pef427

I'm looking for pics and suggestions on what brand/why/ and where to get them. Should I get front flares as well or just the rear since I don't want wide anything wider up front?

-Patrick

StingrayDK

If you want the L88 flares these are the ones:
http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=1.165.3484


If you dont want the wide look on the front i suggest you do something different like patsnitrovet who has a set of smaller flares at the rear and nothing on the front.

These flares will not make sense on the rear only.

comp

pef427

Wow, those are a little pricey. Is that a true replica of an L-88 or just that company's style. I like the ones that taper back under the rear fender. If Patsnitro is around, please comment on your selction and why? Thanks.

enkeivette

I plan to copy Pat when I'm ready for a new paint job.

PatsLs1vette

I dont know what brand i have but there smaller then the l-88 flares and i added alittle bit to them.I only did the rears because i wanted to keep the front looking the same and still run a 8 inch front rim.i guess i gained somewhere around 2 1/2 inchs or more i nthe back to fit the 17x9.5 with 4 1/8 bs,reason i didnt go bigger is cause i have a 3/4 sway bar still and it wouldve rubbed.But i might be removing that and going with a shorter rear spring and make my own offset trailing arms to fit 17x11's.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...52841409qxvYZx

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...52841409wrZvSM

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...52841409ytBdJP

pef427

Where did you get them? I like it!

PatsLs1vette

i had got them from a guy on ebay you couldnt remember where he bought them from,a couple guy on here thought they knew what they were,twinturbo has my front flares for his vette maybe hell know what they were.

Twin_Turbo

There are 2 common types of flares, the ones w/ the mudflaps like pat has and the non mudflap ACI L88 ones that are the same as the original GM ones back in the days.

The ZL1 flares are available in 2 different widths, I think Ecklers sells them but not sure. Showcars-bodyparts does have them but I heard some bad stuff about them, maybe it's true..maybe not. however, their (crappy) website does show what's out there.
http://www.showcars-bodyparts.com/corvette.html'

The ACI flares are just flare arches, the ZL1 flares are more of a quarter panel.

Here are the showcars ZL flares, 4"wide:

69Myway

Here is a tutorial for the do-it-yourselfer that wants to know what is involved in installing a set. We had to modify these to have "mud flaps" to fit the 81 body. These are ACI brand flares. They are said to be pulled off an actual L88 race car. I tend to believe it because they are not symetrical. These require a considerable amount of hand work to get them to lay in place and look right.

http://mcspeed.homestead.com/Flare_Install.html

You can see my flares at

www.mcspeed.homestead.com

You can see another set we installed and added the "mud flaps" at www.tropiczoneracing.com

Twin_Turbo

why not just cut off the mudflaps??? I'm grafting mine to an 82 body, just a little cutting and it fits like a champ. The yellow part on the bottom needs to come off

kursed56

Beautiful cars! The black Vette is outstanding.

patsnitrovette, I love the look you of your car, whats the story on the headlights? Is that a kit or a self "fabricated" piece? I love the round headlights. Im looking at a 74 with the square lights but cant stand them, the round just goes so much better with the car.

69Myway

Not a big deal either way. It is just a matter of preference and style. Some people like the mud flap bottom. In the case of TZracer and the black 81, they wanted to retain that part of the look to the car so we simply molded it in with the flare. I like the non-mud flap look as it really accentuates the tires.

Twin_Turbo

I don't like the mudflap either...I'm cutting it off.

69Myway

If you look close at the 81 Vette we went for a compromise look. We took a roll of tape and held it up against the roughed in flare. I then traced on the inside edge of the tape roll to get a symetrical curve to the lower flare area. We then trimmed off the flare and smoothed and hand workd that in place.

On the 71 Vette we built to the edge of the stock lower mud flap area.

It is interesting to note when I have traveled with the 71 Vette and ran through mud puddles, his mud flap area do a great job keeping the road grime off the body of the car. My car spins the wet mud and crud straight out and up splatting it all over the sides of the car.

PatsLs1vette

There L-88 headlights,i got the covers from guldstrand motorsports but there are other suppliers,i made the buckets from dimensions from an original set,but you can buy everything from themand other companys,but there not cheap.I still havent decied if im gone to paint them body color leave them black and black out the buckets too.

pef427

Thanks Chris,
I like the non-mud flap look, so where can I purchase a set? Ecklers listed the whole panel ZL1. Not interested in that look. I think just the flares to mold into fender is what I would prefer.

69Myway

Contact these guys, or a vendor that sells their flares.

http://www.acivette.com/aci0004m.htm

Twin_Turbo

Mid America sells them for 100$ less than direct from ACI.

69autoXr

ACI/factory L-88 style