adamante82

Hey fellas...I went and hit a curb in the parking lot, resulting in some pretty hefty scratches in the passenger side side skirt on my 2008 Black Z06 (yes, not too bright...)

I guess this means it's time to upgrade!??

I've used the good ol' search button and found numerous 'kits' and the like for ground effects/side skirts.

Bottom line of what I'm looking for:

Side skirts alone would be fine but I will consider a kit too (ZR-1 or Z0-6), but they need to be painted to match my Z and bolt on would be nice as well.

Those who have done this already, please relay your experience if you have a moment.

This is what I have in mind right now:

http://rpidesigns.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=1562
How's the quality? The fit? Pictures don't show too much.

http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/sho...06-grand-sport
Very nice! I would like to know if anyone on here has any experience with this kit.

As always, thanks for any input.

Eli

petermj

Only two OEM screws up front but the rest is rivets, last time I checked

slief

I am not aware of rivits being used with any of the kits. I have the Apsis carbon fiber ZR1 side skirts and they use screws. As far as I know the other kits use screws as well. That said, there are holes that need to be drilled to accomodate the screws but the install is very simple and the finished results are worth the effort!

As for which kit to buy, if I were going painted, I would go with Apsis or RPI. I have the RPI painted ZR1 spoiler and the quality was very good. Their service is great as well! Just be patient as they dont normally have the parts pre-painted. They are paint upon orders so it could take a couple weeks but its worth the wait!

fperra

LG side skirts use pop rivets.

petermj

Uhm no, those that I know, including OEM ZR1 use rivets and for a good reason: screwing anything into raw plastic without a metal mounting tab does not work too well, not that much different than screws in MDF) Look under the front of your Z06 and notice how the front lip is mounted, same goes for the rocker panel mounts-they all use metal mounting tabs. Do as you please but if you use factory style skirts, they should be mounted with rivets (not rivits BTW). If Apsis uses screws, they are giving out bad advice.

rovers2000

I have had both the Rpi screw kits for side skirts and the Kaytec carbon fiber pop rivet side skirts. The screws stay if you dont over titen them and strip the holes. The pop rivets work good also. If I had to pick one I like the aluminum rivets better.

petermj

I did a search on Kaytec, who are these guys?

adamante82

haha, love the humor of this forum.

ok, so it sounds like no matter which direction I go, I'm going to have to screw some holes in the car. *deep breath*

Of course that makes me nervous, but like anything I've done if I just read the instructions several times before I begin, I should be ok. I also need to make sure I have the right parts to drill. As of now, I just have the standard "man drill" with about 4 dozen drill bits.

Anyone have a timeframe on installation? Is this a weekend project or a day project, etc?

Keep the comments coming...really appct it.

Additionally, if anyone has any pics feel free to point me to them!

Painrace

Katech's and LG's are easy to install and remove with pop rivits. Katech's splitter, undertray, brake ducts and spolier all bolt on and all are functional as a set.

Jim

adamante82

I've found a thread talking about the LGs...I have PM him to get an idea on cost and such. Didn't even know LG did made these...thanks!

RFZ

my side skirts are screwed on with no problems..

slief

Point taken as I am not familiar with the other side skirt options..

Now please enlighten me.. Where would you be screwing into raw plastic on the side skirts.. Last I checked, the lower sides of the vette (where the skirts mount) are fiber glass. At least that is what I thought I was drilling into! If I am wrong about what they are made of, I will stand to be corrected!

That said, rivets are a no brainer as well. My only concern would be if they pulled through due to hitting something.

petermj

I recommend you DRILL holes in the car and then screw a hole or two after you are done (gender choice is up to you)

Once you attach the skirts by the front screws, the drilling part should be pretty easy to do, especially if someone gives you a hand holding them skirts or you taped them temporarily to the rockers and mark the spots to drill (using some masking tape to mark on and then drill through is recommended). With that said, do not forget about the finishers in the back. IMO, the design is pretty retarded because there is a place for a flange in the back just like in the front so WTF and why make a swiss cheese out of rocker panels, especially where you could actually see the stupid holes should the skirts come off? Nevertheless, carry on

petermj

you is sure about them fiberglass rockers? Last time I checked, vette was build using fiber (well ground up) reinforced polyurethane (frp) with components like bumpers and I think rockers made out of urethane... You may be thinking Viper but even Viper has urethane parts on it as well. Your vette is a plastic car, has been almost 40 years now...

The rivets will not pull through, they can't since you create a flare behind the surface, chances are very good you will break off the skirts themselves... The way they are made, they are a breakaway design for sure

Oh BTW, if you compare vette under artificial light vs. a car truly made of fiberglass (some kind of woven or non woven textile soaked in polyester resin) you will quickly find out how superior finish on vette is.

RFZ

smc is the proper term...sheet molded compound...fiberglass more or less....the rockers are smc....rivets pull out/ get loose just like screws...either fastening method when done properly will work just fine...

gotjuice?

I have used rivets on all the ones that I have installed. They will not loosen over time. If you need to remove, Just drill them out. It's pretty simple.

slief

I'z not sure bout them fiberglass rockers but sinz my memory reckons smellin fiberglass when I be drillen and my arms itched like et, I spozed it waz!

J/K.. It smelled like fiber glass when I drilled the holes for the rockers and the flakes made me itch so I assumed it was. Then again, looking at fiberglass insulation make me itch.

My screws have held up fine none the less so I am fine with screws over rivets even though I wouldnt question the rivets if that was what I was supplied with.

RPI Designs

We offer many options. Our kits are identical to the real thing. We offer them painted in body colors and in real carbon fiber.

Real Carbon Fiber ZR1 Style C6 Z06 Side Skirts: http://rpidesigns.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=1801

Real Carbon Fiber ZR1 Style C6 Z06 Front Splitter: http://rpidesigns.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=1751

Body Color Painted ZR1 Style C6 Z06 Side Skirts: http://rpidesigns.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=1562

Body Color Painted ZR1 Style C6 Z06 Front Splitter: http://rpidesigns.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=1485

Body Color Painted ZR1 Style C6 Z06 Rear Spoiler: http://rpidesigns.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=1406

Let me know if I can help you out at all.
Thanks!!

FastZ06Eh?

I have the RPI skirts in CF, screwed on, no problems. Took this retired office worker a couple of hours to install the skirts. Recommend the products from RPI, I have the ZR1 rear spoiler ( body colored) and CF front splitter, all first rate, although the splitter lost a battle with a raised manhole cover in a construction zone ......

SearayC5

Are the side splitters pre-drilled so we know at what interval to mount the rivets? Or at the very least are there any pre-drilled holes to get the skirts started? Is it obvious how car in/forward/back they mount on the rocker panel?