When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
As I'm looking to buy my 1st Vette, I'd love to be
able to get a Grand Sport, but I don't really see
that happening for me in the mid lower $20s.
I'm a performance guy, so that is 1st on my list.
1. Are the suspension components all the same?
(Stock C6 Z06s rims tuck under WB Swap C6)
2. I'd prefer GM Parts, are there any Good Aftermarket
WideBody Kits? I want Factory GS/Z06/ZR1 look/width.
Not ugly SuperVettes 9' Wide looking kit I've seen before.
This kit any good? http://www.ebay.com/itm/05-13-Chevro...torefresh=true
That's too bad and I am sympathetic to your situation. It would be so much better if you could hang on until you can afford an authentic model of your desires.
Every time I see one of these topics, it reminds me of the Johnny Cash song - One piece at a time. Not quite the same but along those same lines. You will end up with a car that doesn't fit anywhere. All that said, best of luck to you, I would actually enjoy the technical project of the conversion, but wouldn't prefer my name on the title.
The suspension components are different from a regular C6 to a GS/Z06 widebody. Both springs and sway bars would need to be upgraded if you do a widebody conversion.
Brakes and wheel sizes are different as well.
I would agree that if you are set on a widebody you will be better served to save your money until you can afford what you want. I know it sucks but you'll end up spending as much on the conversion as you would have just by saving for the real thing.
Having said that. if you are going to do it either go with all OEM parts or use SS Vettes body panels. Those are the only options that I would consider because of the quality fit and finish.
And this is coming from someone who did just what you are thinking of doing, although for different reasons. I LOVE what I ended up with but I spent way more $$$$$ than if I had just bought a GS, and if I had to do it all over again that is what I would do.
Last edited by ncvette_1FUNRIDE; Sep 7, 2017 at 10:14 PM.
Its almost always going to be cheaper to get a GS than it is to get a base + wide body kit + paint...
GS's arent that rare, they sold more than the base model cars IIRC. Plus, you get the bigger brakes, bigger rims - if youre a performance guy, you might as well wait til you can get the GS.
On the negative side, the GS tires are pricier, its harder to fit in small stalls...
Heres mine.All done.Been there done that.All upgraded everything plus supercharger and carbon fiber pieces.Ilost count how much Ive spent .15k maybe more.LOL.
I understand your situation wanting a wide body but just out of reach. When I crunched the numbers on doing a full wide body conversion the cost rises quickly. Members who have done the conversion will tell you the cost is between $10K and $20K depending on how much you can do yourself and how many talented friends you have to help. You could start with a "Wide booty" which would keep the cost down.
Save some more dollars and go buy a Z-06, GS or a wide body converted car. You will nickel and dime yourself into poverty if you are not careful when doing a conversion. Check the C-6 Cars for Sale here on the Forum for conversions, and save big dollars.
I was in your position when I bought my vette, widebodys can be expensive as you wanna make it. I only have 1200 in my rear wide body, and about 1400 in my front(not installed yet) I currently have around 24000 in my car now including all the performance mods... Just depends on how hard you want to work or if you want to pay someone to do it!
Last edited by g23crawler; Sep 8, 2017 at 01:38 PM.
The wide body rear quarters from RPI aren't too pricey and are shipped painted. unfortunately they don't sell the front fenders.
When prices for C6's were higher, I think it penciled out to do wide body conversions but with prices where they are today, it can make more sense to just buy the GS or Z06.
There's more to a wide body conversion than just panels if you want any benefit. You need wider wheels and tires to make use of the extra width, springs, shocks, and sway bars if you want the suspension performance, and new brakes if you want the stopping power.
Even if you only spent 1500 on panels, you'd have at least that in brakes, probably double that in wheels and tires, and at least 1000 in in suspension components. Then you STILL wouldn't have the dry sump if the car was a stick. And perhaps you'd have a different rear end as well.
If you actually care about performance vs aesthetics, it makes more sense to buy a GS than imitate one. If you just want the appearance of a wide body, then yeah you can throw some panels on and spacers and fool 98% of the people out there. You also will take a hit when you go to sell, as it will likely be worth less converted than factory as most will believe the car was wrecked, even if the carfax is clean.
There's more to a wide body conversion than just panels if you want any benefit. You need wider wheels and tires to make use of the extra width, springs, shocks, and sway bars if you want the suspension performance, and new brakes if you want the stopping power.
Even if you only spent 1500 on panels, you'd have at least that in brakes, probably double that in wheels and tires, and at least 1000 in in suspension components. Then you STILL wouldn't have the dry sump if the car was a stick. And perhaps you'd have a different rear end as well.
If you actually care about performance vs aesthetics, it makes more sense to buy a GS than imitate one. If you just want the appearance of a wide body, then yeah you can throw some panels on and spacers and fool 98% of the people out there. You also will take a hit when you go to sell, as it will likely be worth less converted than factory as most will believe the car was wrecked, even if the carfax is clean.
all the above is true.... but I have done the wide body, brakes, exhaust, supercharger ect...but it was all spread out. I don't care about resale because I DRIVE my vehicle like I stole it and love the car more than ever. One way or another, the money will be spent. At least I was able to spread it out vs spending it all at once. If you want a Grand Sport...will you leave it stock or will you want more after you get it?
Thank you for all the input on smarter to buy a factory-built
GS, but no one has answered the questions that I asked.
As I mentioned above I am more of a performance guy so built drivetrain would come first, I'm mostly into drag racing a handful of times of year so huge brakes on all four corners would limit me on tire rim package. Especially if I'm possibly going to do LG swap in the rear to run 325 50 15 drag radials.
all the above is true.... but I have done the wide body, brakes, exhaust, supercharger ect...but it was all spread out. I don't care about resale because I DRIVE my vehicle like I stole it and love the car more than ever. One way or another, the money will be spent. At least I was able to spread it out vs spending it all at once. If you want a Grand Sport...will you leave it stock or will you want more after you get it?
you can just change the body kit without changing out the brakes or suspension. You will either need to use spacers on base model size rims or buy wide body size rims. There are several levels of brakes and suspension packages that came on corvettes. they will all will fit any body style, but rim choices will need to match how big or small you want your calipers to be.
I personally used GM parts because I didn't want any issues with fit. Gene Culley is a good source for them.
There are a few companies that supply aftermarket wide body kits that are vendors on the forum. I am sure others will chime in on who has had good luck using them.
I would stay far away from the kit you posted a link from.
If all you're doing is 1/4 mile just buy a base and use the saved money for performance mods. If you're going to be serious about it, most of the stuff on a GS would be replaced with something different anyways.
WideBody (Conversion) Questions
Lots of truth here.
