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SS Vettes has a very good reputation on this forum for their widebody conversion kit. RPI's reputation has gone downhill lately with some waiting months for orders that may or may not be quality work. Someone might have to correct me, but I believe you can't use the base bumper on the widebody kit unless you're referring to an OEM bumper from a ZO6 or GS.
SS Vettes has a very good reputation on this forum for their widebody conversion kit. RPI's reputation has gone downhill lately with some waiting months for orders that may or may not be quality work. Someone might have to correct me, but I believe you can't use the base bumper on the widebody kit unless you're referring to an OEM bumper from a ZO6 or GS.
That is correct I was planning to go to a GS/Z06 front bumper.
That is correct I was planning to go to a GS/Z06 front bumper.
Great!. Then you're good with SS Vettes, and now that I think back Super Vettes is also a vendor that I can't recall any bad mentions about, but I'd stay away from RPI and their current rep for poor paint quality and extremely slow delivery of parts. Have you sourced the other parts yet? You'll still need the wheel well inserts and other assorted parts to complete the conversion.
Great!. Then you're good with SS Vettes, and now that I think back Super Vettes is also a vendor that I can't recall any bad mentions about, but I'd stay away from RPI and their current rep for poor paint quality and extremely slow delivery of parts. Have you sourced the other parts yet? You'll still need the wheel well inserts and other assorted parts to complete the conversion.
Yep I’ve priced out new wheels and tires. I believe the SS Vettes come with the option of an installation kit. I’m not 100% sure what all that includes but I imagine it’s just for the quarters and fenders. I may try to find OEM quarters since RPI has issues.
I have OEM Front bumber, SS-Vette ZR1 front fenders, OEM rear quarter panels. I got all the install hardware, vents etc from Gene Culley. He has a whole kit already spec'd out with screws bolts etc.
Fitment on the SS-Vette was OEM.
ps, I also got the SS-Vette front inner fender well that glues to the body, some guys just glue an extension on as you aren't going to see it anyway, but I went the extra step and removed the OEM and installed theirs so the liner is flush with the front fenders.
Last edited by mcandrew67; Aug 21, 2020 at 06:07 AM.
You have a beautiful car the way it is... are you sure you want to spend all that time and money for the end result and resale value... just a alternative thought... good luck
You have a beautiful car the way it is... are you sure you want to spend all that time and money for the end result and resale value... just a alternative thought... good luck
You have a beautiful car the way it is... are you sure you want to spend all that time and money for the end result and resale value... just a alternative thought... good luck
Not everyone is concerned about resale value. I'll probably go the widebody conversion route eventually myself, but then I have no plans on ever selling my car so I don't care what it does to the value. If I did I wouldn't have already dropped $15+k in mods into it.
I have rear quarters i purchased from Super Vettes. I thought the fit was impressive for a non oem piece, but ive attached a couple pics for you too see for yourself.
Im not overly concerned on resale since it’s heavily modified anyway. If I sold it I would lose a ton of money lol. Is it worth that kind of money just for the look? I’m not so sure. I bought it bone stock 3 years ago and did the following:-Kenwood DMX-7706S headunit
Yeah I wasn't talking about the resale aspect of it. I was seconding the motion that your car looks great as it sits. You did an excellent job on the styling.
It never ceases to amaze me when some people think a Corvette will lose its value or “you’ll over invest” like that means something to some of us. Turn your cash loose and make it what you want.
I have OEM Front bumber, SS-Vette ZR1 front fenders, OEM rear quarter panels. I got all the install hardware, vents etc from Gene Culley. He has a whole kit already spec'd out with screws bolts etc.
Fitment on the SS-Vette was OEM.
ps, I also got the SS-Vette front inner fender well that glues to the body, some guys just glue an extension on as you aren't going to see it anyway, but I went the extra step and removed the OEM and installed theirs so the liner is flush with the front fenders.
This is almost exactly the same approach I took. I actually bought my SS-Vette ZR1 front fenders based on David's recommendation.
These made the most sense over OEM because GM charges a fortune for the stock CF fenders. The highly regarded Corvette specialty shop that did the work said they were the best fitting aftermarket panels they had ever seen, and they had no cosmetic issues.
The prices from Gene Culley for the rest of the OEM 'widebody' kit were very reasonable.
And customer service with both of these vendors was excellent.
SS-Vette sells front fender liner extensions for about $100/pair and I took the easy way out on this.
Last edited by Knob Jockey; Aug 22, 2020 at 11:50 PM.
Here is my before and after pic. To me it was completely worth all the money. Since I had/have no intention of selling it valuation is a moot point. The value is in the eye of the beholder. Not to mention the pleasure of making your car yours.
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
Wide body Conversion
