and smart package!
- Must remove shutters on non-pp GT and Ecoboost. After removal, no DTC codes or warnings will appear on the dash.
Application
Fits 2018-2023 Mustang GT
Fits 2018-2023 Mustang Ecoboost
Transcript
What’s up everyone? Landan with lmr.com! Today I’ll be taking a look at the C-series grilles from Cervini designed the 2018 Mustang.
These grilles from Cervini’s is going to be for the Mustang enthusiast out there wanting to change up the look of the front of their S550.
Cervini’s designs each grille with their unique C-series styling right here in the USA so the quality, fit and finish, and overall display of the product are second to none.
Comparing these grilles to that of the factory grilles found on the GT and EcoBoost Mustangs, you’ll notice that it drastically improves air flow to the condenser and radiator.
Both the upper and lower grille are constructed from very durable polyurethane and finished in a matte black so that it blends well with the rest of the exterior trim.
Behind each of the grilles is metal honeycomb mesh grille that is powder coated black.
Cervini’s does provide detailed instructions and of course all necessary hardware to properly install each grille into your Mustang.
Currently, each grille is sold by itself or in a kit, and are designed to work with the 2018 Ecoboost and GT Mustangs with or without the safe and smart package.
Today, we’ll be installing one of these C-series grille kits into this 2018 GT.
To begin, support the front of the car or the entire vehicle with a lift.
Remove the front wheels for additional clearance.
Pop the hood and support it via the prop rod.
Remove the push pins securing the radiator cover.
Remove the radiator cover.
Loosen and remove the small 5.5mm bolts.
There is one on each side of the bumper.
Loosen and remove the 6, 8mm bolts.
From within the wheel-well, remove the three outboard push pins.
Pull back the splash shield.
Loosen and remove the 2, 10mm bumper to fender retaining nuts.
Do this for the other side.
From underneath the car, remove the 15, 7mm screws.
Pass the top of the bumper over the small dowels on the core support.
Carefully dislodge the push pin from the bumper to fender bracket.
Set the fender bracket aside.
Do this for the other side.
Bring the bumper forward and disconnect any connected electrical connections.
The bumper can now be removed from the car.
Reverse the steps to reinstall the bumper.
You’re all finished.
With the front bumper removed from the car…
Loosen and remove the four 8mm bolts securing the shutter assembly.
There are two in the center and two on the bottom.
Dislodge the ambient temperature sensor and position it out of the way.
Dislodge and remove the 2, upper push pins.
From behind the shutter assembly, loosen and remove the 5.5mm(7/32) screws.
Unclip the shutter support bracket and bring the assembly forward.
Disconnect the electrical connection.
The shutter assembly is now free to come out.
On the passenger side radiator deflector, remove the push pin just behind the bumper support.
For non-performance pack cars, loosen and remove the outboard 8mm bolt from the lower shutter assembly brace.
Pass this bolt through one of the provided small, aluminum brackets.
Reinstall the bolt and fully tighten.
Ensure that the angled bend facing toward the rear.
Position the side deflector over the outside of the bracket.
Reuse the push pin you just removed to secure the deflector to the bracket.
Trim some of the plastic barbs from push pin if needed.
If you have a performance car, utilize the provided 1/4-20 bolt and speed clip to retain the aluminum bracket.
Repeat these steps for the other side.
From behind the bumper support, dislodge the plastic fasteners securing the harness.
Position the harness out of the way.
Remove all of the factory installed fasteners.
The next steps involving decal application only applies to light colored cars.
Take this time to thoroughly wipe the top of the support with isopropyl alcohol.
Cut each of the three decal sections into three separate pieces.
Remove the long piece and spray some decal application solution to the side with the adhesive.
A drop of dish soap and water does the trick as well.
Align the decal and then squeegee out any water.
A hair dryer or heat gun will help evaporate the solution.
Conform the decal to the bumper support.
Repeat these steps for the other two decals.
They will install onto the passenger side frame rail.
Once this is complete, use the provided zip ties to secure the factory harness.
Use this time to wrap the shutter assembly electrical connection with electric tape.
Cut the preinstalled harness clip and then tuck it out of the way.
Position the bumper on a work bench.
Remove the plastic impact bar by dislodging the plastic clips.
To remove the upper grille, dislodge all of the clips with a screwdriver.
You’ll scratch a few of the tabs; but don’t worry, these aren’t visible.
Remove the upper grille from the bumper and repeat the steps for the lower grille.
Wipe down the each grille opening.
Position the Cervini’s lower grille into place.
Verify that the plastic tab on the bumper sits inside of the small channel on the Cervini’s grille.
Starting at the top and in the center, position a clip loosely tighten one of the provided screws.
Do this for all of the attachment points.
Verify that the grille is in position and then fully tighten the screws.
Repeat these steps for the upper grille.
Align each of the mesh inserts for the upper grille and then secure them with the provided screws.
Repeat these steps for the lower mesh inserts.
Because of the design of the Cervini’s grilles, the plastic impact bar must be installed onto the bumper support.
Clean the front side of the support with isopropyl alcohol.
Use the provided double sided tape and apply it to the backside of the plastic impact bar.
Remove the backing from the tape.
To ensure that the impact bar will be centered on the bumper support, find the center of the support and place a mark.
Install the plastic impact bar onto the bumper support.
Apply pressure to fully adhere the double sided tape.
Install one of the angled brackets on the lowermost stud on the back of the bumper support.
Use one of the provided nuts to secure it, but don’t fully tighten it at this time.
Install the second bracket on the other side.
Loosen and remove the bolt that was previously installed to secure the small aluminum bracket.
Position the lower support bracket behind the aluminum bracket.
Reinstall the bolt, but don’t fully tighten.
Use the provided hardware to secure the angled bracket to the lower bracket.
Pass the bolt through the top, then slide on a lock washer followed by a nut.
Repeat these steps for the other side.
Verify that the brackets are aligned with the lower close out panel and then carefully tighten all of the hardware associated with the brackets.
Reinstall the ambient temperature sensor.
At this time, you can reinstall the bumper.
Ensure that you reconnect the electrical connections, fully seat all clips, and reinstall the associated hardware.
Before reinstalling your wheels, apply anti-seize to the face of the rotor and studs.
Reinstall the wheels.
Get the car on the ground and torque the lug nuts to 150 lb-ft.
After that, you’re all finished.
All in all here guys, I think the juice is worth is the squeeze on this one.
Yes, there are several tedious steps you have to do in order to install these grilles, but once they’re on the car… I did get that small grin of satisfaction that every car guy or girl gets when they like what they see.
You will need a decent selection of tools and some other specialty items as you saw during the install.
For Ecoboost and non-performance pack GT owners, you will have to remove the factory shutters…. Don’t worry, removing these will not affect performance or cause a check engine light.
As far as fitment goes, Cervini’s did a really nice job utilizing all of the factory mounting points for this grille.
The included vinyl should only be needed for lighter cars.
