[Z06] GM BRA Install
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Holliston MA
GM BRA Install
Fit and finish is excellent. Install was easy.
One little tip if you have or are planning to do the GM Bra- when you knock out the existing fender wall metal clips, they fall into the fender cavity which is not really accessible. If you want to get these out raise the lights and get a little stick with tape on it and you can fish them out very easy.
One performance issue, the cutouts for the lower grills (not the air duct for the brakes) are covered in clear plastic and I am concerned as to whether this is OK or not?
The grills are there for a reason and blocking the air from going in can not be good. Has anyone removed the clear plastic?
One little tip if you have or are planning to do the GM Bra- when you knock out the existing fender wall metal clips, they fall into the fender cavity which is not really accessible. If you want to get these out raise the lights and get a little stick with tape on it and you can fish them out very easy.
One performance issue, the cutouts for the lower grills (not the air duct for the brakes) are covered in clear plastic and I am concerned as to whether this is OK or not?
The grills are there for a reason and blocking the air from going in can not be good. Has anyone removed the clear plastic?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 31
From: Waco TX
Originally Posted by Steve Zaino
Fit and finish is excellent. Install was easy.
One little tip if you have or are planning to do the GM Bra- when you knock out the existing fender wall metal clips, they fall into the fender cavity which is not really accessible. If you want to get these out raise the lights and get a little stick with tape on it and you can fish them out very easy.
One performance issue, the cutouts for the lower grills (not the air duct for the brakes) are covered in clear plastic and I am concerned as to whether this is OK or not?
The grills are there for a reason and blocking the air from going in can not be good. Has anyone removed the clear plastic?
One little tip if you have or are planning to do the GM Bra- when you knock out the existing fender wall metal clips, they fall into the fender cavity which is not really accessible. If you want to get these out raise the lights and get a little stick with tape on it and you can fish them out very easy.
One performance issue, the cutouts for the lower grills (not the air duct for the brakes) are covered in clear plastic and I am concerned as to whether this is OK or not?
The grills are there for a reason and blocking the air from going in can not be good. Has anyone removed the clear plastic?
Michael
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 0
A lot of Z owners use the standard mask because it protects the front end better and because the sealed area does not allow air and dirt under the mask or vibration/rubbing.
I haven't seen (or experienced) any cooling problems or discernible power loss with it. The screen intakes are supposed to simply streamline/smooth underhood airflow according to GM, but I'm not sure how functional they are. After all, the car is a bottom breather.
Cutting the standard mask can cause problems, and some people who have done so have had to reverse the process and reinstall something for support/reinforcement. Others have punched holes in the plastic instead.
FWIW.
I haven't seen (or experienced) any cooling problems or discernible power loss with it. The screen intakes are supposed to simply streamline/smooth underhood airflow according to GM, but I'm not sure how functional they are. After all, the car is a bottom breather.
Cutting the standard mask can cause problems, and some people who have done so have had to reverse the process and reinstall something for support/reinforcement. Others have punched holes in the plastic instead.
FWIW.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,707
Likes: 285
Steve:
I have the Z06 GM bra for my 2002 and like the fit and trim as well (even though I have to place my license plate on the outside because I run two plates here in Massachusetts) . I did not see instructions telling me to remove the metal clips. I simply removed the two screws on each side of the fender well , and screwed in the new screw snaps. They screwed right into the existing metal clips. I didn't have to force them. What is the purpose of removing the metal clips? If you remove them, don't you end up with just a hole in the fender well and nothing for the screw snaps to grab on to?
thanks,
trebor
I have the Z06 GM bra for my 2002 and like the fit and trim as well (even though I have to place my license plate on the outside because I run two plates here in Massachusetts) . I did not see instructions telling me to remove the metal clips. I simply removed the two screws on each side of the fender well , and screwed in the new screw snaps. They screwed right into the existing metal clips. I didn't have to force them. What is the purpose of removing the metal clips? If you remove them, don't you end up with just a hole in the fender well and nothing for the screw snaps to grab on to?
thanks,
trebor
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Holliston MA
The instructions said to remove the existing metal clips and replace them.
The GM Bra kit supplied screws are a machine thread which came with new rubber threaded inserts to match them. You should have gotten 4 of these in your package. The original screws and matching metal clips are a coarser sheetmetal type thread.
It's possible that the new screws would go into the old metal clips and even hold, but I am sure that the threads are all screwed up.
PS: I am in Massachusetts and have always had my front license plate on but underneath the cover. No one even, when I have been stopped by the police have said anything about it. The only time that I have been asked to take the cover off (temporarily) was when I recenlty got my inspection sticker.
The GM Bra kit supplied screws are a machine thread which came with new rubber threaded inserts to match them. You should have gotten 4 of these in your package. The original screws and matching metal clips are a coarser sheetmetal type thread.
