Adding Side Skirts/Splitter, new Spoiler Needed?
#1
Corvette Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Troy & Dearborn, Michigan
Posts: 5,343
Received 922 Likes
on
614 Posts
Adding Side Skirts/Splitter, new Spoiler Needed?
I'm looking to add the carbon flash splitter and side skirts (PN 84139797), but I'm wondering if I should upgrade my spoiler?
I have a Z51, and a red stripe on white, so I don't know if I should get the "Z06 Stage 1" spoiler in white, or carbon flash. Then I don't know if I should add the red stripe, and finally I don't know if I should add the "Stage 2" winglets.
The PN's are (and many GM dealer sites have errors on which years and trims these work on, because according to the GM accessory guide it's ALL 2014-2018 Stingray, Z51, Grand Sport and Z06 models):
Carbon Flash "Z06 Stage 1" - 23303055
Arctic White "Z06 Stage 1" - 23301862
Red Stripe Kit (have to order a whole new strip kit even if I ONLY need the spoiler piece, ANNOYING) - 23172538
"Stage 2" winglets - 23256573
Thoughts?
I have a Z51, and a red stripe on white, so I don't know if I should get the "Z06 Stage 1" spoiler in white, or carbon flash. Then I don't know if I should add the red stripe, and finally I don't know if I should add the "Stage 2" winglets.
The PN's are (and many GM dealer sites have errors on which years and trims these work on, because according to the GM accessory guide it's ALL 2014-2018 Stingray, Z51, Grand Sport and Z06 models):
Carbon Flash "Z06 Stage 1" - 23303055
Arctic White "Z06 Stage 1" - 23301862
Red Stripe Kit (have to order a whole new strip kit even if I ONLY need the spoiler piece, ANNOYING) - 23172538
"Stage 2" winglets - 23256573
Thoughts?
#2
Corvette Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Troy & Dearborn, Michigan
Posts: 5,343
Received 922 Likes
on
614 Posts
Nothing from the internet? I asked a few guys at work, people are split on the decision to get a new spoiler, and further split on which color to get.
Winglets generally are frowned upon it seems.
Winglets generally are frowned upon it seems.
#3
Race Director
I saw a couple stingrays at Carlisle that had full ground effect kit from GM for a minute they actually fooled me into believing they were grind Sports they looked really good.
if you have a stingray and want to go for that look you can spend all that money and do that. Or you can save your money and eventually move up to a Grand Sport if that's the look really going for is all the money you're dumping into your stingray in the end will only be a stingray.
Not that it's a bad thing just that if the look you're going for emulates the Grand Sport I would personally look into moving into one. I was faced with a similar dilemma when I went C7 shopping and a good friend very experienced in the car World talked me out of buying a C7 Base and steered me towards the ZO6 because not only did I want the wide body look but I would have added power to it later on.
very glad I listened couldn't be happy with decision.
if you have a stingray and want to go for that look you can spend all that money and do that. Or you can save your money and eventually move up to a Grand Sport if that's the look really going for is all the money you're dumping into your stingray in the end will only be a stingray.
Not that it's a bad thing just that if the look you're going for emulates the Grand Sport I would personally look into moving into one. I was faced with a similar dilemma when I went C7 shopping and a good friend very experienced in the car World talked me out of buying a C7 Base and steered me towards the ZO6 because not only did I want the wide body look but I would have added power to it later on.
very glad I listened couldn't be happy with decision.
#4
Corvette Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Troy & Dearborn, Michigan
Posts: 5,343
Received 922 Likes
on
614 Posts
I'm not at all interested in a wide-body, don't like the look. Do like the spoilers though. It's just tough as the parts are expensive. But I don't know if I can get away with adding the skirts and splitter, will the current Z51 spoiler just look "dinky." I'm thinking body color because I have body color everything (vents) but on the 2018's when you get the side skirt and splitter they give you a carbon flash spoiler (even if you order body color vents), and I dunno which I like better.
I think I'm partial to getting the "Z06 Stage 1" in arctic white, adding the stripes to it, then getting the winglets (which will be in carbon flash). As I like that aggressive look, but my concern then is usability of the hatch. Since you have to lift everything over the spoiler.
It's all very tough I guess. I'm only sure of what I don't want which is a wide-body, so the Grand Sport is out.
