Side skirts - style or function?
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 412
From: Lewisville TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Using F1 explanations on a GT car may not always work.
Most of our race cars are more than 2 cm (7/8" approx) at the rockers from the ground and yes it can make a difference on the car but for a full bodied car not so much in a straight line as it helps downforce while the car is in yaw, or turning. For a very simple answer a side mounted splitter.
I have no test results as to the effectiveness at a 2cm ride height so take that for what it's worth. I do know Katech to have posted results on the ZR1 body panels and yes it does increase downforce, primarily rear down force on the car.
Most of our race cars are more than 2 cm (7/8" approx) at the rockers from the ground and yes it can make a difference on the car but for a full bodied car not so much in a straight line as it helps downforce while the car is in yaw, or turning. For a very simple answer a side mounted splitter.
I have no test results as to the effectiveness at a 2cm ride height so take that for what it's worth. I do know Katech to have posted results on the ZR1 body panels and yes it does increase downforce, primarily rear down force on the car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Bergen County NJ
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Morrill Nebraska
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,146
Likes: 1,940
From: Hagerstown MD
St. Jude Donor '15-'16,'18
IMHO it's 90% looks and 10% function. That said, I'm putting on a set of stainless steel and carbon fiber side skirts.
http://www.chevymall.com/C7-Stingray...uctinfo/AN667/
http://www.chevymall.com/C7-Stingray...uctinfo/AN667/
Last edited by rmorin1249; Dec 9, 2016 at 05:27 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,007
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From: Sullivan Illinois
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Both, I think they definitely help with rock chips and I think they completed the car. Here are before and after shots.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,007
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From: Sullivan Illinois
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C5 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,943
Likes: 12,358
From: NE South Carolina
I bought high quality, strong carbon fiber skirts from LG Motorsports. I attached them with rivets and if I brush against them by mistake no problem! However you can't step on them!
I tell every passenger who is leaving to watch for the side skirts! I know it is an irritant to those who have been in the car multiple times but so be it! I repeat the message. I know my friends would offer to pay if they broke one, but when they found out the price don't think they would be too happy! Frankly would not ask anyone to pay for a broken side skirt - I'd just eat the cost! Kids would be worse so defiantly repeat the warning every time!
I'm fortune that the wife is seldom in the Vette! She would not tolerate hearing my speech many times!
There Function: They are a must have for a C7, IMO to protect the rocker panels. They have accomplished what I bought them for. The first month I had my C7 (October 2013) realized the GM splash guards I bought were doing little to stop marking the heavy GM plastic! If you look where GM put it, from the center of the door all the way to the rear wheel well you realize those small front splash guards did little. Once I put the CF side skirts on saw they were fully protecting the plastic. After about 4 months to be sure, I removed the GM marked up and already discollered plastic. Car is 38 months old and the rocker panels look new!
I tell every passenger who is leaving to watch for the side skirts! I know it is an irritant to those who have been in the car multiple times but so be it! I repeat the message. I know my friends would offer to pay if they broke one, but when they found out the price don't think they would be too happy! Frankly would not ask anyone to pay for a broken side skirt - I'd just eat the cost! Kids would be worse so defiantly repeat the warning every time!
I'm fortune that the wife is seldom in the Vette! She would not tolerate hearing my speech many times!
There Function: They are a must have for a C7, IMO to protect the rocker panels. They have accomplished what I bought them for. The first month I had my C7 (October 2013) realized the GM splash guards I bought were doing little to stop marking the heavy GM plastic! If you look where GM put it, from the center of the door all the way to the rear wheel well you realize those small front splash guards did little. Once I put the CF side skirts on saw they were fully protecting the plastic. After about 4 months to be sure, I removed the GM marked up and already discollered plastic. Car is 38 months old and the rocker panels look new!
Last edited by JerryU; Dec 9, 2016 at 07:00 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 200
Likes: 97
From: San Jose CA
I bought high quality, strong carbon fiber skirts from LG Motorsports. I attached them with rivets and if I brush against them by mistake no problem! However you can't step on them!
