Splash guards for base model
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Splash guards for base model
I'm considering purchasing splash guards for my 1LT Z51 to help prevent damage to my paint from road debris. Looked all over the forum and seems like most people talking about this are Z06 or GS owners. Is this an issue with base models since the wheels don't extend out as far? If it is an issue, are the ACS guards the best at preventing damage? That seems to be the consensus from what I can tell.
Thanks in advance for any advice you guys might have.
Kevin
Thanks in advance for any advice you guys might have.
Kevin
#2
Le Mans Master
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I'm considering purchasing splash guards for my 1LT Z51 to help prevent damage to my paint from road debris. Looked all over the forum and seems like most people talking about this are Z06 or GS owners. Is this an issue with base models since the wheels don't extend out as far? If it is an issue, are the ACS guards the best at preventing damage? That seems to be the consensus from what I can tell.
Thanks in advance for any advice you guys might have.
Kevin
Thanks in advance for any advice you guys might have.
Kevin
I decided not to install the splash guards and all is well with my car at 23,500 miles. Only blemishes I have are on the factory film, and that was minor. None of the stone blemishes went to the paint. Just on the plastic.
#3
Racer
Thread Starter
Very good question! And I have some first hand observations and experience. I was considering splash guards also. So at a meet up last summer I looked at the 2014 Stingrays and some of them had considerable mileage on them. The only stone chip blemishes were on that factory film just in front of the rear wheels. No chips or blemishes behind the front or rear wheels.
I decided not to install the splash guards and all is well with my car at 23,500 miles. Only blemishes I have are on the factory film, and that was minor. None of the stone blemishes went to the paint. Just on the plastic.
I decided not to install the splash guards and all is well with my car at 23,500 miles. Only blemishes I have are on the factory film, and that was minor. None of the stone blemishes went to the paint. Just on the plastic.
#4
Le Mans Master
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St. Jude Donor '15
They're inexpensive, easy to install and don't look bad, all for extra protection. Win win win in my book.
#5
Go Canes!
A lot of guys are putting side skirts instead which would also serve as protectors for the sides of the car between the wheels. I think that will be my next mod after wheels & tires!!
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kaufmansm (12-09-2016)
#7
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#8
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
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I'm considering purchasing splash guards for my 1LT Z51 to help prevent damage to my paint from road debris. Looked all over the forum and seems like most people talking about this are Z06 or GS owners. Is this an issue with base models since the wheels don't extend out as far? If it is an issue, are the ACS guards the best at preventing damage? That seems to be the consensus from what I can tell.
Thanks in advance for any advice you guys might have.
Kevin
Thanks in advance for any advice you guys might have.
Kevin
Just posted this on a similar thread:
I bought side skirts for function, not the intended increased down-force at high speeds but to stop pebbles from marking the GM plastic protection and rocker panels!
Recall on my '88 and '93 Vettes had damage because of the wheels throwing up rocks. On my '08 C6 bought contoured rather large and matching color splash guards as soon as I got the car. They worked although some thought they were a bit tacky! They are not available for the C7 and in fact, IMO would not look good or work because of the Coke bottle shape.
Bought the GM splash guards when I got my C7. Rears work find because the body panel is not in line with rocks when the splash guards are added, However the fronts were not doing much. Once you look at where GM put that heavy protective plastic (from the center of the door to the rear wheel opening) you can see those small front splash guards are not very effective.
Added Carbon Fiber Side Skirts and they stopped all marking and allowed me to remove the discolored, marked up GM plastic protectant.
After 3 years my rocker panels look new.
Your car your choice!
Last edited by JerryU; 12-09-2016 at 01:25 PM.
#9
Instructor
If you have side skirts definitely get the ACS splash guards for the front, as they extend farther down and farther out. Either way, I think the splash guards are a sound investment, and don't detract from the car at all.
#10
Safety Car
I added a set. No idea if they will help, but can't hurt . . .
#11
Racer
Thread Starter
Looks like the color is a perfect match on yours. Are they ACS? Where did you get them? I'm curious if the paint would fade or get chipped over the long term. Will probably go with ACS but can't decide on black or painted to match the car.
#12
Safety Car
Thanks! Mine were from RPI. Look really nice--like you mentioned, hope they hold up!
#13
Racer
Thread Starter
#14
Splase guards
I now have both the Splash Guards and Side Skirts. From the 2 road trips I took (~ 2500 miles each), 1 with just the Splash Guards, then one with both, I believe the Side Skirts do help protect much more than just the Splash Guards. I also have the RPI color guards. Good Luck!!
They come as a set, front and read price ~$200 per set.
They come as a set, front and read price ~$200 per set.
Last edited by OL2yellr; 12-09-2016 at 05:51 PM.
#15
Racer
Thread Starter
I now have both the Splash Guards and Side Skirts. From the 2 road trips I took (~ 2500 miles each), 1 with just the Splash Guards, then one with both, I believe the Side Skirts do help protect much more than just the Splash Guards. I also have the RPI color guards. Good Luck!!
They come as a set, front and read price ~$200 per set.
Attachment 48044015
Attachment 48044016
They come as a set, front and read price ~$200 per set.
Attachment 48044015
Attachment 48044016
#17
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My take is that the GM splash guards provide good body protection and improve the look of the wheel well. No splash guard is going to protect the body in front of the rear wheels. You need "side skirts" for that protection. And if you keep the splash guards black they almost disappear from view. And that's good.
RPI Stage One and GM Splash Guards:
RPI Stage One and GM Splash Guards:
Last edited by Walt White Coupe; 12-09-2016 at 07:09 PM.
#18
Racer
Thread Starter
I know what you mean. I sent them a note to confirm that it was a set of 4. Here was the actual link to what I purchased: LINK
#19
Racer
Thread Starter
My take is that the GM splash guards provide good body protection and improve the look of the wheel well. No splash guard is going to protect the body in front of the rear wheels. You need "side skirts" for that protection. And if you keep the splash guards black they almost disappear from view. And that's good.
RPI Stage One and GM Splash Guards:
RPI Stage One and GM Splash Guards:
#20
Safety Car
The other protection option I added was SunTek film on rocker panel up to that lower crease (flare?) on the door. Going to skip the skirt for now.
Last edited by JonMN; 12-09-2016 at 08:31 PM.