Hydrocarbon GS Badge Install..A Short How-to
05-29-2011, 08:43 PM
#1
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Hydrocarbon GS Badge Install..A Short How-to
So, I bought some Hydrocarbon Grandsport Badges from Pete at Empire Corvettes because I was happy with the carbon halo I purchased from them before. I asked for the 05-07 pattern that matched the halo and requested the 'G' and 'S' be painted in JSB to match my paint. This is what I received after approx. 6 weeks.
As you can see the G and S are painted, but it is way too dark and looks to be LMB instead of JSB. I assumed the other letters would be silver, i guess not. Overall, I wasn't happy with it, but I did not want to wait another 6 weeks for another pair. Soo, I decided to bond with the car and paint them myself. I bought some Scratch-n-fix paint from the local auto store. For the G and S I used Torch red and the other letters I used Artic White, topping it off with three coats of clear. This is how they turned out: Now im happy
The install is much like the previous thread found here
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...corvettes.html
However, I took some pics so that others can see what it looks like in there and what you are getting into (more on that later).
First things first. Remove the front wheels. There are 3 pushpins holding the rear part of the well wheel liner that needs to be removed (they can be reused). There are also 2 screws and one pushpin under the bottom that also needs to be removed.
Once removed, I tied back the liner with string so I could get inside. No need to totally remove it since the top part is glued on with black silicone.
There is a piece of sticky tape like stuff holding the bottom of the inner plastic peice of the gills that needs to be pulled away. It can be stuck back later (it was hot outside so the tar tape was still sticky)
Once pulled apart, you can look up and see the bolts for the fender badge and three 10mm nuts holding it in place. The next two pics oriented with the outer part of the side fender at the bottom of the pics.
Plastic liner in normal position.
Plastic liner held back by hand.
Now, I'm a slim guy, so I was able to get my arm in there with a ratchet and unscrewed all three bolts. I used those bolts to reinstall the carbon badge.
Before
After (not fully tightened yet)
Pretty easy install right? Not really, the drivers side was easy but the passenger side was a horrid nightmare. I dont think its been mentioned before because previous writeups didnt have a dry sump oil system, but mine does. I can say it took me awhile to get the passenger badge in because all the space I showed you above is gone because of the dry sump tank.
Furthermore, the plastic liner is bolted on fender to keep the plastic from melting on the hot oil resevoir. The best (smart) way is to remove the fender and install it. I wasn't about to do that so I literally busted a few knuckles as I contorted my hand and arm in there to get it finished. After two hours and some Autoglym polish and wax here is the final outcome.
As you can see the G and S are painted, but it is way too dark and looks to be LMB instead of JSB. I assumed the other letters would be silver, i guess not. Overall, I wasn't happy with it, but I did not want to wait another 6 weeks for another pair. Soo, I decided to bond with the car and paint them myself. I bought some Scratch-n-fix paint from the local auto store. For the G and S I used Torch red and the other letters I used Artic White, topping it off with three coats of clear. This is how they turned out: Now im happy
The install is much like the previous thread found here
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...corvettes.html
However, I took some pics so that others can see what it looks like in there and what you are getting into (more on that later).
First things first. Remove the front wheels. There are 3 pushpins holding the rear part of the well wheel liner that needs to be removed (they can be reused). There are also 2 screws and one pushpin under the bottom that also needs to be removed.
Once removed, I tied back the liner with string so I could get inside. No need to totally remove it since the top part is glued on with black silicone.
There is a piece of sticky tape like stuff holding the bottom of the inner plastic peice of the gills that needs to be pulled away. It can be stuck back later (it was hot outside so the tar tape was still sticky)
Once pulled apart, you can look up and see the bolts for the fender badge and three 10mm nuts holding it in place. The next two pics oriented with the outer part of the side fender at the bottom of the pics.
Plastic liner in normal position.
Plastic liner held back by hand.
Now, I'm a slim guy, so I was able to get my arm in there with a ratchet and unscrewed all three bolts. I used those bolts to reinstall the carbon badge.
Before
After (not fully tightened yet)
Pretty easy install right? Not really, the drivers side was easy but the passenger side was a horrid nightmare. I dont think its been mentioned before because previous writeups didnt have a dry sump oil system, but mine does. I can say it took me awhile to get the passenger badge in because all the space I showed you above is gone because of the dry sump tank.
Furthermore, the plastic liner is bolted on fender to keep the plastic from melting on the hot oil resevoir. The best (smart) way is to remove the fender and install it. I wasn't about to do that so I literally busted a few knuckles as I contorted my hand and arm in there to get it finished. After two hours and some Autoglym polish and wax here is the final outcome.
05-29-2011, 09:01 PM
#2
Racer
That looks great, but a 6 week wait?? I just screwed up my badges trying to paint them myself(black with red lettering) and now they are beyond repainting, and just ordered a pair form empire corvettes also. I hope they don't take that long to get to me, cause I not going to drive around without the emblems on. Pete said 3 weeks and thats what I'm hoping on.
05-29-2011, 09:06 PM
#3
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 2005
Location: North Western Connecticut
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That looks great, but a 6 week wait?? I just screwed up my badges trying to paint them myself(black with red lettering) and now they are beyond repainting, and just ordered a pair form empire corvettes also. I hope they don't take that long to get to me, cause I not going to drive around without the emblems on. Pete said 3 weeks and thats what I'm hoping on.
Business must be amazily good for some of these guys...
05-29-2011, 10:32 PM
#9
Safety Car
Thread Starter
I've ordered twice from Empire Corvettes and I will say Peter does get the part to you, although it took longer than expected in both cases. Peter is a good guy to work with, but he doesnt make the parts.
05-29-2011, 10:56 PM
#12
Race Director
Member Since: Mar 2011
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 13,256
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2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
From reading other threads on this forum concerning Empire, it looks like they are having some problems with other member's orders too ... I think I will look elsewhere.
05-29-2011, 11:23 PM
#13
NCM Lifetime Member
That looks great, but a 6 week wait?? I just screwed up my badges trying to paint them myself(black with red lettering) and now they are beyond repainting, and just ordered a pair form empire corvettes also. I hope they don't take that long to get to me, cause I not going to drive around without the emblems on. Pete said 3 weeks and thats what I'm hoping on.
05-29-2011, 11:31 PM
#14
The Consigliere
Member Since: May 2006
Location: 2023 Z06 & 2010 ZR1
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OP,
Really like the looks of your vette. Your mods are well done. Looks great.
Really like the looks of your vette. Your mods are well done. Looks great.
05-30-2011, 12:19 AM
#15
Le Mans Master
Nice. The CF badge matches the wheels. Much like the Chrome emblem compliments the Chrome wheels. I always thought the Chrome emblem clashed with the Comp Gray wheels. 
05-30-2011, 01:41 AM
#17
Race Director
Member Since: Mar 2011
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 13,256
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2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Well, these black GS fender badges should be available pretty soon from GM since it will be option code RPO BA5 on the 2012 models.
Of course those CF fender badges sure look good too.
Of course those CF fender badges sure look good too.