I think I'm partial to getting the "Z06 Stage 1" in arctic white, adding the stripes to it, then getting the winglets (which will be in carbon flash). As I like that aggressive look, but my concern then is usability of the hatch. Since you have to lift everything over the spoiler.
It's all very tough I guess. I'm only sure of what I don't want which is a wide-body, so the Grand Sport is out.
#5
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: NE South Carolina
Posts: 29,496
Received 9,624 Likes
on
6,628 Posts
I added Stage 3 winglets to the splitter since they help integrate the spats. Make them look less add-on, IMO. Thought they were fine on my '74 Jeep Renegade!
Spats looked fine on my CJ5 but a Vette? Tadge's comments in a post stating they tried wider front fenders etc but that shape was needed for best aero. Believing in "Form Follows Function" IMO, they now look fine!
Last edited by JerryU; 08-29-2017 at 08:17 AM.
#6
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jul 2015
Location: Northern California
Posts: 6,223
Received 1,694 Likes
on
1,240 Posts
St. Jude Donor '15
Why don't you add the splitter & skirts, drive it for a few weeks then decide? I'm not a fan of the z06 spoiler, but it would probably look good with the other additions.
#7
Corvette Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Troy & Dearborn, Michigan
Posts: 5,343
Received 922 Likes
on
614 Posts
Actually that's a good point. I'll get the splitter and side skirts, install them and see if I like them. I'll revisit this rear spoiler question in the spring.
#10
Corvette Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Troy & Dearborn, Michigan
Posts: 5,343
Received 922 Likes
on
614 Posts
The aftermarket side skirts just don't look as nice in person. They always seem bulkier.
I also prefer the little winglets and contoured look of the GM "Stage 2" splitter versus the poverty "Stage 1" splitter.
After seeing a few cars in person I decided I'm willing to pay the premium for the carbon flash GM "Stage 2" parts.
Yetman, I like that look!!! How's the gap on the front wheel to side-skirt look? I know the GS and Z06 have the more flared fenders which the side skirt blends into, but on yours I can't tell how good the blend is. Seems fine from that picture though!
I also prefer the little winglets and contoured look of the GM "Stage 2" splitter versus the poverty "Stage 1" splitter.
After seeing a few cars in person I decided I'm willing to pay the premium for the carbon flash GM "Stage 2" parts.
Yetman, I like that look!!! How's the gap on the front wheel to side-skirt look? I know the GS and Z06 have the more flared fenders which the side skirt blends into, but on yours I can't tell how good the blend is. Seems fine from that picture though!
#11
Corvette Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Troy & Dearborn, Michigan
Posts: 5,343
Received 922 Likes
on
614 Posts
So I ordered the side skirts and splitter. Once I get them on the car probably in the spring), I'll get some photos up and then I can decide what spoiler changes I want to make.
I have a feeling I'll stick with what I got, because I sorta now want the "small" ZR1 wing, but I don't want to know what that will cost.
I have a feeling I'll stick with what I got, because I sorta now want the "small" ZR1 wing, but I don't want to know what that will cost.
#14
Corvette Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Troy & Dearborn, Michigan
Posts: 5,343
Received 922 Likes
on
614 Posts
Found a set! They arrive Tuesday. Unfortunately it cost me more money than I would have gotten had they been in stock.
I also talked to my local dealer. They seem to think that these Ground Effect packages are being obsoleted (due to ground effects being a regular option on the 2017 C7). You now need to buy the "Side Skirt" accessories and the a separate "Front Spoiler" part now. Which of course costs more money than the original kit.
I also talked to my local dealer. They seem to think that these Ground Effect packages are being obsoleted (due to ground effects being a regular option on the 2017 C7). You now need to buy the "Side Skirt" accessories and the a separate "Front Spoiler" part now. Which of course costs more money than the original kit.
#15
Melting Slicks
Side skirt Install
I'm in the middle of installing the ACS skirts. I'm going the double back tape method. In addition, there are 5 screws that are OEM and there are 4 rivets on the bottom.
It takes Herculean strength to pop this things, which luckily, I have. The problem is that there isn't much meat to attach to. If you don't hold the rivet gun firm against the bottom of the car, it pulls through. Then, you need a backer washer which is difficult to place. The backer washers are not included in the kit so you better buy some. They are for 3/16" rivets.
