Attaching Side Skirts
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
Attaching Side Skirts
I have read some info on attaching side skirts to the C7 and I know there is a bolt at the front that is used and then self-tapping screws for the rest of the attachment, and of course the 3M double sided tape. My question for those that have mounted these, I am not a real fan of the self-tapping screws, so I was thinking of drilling the holed and then using the Rivitnut and a threaded screw. That way if they need to be changed at any time, I just need to unscrew them, and I can reuse them for remounting.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Texas
I have read some info on attaching side skirts to the C7 and I know there is a bolt at the front that is used and then self-tapping screws for the rest of the attachment, and of course the 3M double sided tape. My question for those that have mounted these, I am not a real fan of the self-tapping screws, so I was thinking of drilling the holed and then using the Rivitnut and a threaded screw. That way if they need to be changed at any time, I just need to unscrew them, and I can reuse them for remounting.
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From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
Other than the front guide bolt being exact, I am not really sure that the predrilled holes are exactly in the same spot on every single skirt. So if you rivnut your existing one, a replacement may not exactly line up. That unless you drill in the replacement skirt to match the rivnut locations.
With a 3M double sided tape and self tappers snugged in and not over tightened, this thing will not go anywhere. You're probably over thinking it.
I have had 2 sets installed on 2 different C7s and I have yet to encounter replacing one.
With a 3M double sided tape and self tappers snugged in and not over tightened, this thing will not go anywhere. You're probably over thinking it.
I have had 2 sets installed on 2 different C7s and I have yet to encounter replacing one.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Texas
If they use them as curb feelers, they're also likely destroying the rockers (aka aperture panels).
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When I installed my side skirts, I used the one factory bolt and then used rivets to secure the rest to the car. It is rock solid.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
The only issue I have with rivets is if you do have to remove one or both you will need to drill the rivets out while with the Rivetnut you just remove the screw.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2021
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I have a 2019 with the A8. I wish this thread would have started 2 weeks ago. I installed the EOS side skirts and the instructions said nothing about cooling lines on the driver's side. It just said don't drill more than 12mm. I put a collar on the bit right at 12mm. A lot of the holes have metal right behind the fiberglass and I didn't know what should be done so I tried drilling through it. I did the passenger side first and drilled the metal on 3 of the holes but when I did the driver's side I think I was on my second metal hole when the bit broke. None of the youtube install videos warned about this either. If I drilled past 12mm it would have only been a fraction as I set the collar at 12mm on the bit and there is the thickness of the side skirt and rocker to account for. I just went out a pulled all the screws on the driver's side and they appeared dry and there was no residue when I rubbed the screw on my finger. Do we think I dodged a bullet here?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2023
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From: Epping, NH
Self tapping screws, rivets, rivnuts, it all works fine don't over think it. There is not much pressure acting on the side skirts on these cars. Our time attack car has been up to 160+mph on track and our side skirts are held on with self tapping screws for easy removal if needed. As someone stated the holes might not line up with other side skirts so self tappers were our choice and it works great.
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At track speeds I think it can be 200- 300+ pounds of force on them, for puting around street should be fine whatever folks want to do.. maybe even drag racing since force is more predictable and linear. Track racing puts many different angles of force so I would be more concerned there
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2023
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From: Epping, NH
At track speeds I think it can be 200- 300+ pounds of force on them, for puting around street should be fine whatever folks want to do.. maybe even drag racing since force is more predictable and linear. Track racing puts many different angles of force so I would be more concerned there
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From: Northern Illinois
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It was from a article by GM when developing the C7...the rear wing produces quite a bit as well
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2023
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From: Epping, NH
SIde skirts are there to prevent higher pressure air from over the car mixing with lower pressure air underneath the car, that's why they extend away from the vehicle. This actually doesn't make any downforce at all, it just prevents the mixing of the high and low pressure air preventing lift but not adding much DF. A well designed splitter with tunneling, flat floor, proper diffuser, and rear wing will make the DF.
