The bow tie drill

[blautens]

So I got my new Empire Motorsports polished aluminum bow tie (with perimeter outline - like there weren't enough choices) from forum sponsor stylinconcepts.com, just itching to be installed...so me and the dog (she's not handy with tools as I'd like, actually) get up this morning early and decide to install it.

First of all, thanks to those who suggested just removing the 5 grill clips, not the entire grill - the posting saved me a few minutes.

Here's my tip - the holes were about 3/16" off - I had to drill them out (towards the driver's side). Not difficult, it's only plastic, but somewhat disappointing from a QC standpoint (I guess Empire, not GM?). But from something that really should be strictly a bolt on...

But it does look great. Pix will be in my gallery.

[Blulytes]

Looks good!!!

[ieatglue]

Nice looking bowtie :)

[Dacomputernerd]

Sweet! Looks good!

[BlackSSinMN]

Looks Great!! I just ordered the same thing, not very happy to hear about the drilling!

[NVR2FST]

For what it's worth, I have the TM Machine/ GM Licensed version on my truck and it went right on without drilling.

[Envoy Fan]

For what it's worth, I have the TM Machine/ GM Licensed version on my truck and it went right on without drilling.

How about a source or link for the TM Machine version :yes:



blautins, good mod :cool:

[B 4 U]

My Empire aluminum bowtie was a tight fit, but didn't need any drilling. Just a few swear words and a good push. I also had my grill completely off.

[TX_SS]

My Empire bow-tie didn't need any drilling either. I remember the fit of the mounting posts being snug through the factory holes, but it fit right in there with no problem.

[rbowen9895]

Here is a link for the TM Bow Tie.


http://www.brandsport.com/index.html

[Vince]

I have a Grille Ware bowtie. It fit fine with no drilling.

[blautens]

Thanks for the nice compliments.

FWIW, the Empire Motorsports bow tie is GM licensed as well...not sure if that's a guarantee of quality or a guarantee that GM is merely getting a piece (my guess is the latter).

Come to think of it...I flipped the bow tie and the problem was the same....so if the bowtie was the item with the poorly aligned holes, the problem would go away or get worse in another direction...right?

Maybe my grill holes are just off.

[ieatglue]

Just had a thought, I think it will only fit one way. Are you sure it wasn't up-side down? :confused:

[blautens]

Pretty sure it fit the same both ways...slightly to the left, wouldn't insert in the recess flush.

[ieatglue]

Yes I know. When i painted my bowtie black and went to put it back on, it didn't fit into it's place, it was a bit off ot the right, but when i flipped it around, it worked fine. The nuts holding my bowtie into place are very awkward looking, they're a piece of metal that twists onto the plastic nubs of the bowtie. Another GM 'money saving' rip off?

[B 4 U]

I washed the SS today for another coat of wax. I have noticed that my billet aluminum bow-tie has etch marks or spots of corrosion. I did use metal polish on it the first time this happened, then coated it in wax, but still the same problem. I assume this is from the road salt here in MN. Has anyone taken the aluminum bow-tie and coated it with a clear coat for protection?

[Envoy Fan]

I washed the SS today for another coat of wax. I have noticed that my billet aluminum bow-tie has etch marks or spots of corrosion. I did use metal polish on it the first time this happened, then coated it in wax, but still the same problem. I assume this is from the road salt here in MN. Has anyone taken the aluminum bow-tie and coated it with a clear coat for protection?

I had a billet aluminum bow tie on our '01 Tahoe. It turned dull in a short time and never polished out. Finally took it off and put the OEM back in. :(

I have never had good luck with billet staying that polished look. :duh: I think I would do chrome if I did it again.

[ieatglue]

After spray painting mine black, i coated it with 3 coats of clear gloss. Can was about $4. The bowtie has no cracks/peeling and no fading paint :)

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c313/rawad_db20/HPIM0142.jpg

[TB SS]

I had the same issue with my Empire Billet bowtie with outline. Not really requireing a drill.. just an elongation of the holes with a rat tail file a bit to fit. And yes, the grill bowtie holes are non-semetrical so there is only one correct way to put them on (aftermarket or OEM).

[lacer_2005]

So those of you who had no problems with the Empire bow-tie, did you get outline or no outline?? I see two of you with outline have fitting issues....I ordered no outline so I wonder if that makes a difference in fit (although it shouldn't).:undecided

[NVR2FST]

My TM Machine one has the outline and I had no issues. I did have one without the outline and it was a thinner emblem and you could see where the studs screwed in to fasten it...didn't look very good.

[SS TITANIC]

So I got my new Empire Motorsports polished aluminum bow tie (with perimeter outline - like there weren't enough choices) from forum sponsor stylinconcepts.com, just itching to be installed...so me and the dog (she's not handy with tools as I'd like, actually) get up this morning early and decide to install it.

First of all, thanks to those who suggested just removing the 5 grill clips, not the entire grill - the posting saved me a few minutes.

Here's my tip - the holes were about 3/16" off - I had to drill them out (towards the driver's side). Not difficult, it's only plastic, but somewhat disappointing from a QC standpoint (I guess Empire, not GM?). But from something that really should be strictly a bolt on...

But it does look great. Pix will be in my gallery.looks great, how was the old one on? glue or bolt and how about the back one? how much was the new bowtie and do you have a website to order one? thanks

[blautens]

Thanks.

The old one (front) is held on by two 10mm bolts (sort of plastic like ones). Check the Articles section on this site for the grill removal article, and just pop loose the 4 clips on the top of the grill and the one by the bow tie to reach those two bolts (thanks to other's pioneering efforts - that's not my tip, but it sure works well).

As for the rear, the rear bow tie is glued on...I used fishing line to slice through it and my finger to peel back the bulk of the adhesive left behind, then Goo Gone removed the rest.

The TrailBlazer emblem on the rear came off with my fingers, as I recall...not much adhesive holding those letters. Goo Gone made short work of the rest. If it's cold where you are (it was a brisk 80 degrees when I did it :) ), I find that emblem adhesive likes a hair dryer to make it more pliable.

I bought my bow tie from forum sponsor stylinconcepts.com, but I imagine other people have them, too...just trying to repay the sponsors. The site had a canned response about some bizarre ship times (like 2-4 weeks), but it shipped ground from CA and it got to FL in a week or so from last click.

Enjoy.

Oh yeah, I forgot, the emblem was like $50 shipped, I think.

[SS TITANIC]

SWEET, THANKS

[lacer_2005]

As for the rear, the rear bow tie is glued on...I used fishing line to slice through it and my finger to peel back the bulk of the adhesive left behind, then Goo Gone removed the rest.

If you want silver for the rear, the gold overlay on the factory rear bow-tie pops off and leaves a polished look behind. I have pics of mine in my gallery.

[B 4 U]

I finally got my aluminum bow-tie powder coated to protect it from all of the salt and crap here in MN. The picture makes it looks more silver because of the sunlight. Pic is in my gallery.

http://gallery.trailvoy.com/showphoto.php/photo/2085/cat/503/ppuser/1605

[Blulytes]

very nice!!!!

[ieatglue]

:iagree: Looks good :thumbsup: