My convertible was delivered without the stage one splitter which was sent to the dealer later. I picked the splitter up today thinking the installation would not be difficult. I am not sure if I will install it or purchase a better looking piece to install.
Never the less, the hardware that came with the splitter looks like a small nail with a thicker back end or sleeve that I am guessing needs to be fastened with the use of a nail gun, but I am not sure.
Does anyone here know what I am talking about?
Has anyone here installed the OEM splitter with this hardware or some other hardware?
Can I use another fastener to install the splitter?
Short of returning to the dealer, any advice on the installation would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

 

Those are rivets. It is not difficult. But I would suggest dealer installation.
Just incase something happens down line. Have them throw it on at your 500 mile oil change!
Good luck!

 

Yes those are rivets. I installed mine, I 1st removed the 7mm bolts and mounted the splitter with those 7mm bolts, then I drilled using the slitter holes as the template, then installed the rivets. You should have the instructions with the splitter as to what size holes to drill,sorry I forgot the size of drill bit to use

 

3/16

 

If I attach the splitter with the rivets, that is pretty much permanent, correct?
Is there another way to attach the splitter without the rivets in case I want to replace it with something that matches side skirts that I have not yet purchased?

 

The kit supplied includes 10 rivets and 2 screws.
It is not clear where the screws are attached. It does look like the holes to be drilled for the rivets are 3/16 like sky and said.

 

Like Skybwnd said not "Sky and".
Got to love autocorrect!

 

My coupe also came without the front splitter. At 1st the dealer told me my car wasn't supposed to have a front splitter, but we got over that misunderstanding. Now he is telling me there is a GM bulletin out for the dealers telling them the front splitters get sent to the dealers after the car, but when he read me the bulletin over the phone, the bulletin referred to convertibles-----nothing was said about coupes. Now, I don't know if he mis-read it, or left portions out, etc., but I am wondering if anyone has any insight to this. I never got the 10 screws to install the wings on my stage 1 rear spoiler either-----dealer thinks they may be coming with the front splitter (even though he supposedly ordered them over 2 weeks ago). Thank you.

 

I ordered a stage 1 convertible and the rear spoiler wings were in the trunk with the hardware to install. The front splitter was in the passenger side of car when I went to see the car for the first time. I would stay on him and make sure that he ordered the splitter and other hardware. If you don't receive it soon, go to the Manager at the Dealership. Good Luck

 

Rivets can typically only be removed by drilling out the centers (assuming they are decent sized "pop" rivets), and it sounds like they are from the descriptions given above and the 3/16" hole (I've never really looked at them on mine)....simply drill out/off mushroom head using same 3/16" bit if you ever have to/want to remove (e.g. say for an upgrade from Stage I to II, etc.). Slugs in the remaining holes would probably have to be pushed on thru to clear them out, and hopefully would fall out of front fascia somehow (eventually).

 

Also, if you drill the rivets out, you will have trouble finding replacements with the large heads that GM uses.

I would suggest you use the same screws that match the two that came with the splitter and that hold the bumper cover on...Some people just use all plastic push in rivets, but I would use metal screws where possible just for the extra strength and security.

I used the GM screws with matching u-nuts and a 1 inch flat washer on all but the two center holes that you drill, which do not have access inside the bumper, and two 1/4 inch plastic push in rivets for the the two center holes where the back cannot be accessed to put the nut on.

I used the GM u-nuts just like a regular nut since they are self-locking, and the GM screws are an odd thread. They are not clipped onto the bumper cover. (M4.2-1.41 x 20mm screws) The body shop at the dealer should have extras, or you can order online from places like http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/v/v..._catalog58.pdf
They also have the matching aluminum u-nuts.
You only need a 1/8 inch hole for the screws instead of 3/16 inch for the metal rivets.

The two body screws that come with the GM kit are for the ends of the splitter since they need to be longer to go through the air dams and the bumper cover.

By the way, I would just install the factory splitter and forget about the sides skirts... They don't really look good on a street car and serve no purpose unless you are worried about keeping rocks from hitting the rocker panels.



Factory bumper cover screws, 1 inch flat washer, and factory u-nut for extra holes on the leading edge.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone.
I am still a bit unclear.
I looked under my front bumper today. There are 10 bolts (like the two in the installation kit) that screw into the underside of the bumper.
Can I use those bolts alone to attach the splitter, or do I use them in addition to the 10 rivets?
The splitter is very lightweight. It seems that the 10 bolts alone would be enough. Hopefully someone can give me some additional guidance here.
Thanks again for the help.

 

Yes you need to use the rivets too

 

The existing bumper cover bolts hold the rear of the splitter, but most now agree that you need to drill the extra holes to secure the leading edge. Remember, it is not the weight of the splitter, but the aero dynamic force on the splitter you should be concerned about.
The wind force will be constantly trying to push the leading edge of the splitter down, and it will also allow dirt, etc. to accumulate in the space between the bumper and splitter. Also, if it sags over time, it will be more likely to drag on something and cause more damage.
Some have initially just used the existing screws, and later came back and added the extra rivets or screws.

It is an easy installation, but you will have to get the nose of the car high enough to drill the extra holes. It helps to have the car on a lift to reach inside the bumper cover to install the nuts.

 

Dealer just called me and said my front splitter came in. I should be getting it installed before the weekend-----I will ask them for the written instructions and ask them how they did it. The only caveat is that this is not a dealership with a lot of experienced with corvettes, so if something 'extra' beyond the instructions is prudent, they won't have a clue. However, this got me thinking---the service area at MacMulkin's in NH seems to be great---maybe you could call them---I bet the service manager would get back to you.

 

You need a 5.0mm bit, at least that's what the factory says. I bought one when I noticed that my side splitters were missing 4 rivets on each side. The front splitter uses the same size rivets.

 

Again, I very much appreciate all the valuable input.
Two more questions:
1. If I remove the 10 bolts on the bottom of the bumper cover before I begin to reinstall them with the splitter, will anything shift out of position and impede the bolt reinstallation? Or should I do one half at a time and reinstall the bolts and splitter on one side before I remove the bolts on the other side?
2. Once the splitter is installed with the rear bolts, when I drill into the bottom of the bumper cover is there anything inside the cover I need to be careful of, or is it an empty space?
Thanks all again.

 

Like I said in my 1st post remove all the screws install the splitter with those screws and then drill holes for rivets thru the existing holes in the splitter. there should not be anything where your drilling but I would just drill enough to get thru the bumper cover. Very easy install.

 

Thanks George and all others.
Appreciate your responses and insights.

 

After much consternation, I decided to install the splitter with the factory bolts and rivets.
The install was pretty straight forward, but I removed the two side baffles to bolt the two ends of the splitter and then reinstalled the baffles and splitter end with the two longer than stock bolts.
I had never used a rivet gun before, but it worked seamlessly.
Took the car for a ride on the interstate when I was finished and the splitter was still there when I returned home.
Thanks again everyone for your input and guidance.
Love this forum for the wealth of information and people willing to help others.