Chris P.

Hi All,
Two weeks ago, I picked up a new to me 2014 Z51 with a seven speed manual. I absolutely love the car!! It's my second Vette and it's light years ahead of the 96 LT4 I had a few years back. I have a question about the front grille. I am thinking of replacing it with the Z06 style black mesh grille. I don't really like the chrome strip down the center and the mesh grille has a much sportier look IMHO. Does anyone know if this is workable or does the whole nose need to be changed? Can it be done without removing the nose piece? The car has some mileage on it and it's not a collectors piece so I'm not really concerned about originality. Any tips or information about doing this would be appreciated. Thanks. Here's a few pics

RicK T

Congrats!

Yes you can swap in the Z06 grille. Here's an early thread with a video and several tips discussed:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-stingray.html

juanvaldez

Common mod, did it to my '16. Grill is available from folks like Cultrag. Front facia has to come off. There are some good videos available to help

Vetteman Jack

From what I understand you just buy the grille itself and replace the original one with the Z06 grille. The fascia itself is kept. You do have to remove the front fascia to install the Z06 one. Do a search - there have been several threads posted on how to do the swap and most likely there is a YouTube video on it.

juanvaldez

Make sure you get the proper year. Some '16 and later have cameras.

wrecker3

You have to remove the bumper cover !!!

iclick

Just paint the chrome strip with flat black Plasti Dip. I did that on my 2015 and it lasted 'til I traded the car two years later. You have the option to peel it off if you change your mind.

buckeye4

Some just put black electrical tape on the strip, it's a perfect fit.

Roastum1

The grille looks alot better with the chrome strip painted same color. I thought about Z06 grille like my stingray grill with grille painted carbon flash.

DrivesWithTwoFeet

I put a Z06 grill on a couple weeks ago. I got it from ExtremeOnlineStore for $100. It fits perfectly and the finish is excellent. Takes about an hour and a half to remove bumper cover, install grill and put cover back on.

shakinrock

I bought carbon fiber look tape on Amazon and taped it. Looks perfect (imo).

fsvoboda

This or the electrical tape trick are the fast/easy/cheap ways to go it you don't like the chrome strip.

From my point of view, I can't see the chrome stripe from the driver's seat, so I don't' care.

Whatever you choose, enjoy your C7!

Chris P.

That actually looks really good. I'm thinking about Carbon front lip and side skirts to match my carbon roof so I think this might compliment it nicely. Thanks for the suggestion!!

chefcg1

I did carbon fiber wrap at first and than just did the swap. Huge improvement in aesthetics. Keep the OEM grill if your worried about OEM as they aren’t worth **** to sell.

Frankb10

Hi Folks

did mine today in less than an hour...bought tape on eBay for $4.69.....

i think it looks pretty good.

What chrome strip?

eboggs_jkvl

Not bad but the ZO6 grill has ducts that can feed air to the brakes. IF you have a Z51, you already have the ducts ready to be connected. If you do not have a Z51, you can purchase the ducts very reasonably and install them when you make the swap.

Sorry, now it looks like a black retainer.

Elmer

PLRX

That base grille is the fugliest piece of trim ever. Looks like the design engineer for the C8 has good taste.

Buy the Z06 grille and swap it

iclick

It looks especially goofy (IMO) on a car with CF badges and black wheels like my 2015 had. IIRC in 2016> the strip was blacked out when your ordered black wheels, and the wheel center caps were also the black variety. That fits.