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Rock chips!

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Old Jun 23, 2015 | 10:06 PM
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Default Rock chips!

Hey guys,

I'm almost at 1,000 miles on my new C7Z and although I love this car, I have to say I'm not thrilled about all of the rock chips it's getting on the rear (lower) fenders. I do not have the side skirts (not really a huge fan of them), and I already installed the OEM front splash guards to try and deflect the dang rocks a bit. I live out in the country and although my road is paved, it still gets a fair amount of rocks on it. I almost can't drive through my neighborhood slow enough. Tonight I had a neighbor right behind me and I'm sure they were wondering why the heck I was driving so slow. It is really taking some of the fun out of driving this awesome car. I have noticed that these MPSS tires are SO sticky that they are literally grabbing and tossing the rocks. Twice I've actually had them land IN the car!! Not cool. I'm wondering if a less aggressive tire might not throw the rocks all over the side of my car? Anyone have any experience with a different brand tire that might not be quite as sticky.

Any help or advice would be appreciated. Seems dumb that I'm nervous to drive my new car. Ugh.

Thanks!
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Old Jun 23, 2015 | 10:34 PM
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Quick Z

since my first vette I've had the same having to re paint every year to keep it sharp,
I started clear filming all the rockers, part of the hood, mirrors headlight lenses ect.
the cost of the clear was so much less than having to re paint every year.

yes I know it doesn't look quite as good but the money stayed in my pocket.
I will do the same on this car.

good luck
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Old Jun 23, 2015 | 10:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Madsen
Quick Z

since my first vette I've had the same having to re paint every year to keep it sharp,
I started clear filming all the rockers, part of the hood, mirrors headlight lenses ect.
the cost of the clear was so much less than having to re paint every year.

yes I know it doesn't look quite as good but the money stayed in my pocket.
I will do the same on this car.

good luck
Thanks. I already have an appt next week to have clear film installed on the rear fenders. Just wondering if it's these sticky tires or just the design of the Z?
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Old Jun 23, 2015 | 11:20 PM
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Originally Posted by 1QUICK Z
Thanks. I already have an appt next week to have clear film installed on the rear fenders. Just wondering if it's these sticky tires or just the design of the Z?
Poor design. Not enough development time in non z07 cars. I broke down and bought the side skirts. See my previous posts on issue.
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Old Jun 23, 2015 | 11:40 PM
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Originally Posted by 1QUICK Z
Hey guys,

I'm almost at 1,000 miles on my new C7Z and although I love this car, I have to say I'm not thrilled about all of the rock chips it's getting on the rear (lower) fenders. I do not have the side skirts (not really a huge fan of them), and I already installed the OEM front splash guards to try and deflect the dang rocks a bit. I live out in the country and although my road is paved, it still gets a fair amount of rocks on it. I almost can't drive through my neighborhood slow enough. Tonight I had a neighbor right behind me and I'm sure they were wondering why the heck I was driving so slow. It is really taking some of the fun out of driving this awesome car. I have noticed that these MPSS tires are SO sticky that they are literally grabbing and tossing the rocks. Twice I've actually had them land IN the car!! Not cool. I'm wondering if a less aggressive tire might not throw the rocks all over the side of my car? Anyone have any experience with a different brand tire that might not be quite as sticky.

Any help or advice would be appreciated. Seems dumb that I'm nervous to drive my new car. Ugh.

Thanks!
Better start liking the side skirts as they solve the whole issue.
On since day one car lower sides still like new.
ACS better get them.
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Old Jun 24, 2015 | 12:03 AM
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Originally Posted by 3 Z06ZR1
Better start liking the side skirts as they solve the whole issue.
^^^ ^^^

Originally Posted by 3 Z06ZR1
On since day one car lower sides still like new.
ACS better get them.
Yep...Those are the ones!
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Old Jun 24, 2015 | 12:13 AM
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i have the stage 3 z07 and the side skirts do help with preventing rock chips. since the front spats came in a bag, i have found no reason to install them.

at first i thought the wicker and skirts added enough drag to reduce trap speeds in even as short a distance as 1/4 m, but after running w and w/o, i found no repeatable difference in back to back runs at the drags.

now, i have grown used to the look and actually like it, as do most casual observers w/o even knowing why it looks different from other z's
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Old Jun 24, 2015 | 01:41 AM
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Side skirts is the answer!
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Old Jun 24, 2015 | 06:32 AM
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Side skirts vs. paint protection film. You pick.
BTW, if you think the SS tires are bad, try the cup 2's for a bit they are even worse.
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Old Jun 24, 2015 | 08:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Babaron
Side skirts vs. paint protection film. You pick.
BTW, if you think the SS tires are bad, try the cup 2's for a bit they are even worse.
I have no doubt the Cup 2's are even worse. I think I'm gonna try the film and see what that does for a while. Good to know the side skirts really do work on these cars. I ran into a 2011 ZR1 at the drag strip last Sunday and he has the carbon fiber side skirts on his car. They were not deflecting all of the rocks. He had some pretty bad road rash on his car.
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Old Jun 24, 2015 | 08:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Babaron
Side skirts vs. paint protection film. You pick.
BTW, if you think the SS tires are bad, try the cup 2's for a bit they are even worse.
Thats the truth. I put not he Conti's for street driving and they toss next to nothing up. With the cup2's I would have the edge of back glass filled with pebbles.
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Old Jun 24, 2015 | 08:53 AM
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Originally Posted by 99ta316
Thats the truth. I put not he Conti's for street driving and they toss next to nothing up. With the cup2's I would have the edge of back glass filled with pebbles.
Good to know about the Conti's. I will likely look into these next year when I already need new tires. Are these tires pretty quiet? I assume they still hold the road pretty well?
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Old Jun 24, 2015 | 08:58 AM
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Originally Posted by 1QUICK Z
Good to know about the Conti's. I will likely look into these next year when I already need new tires. Are these tires pretty quiet? I assume they still hold the road pretty well?
Yes and yes/no. When warm they hold the road pretty well. When cold like most tires not the best. They are much quieter and lighter because they are not run flats.
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Old Jun 24, 2015 | 09:39 AM
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I've got the side skirts and the GM accessory splash guards. 1500 miles and no chips. The combo of those two seem to help.
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Old Jun 24, 2015 | 09:46 AM
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I drove the first 500 miles without the skirts and got chips. I put the side skirts,factory flaps and xpel on and no more chips at 2100 miles.

Last edited by badhabit_wb; Jun 24, 2015 at 10:17 AM.
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Old Jun 24, 2015 | 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by 99ta316
Yes and yes/no. When warm they hold the road pretty well. When cold like most tires not the best. They are much quieter and lighter because they are not run flats.
Good to know. Food for thought. Thanks man
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Old Jun 24, 2015 | 09:55 AM
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Paint protection film is what you need. Rocker extensions and splash guards will alleviate most, but not all of the problem.
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To Rock chips!

Old Jun 24, 2015 | 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by OnPoint
I've got the side skirts and the GM accessory splash guards. 1500 miles and no chips. The combo of those two seem to help.
I just installed the OEM splash guards up front. I will be installing the clear film next week once I touch-up these darn chips. I might have to reconsider the side skirts.

Thanks!
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Old Jun 24, 2015 | 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by 09Z06pj
Paint protection film is what you need. Rocker extensions and splash guards will alleviate most, but not all rock chips.
It's going on next week.

Thanks!
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Old Jun 24, 2015 | 10:16 AM
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Who is doing your film? Going with Xpel or other?

Originally Posted by 1QUICK Z
It's going on next week.

Thanks!
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