I tell every passenger who is leaving to watch for the side skirts! I know it is an irritant to those who have been in the car multiple times but so be it! I repeat the message. I know my friends would offer to pay if they broke one, but when they found out the price don't think they would be too happy! Frankly would not ask anyone to pay for a broken side skirt - I'd just eat the cost! Kids would be worse so defiantly repeat the warning every time!
I'm fortune that the wife is seldom in the Vette! She would not tolerate hearing my speech many times!
There Function: They are a must have for a C7, IMO to protect the rocker panels. They have accomplished what I bought them for. The first month I had my C7 (October 2013) realized the GM splash guards I bought were doing little to stop marking the heavy GM plastic! If you look where GM put it, from the center of the door all the way to the rear wheel well you realize those small front splash guards did little. Once I put the CF side skirts on saw they were fully protecting the plastic. After about 4 months to be sure, I removed the GM marked up and already discollered plastic. Car is 38 months old and the rocker panels look new!
I tell every passenger who is leaving to watch for the side skirts! I know it is an irritant to those who have been in the car multiple times but so be it! I repeat the message. I know my friends would offer to pay if they broke one, but when they found out the price don't think they would be too happy! Frankly would not ask anyone to pay for a broken side skirt - I'd just eat the cost! Kids would be worse so defiantly repeat the warning every time!
I'm fortune that the wife is seldom in the Vette! She would not tolerate hearing my speech many times!
There Function: They are a must have for a C7, IMO to protect the rocker panels. They have accomplished what I bought them for. The first month I had my C7 (October 2013) realized the GM splash guards I bought were doing little to stop marking the heavy GM plastic! If you look where GM put it, from the center of the door all the way to the rear wheel well you realize those small front splash guards did little. Once I put the CF side skirts on saw they were fully protecting the plastic. After about 4 months to be sure, I removed the GM marked up and already discollered plastic. Car is 38 months old and the rocker panels look new!
It takes some taking used to them, as even when getting in the car you sometimes clip them. But I certainly noticed the occasional sound of a rock hitting their underside, which means one more rock not hitting your rocker panels or rear fender.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,079
Likes: 1,922
From: DFW, Tejas!
Using F1 explanations on a GT car may not always work.
Most of our race cars are more than 2 cm (7/8" approx) at the rockers from the ground and yes it can make a difference on the car but for a full bodied car not so much in a straight line as it helps downforce while the car is in yaw, or turning. For a very simple answer a side mounted splitter.
I have no test results as to the effectiveness at a 2cm ride height so take that for what it's worth. I do know Katech to have posted results on the ZR1 body panels and yes it does increase downforce, primarily rear down force on the car.
Most of our race cars are more than 2 cm (7/8" approx) at the rockers from the ground and yes it can make a difference on the car but for a full bodied car not so much in a straight line as it helps downforce while the car is in yaw, or turning. For a very simple answer a side mounted splitter.
I have no test results as to the effectiveness at a 2cm ride height so take that for what it's worth. I do know Katech to have posted results on the ZR1 body panels and yes it does increase downforce, primarily rear down force on the car.
Yeah I don't know how much they do, but my Z51 C7 with splitter and side skirts definitely has more downforce (or at least less lift) than my Z51 C6. At high speeds going over hills there isn't that "oh crap, are we going to to get air?" feeling in the C7.
I'm also guessing that since I get (slightly) worse mpg with a 7th gear, dod, direct injection and VVT at 80mph, there is more drag (which I assume is attributed to drag). The Z51 spoiler, for being an OEM spoiler is pretty aggressive. It's no track car spoiler or Z07 spoiler, but for what it is, I bet it gets moves some air.
Last edited by village idiot; Dec 11, 2016 at 01:54 AM.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 82,070
Likes: 717
From: Orange County, CA
All I know is I bought a Z51, and just bought some C7 Carbon parts. Front lip and side skirts.. Beautiful pieces, totally change the look.. I guess it'll prevent any scratches to the paint now! 
Contact us for some info on the C7 carbon parts and pricing.
-Josh
Contact us for some info on the C7 carbon parts and pricing.
-Josh
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,943
Likes: 12,358
From: NE South Carolina
I pass an area with pebbles that are on our paved road that come in from a gravel road. Hear them hitting the underside of my Side Skirts all the time, have been for 3 years. Removed my GM plastic 2 1/2 years ago and not one mark on my rocker panels!