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I recently just bought this 2002 z06 with 35,000 miles and discovered this. I am at a loss of what to do. I have been thinking about carbon fenders but I don’t know which ones or how to install them.
Replacing the front fender isn't hard, but it does help to be somewhat mechanically inclined, have the right tools, etc. Really boils down to whether you want to do it yourself or not, there's really not TOO much that could go wrong if a mistake is made. Trying stuff like this is how a lot of us learned and got to be more comfortable and confident doing our own work
You can get an OEM replacement from a Corvette salvager (Vette Villains is a popular, reputable one) or eBay, and have a shop swap it out for you. Or just go through insurance if the cost of shop work will be prohibitive to you (should take a couple hours tops, but I wouldn't be surprised if book time is double that).
Replacing the front fender isn't hard, but it does help to be somewhat mechanically inclined, have the right tools, etc. Really boils down to whether you want to do it yourself or not, there's really not TOO much that could go wrong if a mistake is made. Trying stuff like this is how a lot of us learned and got to be more comfortable and confident doing our own work
You can get an OEM replacement from a Corvette salvager (Vette Villains is a popular, reputable one) or eBay, and have a shop swap it out for you. Or just go through insurance if the cost of shop work will be prohibitive to you (should take a couple hours tops, but I wouldn't be surprised if book time is double that).
Looks fine to me from the pictures posted. These fenders are polyurethane like the front and rear bumper covers, so they can usually take some abuse (something big must have hit yours just right). Swirl marks and light scratches can be polished out. Feels a little pricey to me, but shipping large body parts isn't cheap and I have no clue what going rate is for a used OEM fender. If you're good paying that price and it meets your time frame, go for it. If it were me personally, I'd check in with Vette Villains to see if they have one and how the price compares, as well as do a little more ebay searching in general just to get a good idea of what others are asking. There's no difference between a Z06 fender and base or convertible fender, so you don't have to specifically search for a Z06 fender.
Looks fine to me from the pictures posted. These fenders are polyurethane like the front and rear bumper covers, so they can usually take some abuse (something big must have hit yours just right). Swirl marks and light scratches can be polished out. Feels a little pricey to me, but shipping large body parts isn't cheap and I have no clue what going rate is for a used OEM fender. If you're good paying that price and it meets your time frame, go for it. If it were me personally, I'd check in with Vette Villains to see if they have one and how the price compares, as well as do a little more ebay searching in general just to get a good idea of what others are asking. There's no difference between a Z06 fender and base or convertible fender, so you don't have to specifically search for a Z06 fender.
i see nice to know, what are your thoughts on some of the carbon fiber fenders?
i see nice to know, what are your thoughts on some of the carbon fiber fenders?
I'd stay away from them. That's what I have on my car. I've installed 2 sets of fronts and 2 set of rears. They're VERY hit or miss and can be pretty involved in shimming and grinding. At their best, fitment still won't be on par with OEM. You're also in the market for new wheels if you go with them because they're at least an inch wider than stock.
i see nice to know, what are your thoughts on some of the carbon fiber fenders?
I have a set of TPS fenders from Corvette Creations…. I chose those versus the ones with a cutout for the rear markers solely because of pre drilled holes for installation. I didn’t mind the removal of the rear markers.
As far as installation, it seems really easy to removal basically all panels for this car.
I'd stay away from them. That's what I have on my car. I've installed 2 sets of fronts and 2 set of rears. They're VERY hit or miss and can be pretty involved in shimming and grinding. At their best, fitment still won't be on par with OEM. You're also in the market for new wheels if you go with them because they're at least an inch wider than stock.
I have heard that, what harm do think will be done if I just leave the hole for now? It’s pretty out of sight unless you’re kneeling. I have money but I have been saving for a cam/heads job
I have a set of TPS fenders from Corvette Creations…. I chose those versus the ones with a cutout for the rear markers solely because of pre drilled holes for installation. I didn’t mind the removal of the rear markers.
As far as installation, it seems really easy to removal basically all panels for this car.
I have a set of TPS fenders from Corvette Creations…. I chose those versus the ones with a cutout for the rear markers solely because of pre drilled holes for installation. I didn’t mind the removal of the rear markers.
As far as installation, it seems really easy to removal basically all panels for this car.
You've got the "TPE style" rear fenders. Definitely not to be confused with TPS, the vendor that was selling L5 fenders again haha. Installing rears is definitely easier than the fronts. I swapped my older CC rears out for the same TPE style and the fitment of the TPE set was actually worse than the old style I already had on. I'm officially done with these CC fenders lol
Originally Posted by Tfasa73
I have heard that, what harm do think will be done if I just leave the hole for now? It’s pretty out of sight unless you’re kneeling. I have money but I have been saving for a cam/heads job
As long as it's on the driver's side, which looks like it is, there's nothing in that cavity. Won't cause any issues to leave it as is. If for some reason you have the picture flipped and it's on the passenger side, that's where your PCM, so I'd at least plug the hole temporarily.
You've got the "TPE style" rear fenders. Definitely not to be confused with TPS, the vendor that was selling L5 fenders again haha. Installing rears is definitely easier than the fronts. I swapped my older CC rears out for the same TPE style and the fitment of the TPE set was actually worse than the old style I already had on. I'm officially done with these CC fenders lol
As long as it's on the driver's side, which looks like it is, there's nothing in that cavity. Won't cause any issues to leave it as is. If for some reason you have the picture flipped and it's on the passenger side, that's where your PCM, so I'd at least plug the hole temporarily.
nope it’s the driver side thank goodness, so I guess I’ll hold out till I figure out what to do
My poor fender