It's possible that the new screws would go into the old metal clips and even hold, but I am sure that the threads are all screwed up.
PS: I am in Massachusetts and have always had my front license plate on but underneath the cover. No one even, when I have been stopped by the police have said anything about it. The only time that I have been asked to take the cover off (temporarily) was when I recenlty got my inspection sticker.
Last edited by Steve Zaino; Oct 9, 2004 at 11:47 AM. Reason: add something
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,707
Likes: 285
Steve:
Thanks for the reply. I double checked the instructions and it simply says to remove the existing wheel well screws and then insert and screw in the screw snaps in their place. No mention about removing the metal clips. But if the threads are messed up and I want to go back to stock, it's easy enough to replace them. I have the Z06 GM bra. The Z06 GM bra has the cut outs for the air ducts and they are not covered with plastic. Maybe there is an install difference too between the basic GM bra and the Z06 GM bra l- dunno. It looks good and fits tight. I guess I'm too chicken to run it with the plate hidden. I don't want to give them another reason to stop me :o
trebor
Thanks for the reply. I double checked the instructions and it simply says to remove the existing wheel well screws and then insert and screw in the screw snaps in their place. No mention about removing the metal clips. But if the threads are messed up and I want to go back to stock, it's easy enough to replace them. I have the Z06 GM bra. The Z06 GM bra has the cut outs for the air ducts and they are not covered with plastic. Maybe there is an install difference too between the basic GM bra and the Z06 GM bra l- dunno. It looks good and fits tight. I guess I'm too chicken to run it with the plate hidden. I don't want to give them another reason to stop me :o
trebor
Last edited by Trebor; Oct 11, 2004 at 10:23 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 16,106
Likes: 473
the gm z06 bra and regular gm bra have same fastening items (i've had both). yes, unfortunately you're supposed to take out the clips. major pain in the rear--use needlenose pliers and push gently, lest you drop 'em inside your fascia (i speak from experience). it's the expanding rubber grommet with the threaded insert that the snap screws are supposed to go into--not the clips that were already there. different threads--it's a wider gap thread, much like a metal screw or a wood screw.
if you're screwing in the machine screws into the metal clips and it holds, great. otherwise, you're biding your time until the tension of the bra snaps 'em right outta the wheel well.
good luck!
if you're screwing in the machine screws into the metal clips and it holds, great. otherwise, you're biding your time until the tension of the bra snaps 'em right outta the wheel well.
good luck!
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 503
Likes: 37
From: Warner Robins Georgia
Here's a pic of my GM Z06 bra. As you can see, it fits very well. I used a seam ripper and removed all of the tabs around the openings. I don't know why the manufactuer put them on in the first place because there is no way you can slide them between the lens and facia.
If you have a Vararam this would be a good choice for the money!
Last edited by GotMoJo; Oct 16, 2004 at 08:41 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,707
Likes: 285
Originally Posted by GotMoJo
Here's a pic of my GM Z06 bra. As you can see, it fits very well. All I did was took a seam ripper and removed all of the tabs around the openings. I don't know why the manufactuer put them on in the first place because there is no way you can slide them between the lens and facia.
If you have a Vararam this would be a good choice for the money!
thanks,
trebor
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,661
Likes: 1
I bought the regular GM C5 bra. Replaced the fender well screws with same snap screws that they supply for the front end. I ended up cutting out the clear plastic around the air intakes because I have a Vararam. I've been in the rain and dirt with it and had the car over 150 mph on the track with it and dirt does not get in around where I cut out the clear plastic. The only slight problem I had with dirt was with the little piece that attaches to the hood.
X
X
Pro
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 503
Likes: 37
From: Warner Robins Georgia
Originally Posted by Trebor
Those tab things around the openings are a PITA. I end up by bending them back underneath the mask. I thought they were some kind of cushion or something. What are they designed to do anyway?
thanks,
trebor
thanks,
trebor
Hey X guess who!
Last edited by GotMoJo; Oct 14, 2004 at 08:57 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 16,106
Likes: 473
i cut off all the tabs as well--it was ridiculous, there was around 10-15 of the damned things! sometimes you gotta wonder just how much crack the designer of the bra was on when he/she came up with that wonderful idea.
p.s. the bra works perfectly fine without 'em.
p.s. the bra works perfectly fine without 'em.
Originally Posted by GotMoJo
The tabs are suppose to slide between the openings in the nose and the lens' and grills and keep the bra from moving around. Unfortunately, they are too fat and they won't fit. I was able to get a couple of them to slide between the corner marker lens and the facia but it was tough. I decided to cut them off and the bra has been just fine and doesn't shift or move while driving...that is acording to some folks in front of me.
Hey X guess who!
Hey X guess who!