I use a 2x4 to and fulcrum to wedge the rivet gun tight to the car. I push down on the 2x4 with my head. It ain't no fun.
I raised the car up 3" with 2x10's. Not as simple as I thought.
On second thought, I should have had them installed by somebody with a lift.
It takes Herculean strength to pop this things, which luckily, I have. The problem is that there isn't much meat to attach to. If you don't hold the rivet gun firm against the bottom of the car, it pulls through. Then, you need a backer washer which is difficult to place. The backer washers are not included in the kit so you better buy some. They are for 3/16" rivets.
I use a 2x4 to and fulcrum to wedge the rivet gun tight to the car. I push down on the 2x4 with my head. It ain't no fun.
I raised the car up 3" with 2x10's. Not as simple as I thought.
On second thought, I should have had them installed by somebody with a lift.
#16
Melting Slicks
On the skirt install, I had to bite the bullet and drill in all locations that ACS instructs. This means through body color paint on the rockers. There will be noticeable holes if I ever remove them. Otherwise, they really aren't attached as well as they need to be.
The short rivets on the bottom side are a bastard and don't hold the skirt well enough, even with the double back tape. The upper long rivets hold it very well. Drilling painted body on new car is unnerving but I think you have to do it.
The short rivets on the bottom side are a bastard and don't hold the skirt well enough, even with the double back tape. The upper long rivets hold it very well. Drilling painted body on new car is unnerving but I think you have to do it.
#17
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: NE South Carolina
Posts: 29,496
Received 9,624 Likes
on
6,628 Posts
^^^
When I installed the side skirts on my 2014 it was held with two factory bolts ae the ends so never saw the holes, they were below the LG Motorsports side skirts. I used small stainless fender washers to give a larger area for the rivet to hold.
On my Grand Sport with Stage 2 aero full length side skirts, watched as the C7 Tech, on Delivery drilled 13 holes per side after attaching to the factory bolt in front. He used the supplied GM rivets that have a built in fixed type washer.
Frankly, one problem with two sided tape is it leaves a gap because of its Thickness. Just use more rivets, if needed.
There is a small gap between the rocker panel and the aluminum frame. I inserted a scrape piece of metal in the gap when I drilled so I didn't hit the frame. Although, as recommended, I moved the rivet to the outside to have a tight fit (which I do) it is still at the bottom of the rocker panel.
When I installed the side skirts on my 2014 it was held with two factory bolts ae the ends so never saw the holes, they were below the LG Motorsports side skirts. I used small stainless fender washers to give a larger area for the rivet to hold.
On my Grand Sport with Stage 2 aero full length side skirts, watched as the C7 Tech, on Delivery drilled 13 holes per side after attaching to the factory bolt in front. He used the supplied GM rivets that have a built in fixed type washer.
Frankly, one problem with two sided tape is it leaves a gap because of its Thickness. Just use more rivets, if needed.
There is a small gap between the rocker panel and the aluminum frame. I inserted a scrape piece of metal in the gap when I drilled so I didn't hit the frame. Although, as recommended, I moved the rivet to the outside to have a tight fit (which I do) it is still at the bottom of the rocker panel.
Last edited by JerryU; 12-03-2017 at 11:00 AM.
#18
Le Mans Master
Plenty of Threads on this subject.I even made a very popular thread.
A ton of discussion here:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...t-upgrade.html
Last edited by DALE#3; 12-03-2017 at 11:52 AM.
The following users liked this post:
JerryU (12-03-2017)
#19
Burning Brakes
The problem is that there isn't much meat to attach to. If you don't hold the rivet gun firm against the bottom of the car, it pulls through. Then, you need a backer washer which is difficult to place. The backer washers are not included in the kit so you better buy some.
#20
Le Mans Master
If you have the stage 1 splitter, I would just stay with the Z51 spoiler...(and make it the body color)
(actually, I would also skip the side skirts completely since I don't really like the way they look) I might install them if I really needed them for function, but not just for cosmetics or to prevent a few rock chips.
(actually, I would also skip the side skirts completely since I don't really like the way they look) I might install them if I really needed them for function, but not just for cosmetics or to prevent a few rock chips.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; 12-03-2017 at 05:14 PM.