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I just purchased a 2008 base model and want to do a rear wide body conversion. I have read every thread here concerning the conversions.
I like the Caravaggio rear quarters but haven't been able to get a reply to my calls or emails. I have looked at the following conversions:
CULTRAG Performance
California Super Coupes
Corvette Mods
TKO Performance
Carvaggio Corvettes
TPS Motorsports
I'd like to hear suggestions from forum members as which kit I should purchase.
Everyone has their own opinions on what to buy but I went with the pre-painted RPI kit 4 years ago and haven't had not one problem with the fenders being fiberglass. The car gets beat on regularly at the drag strip and over the 4 years the fenders still look new and crack free.
I agree on the OEM parts, just shop around as prices on OEM parts from these dealers vary a lot. Shop both the price and ship costs to compare, NOT just the part price as some of them look good on pricing until you add the ship where they make up their part discount. I do not recommend a single GM parts supplier as I've purchased from a number of them based on the best combination price/ship with the same GM PN.
Like soslow, I also went with the pre painted kit from rpi. Paint match was very good along with fit. They also include oem accompanying parts. Mine was 8 weeks and $2050 out the door.
I'm in Ohio and have a gm parts dealer locally, but being in California your best bet is Cultrag, as they have a flat 48 state shipping fee on their wide body kit. I would wait a couple of days as they usually have discounts around holidays.
There are some excellent aftermarket body parts available (SS-Vette for example) but the minor cost savings for rear quarter panels may get eaten up in getting them to fit as well as OEM. Front fenders are a different story with the OEM CF parts being quite a bit more expensive than the aftermarket versions.
You should also budget for blending the paint into the adjacent panels. I would let your shop paint the new parts first and then decide if blending is necessary. I've purchased several pre-painted parts from RPI and the color match was near perfect, but Victory Red is probably the easiest color to match. YMMV.
I used Gene Culley/Cultrag for my wide-body upgrade (and all my 'Dealer' parts for that matter) and the 'kits' he sells are complete down to the last detail. He also has excellent customer service and great prices. Highly recommended.
I ordered the kit from RPI. installed them yesterday. fitment is good. had to redrill the holes and file down sidemarker holes.brakeduct right side was the hardest part to install the little plastic in it. Once on the car it is good. They use panels from ACI. oem would be easier to install without any drilling or filing i suppose. all and all i am very happy for $2k shipped. Paint match is also good. here are some pics.
I ordered the kit from RPI. installed them yesterday. fitment is good. had to redrill the holes and file down sidemarker holes.brakeduct right side was the hardest part to install the little plastic in it. Once on the car it is good. They use panels from ACI. oem would be easier to install without any drilling or filing i suppose. all and all i am very happy for $2k shipped. Paint match is also good. here are some pics.
I've decided to purchase all of the necessary parts locally from a GM dealer.
Thanks again for all of the responses helping me go with genuine GM parts.
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Wide Body conversion
