I am looking to get a carbon flash painted 5VM style front splitter and have seen prices from $799 to $1,250. I believe the more expensive ones are full carbon fiber, painted carbon flash? I assume they are stronger and weigh less. Worth the extra $450?

Thanks.

 

"All layer" Carbon Fiber", using PrePeg Carbon Fiber material, Tooled for it an laid up correctly is the best strength wise. Cost goes up some when the top layer is laid up to produce a "V" shape at nose like GM's 5VM ones. Cheaper to not have to match the Carbon Fiber Grain perfect at the center of "V", but not doing that makes for a Cheap look. If painted you want noticed that.

Strength of Carbon Fiber is in it's layup pattern. If you say, lay all the layers grain the same way, that makes for a weaker part. One Carbon Fiber layer over fiberglass doesn't add much, if any strength. For looks only.

Note: PrePeg means Carbon fiber has glue impregnated in it. Makes for stronger part than laying up layer and brushing on glue on each layup. It's not hit or miss process. Some parts Makers use vacuum pressure to bond pieces together. Other one may use Press Molded tooling.

Buy what you feel fits your need strength and price wise.

I paid for Strength, with the "V" shape at nose of splitter, an on High Wing same grain pattern at Center on it. Matched look. Both or offered painted.
Carbon Flash has a nice Look to it ALSO.

 

Thanks, I do plan on getting the painted carbon flash so it seems to me that buying the least expensive probably is the way to go unless the the paint doesn't look as good on those. Don't mind spending some extra money if it were worth it.

 

Are you buying a 5VM Splitter? The width of it is wider than Z51. That makes the nose stick out farther.

Does your C8 have Lift Option? Reason I'm asking is with the nose sticking farther out, it's going to be more of a problem. I'm learning real fast to understand that even with Lift I have to try and figure out the best approach to not only entering a driveway, (that's a lot easier to slant nose approach going in), but pulling out when I can't angle the approach to exit, but back straight out, nose hits/drags. Backing straight out can drag the nose even with lift. Now add the extra length of 5VM splitter and those problems get worst. I'm definitely going to have to learn to judge not only the entrance to a driveway, but exit also. I'll know more in about 3 weeks...LOL

I understand why the C8's nose has two angles of "Attack" 1st at nose, the 2nd one is is around 3,0" aft of nose. 1st one, more distance to centerline of tire, than 2nd one...LOL That's what keeps the 2nd one from being a problem? it's closer to the centerline of tire, more like that of C7...LOL What that means is the Front Tires start to lift the 2nd one, more like C7.

 

Yes I am planning on buying the 5VM Splitter. I do have the front lift and have not scraped the Z51 splitter as of yet. I try to raise the front whenever I think there is a possibility of scaping, entering and exiting driveways, speed bumps and the like. The Carbon Flash painted 100% full carbon fiber splitter is $450 more than the FRP-Composite Painted.

 

Ha...lucky you don't have to replace the CF front splitter on a 2019 ZR1.

 

Maybe we can help. Our fiberglass splitters are made right here in Florida. The Deal of the day is $875 shipped
Carbon Flash or Hydrocarbon, with or without logo. December 15th deadline to get your order in for Xmas delivery!
Contact: Call/Text Pat 813-476-5638 or pat@americanhydrocarbon.com

 

Those look really nice but trying to decide why pay more if I am going with the painted Carbon Flash, a vendor on this site a 5VM style for $499. They are made of reinforced AVS plastic. I see yours is fiberglass. I have also seen painted carbon fiber for a bit more as well.

With my HTC top, mirrors, z51 spoiler and side scoop trim, does it really make a difference what material if it is painted?

Thanks

 

It all comes down to what you are looking for. To answer your question, not all parts are made equally.

Here is our explanation of what we do

https://acscomposite.com/blogs/news/...-the-ground-up

You will find a wide range of manufacturing process and most sellers will not disclose how parts are made, or event the country of origin. From low end items imported overseas, to hand laminated parts made in open tooling. In really comes down to the mechanicals of the material used. You'll have to do more homework and rely on vendor reviews to find out which is right for you.

 

Strength of ALL Layer CARBON FIBER is the difference. Is that a huge Difference,,,Could depend on how the Curbs are designed in your area keep water from overflowing them when it raining hard. Section of the country I live in, we get a lot of Hard Down pours.
True 5VM design Splitter width is wider than Z51's splitter, so it more of a problem. If in your area they have those Neighborhood Style Speed Bumps, some of those can be a problem.
Don't know how the quality of C7 or C8 Carbon Fiber layer over Composite layers is, but if anything like the C6's Splitter, you could not give me one. You can pick one of those up, with one hand in center, an they can/will crack.

Buy what you feel comfortable with, Cost wise. That the primary factor for most. You may never have a problem, if you do then upgrade on replacement... Your money your car. Also might want to factor in number of miles a month you think you will be driving it, in areas your not accustom to driving in.

Think GM didn't factor in C8 nose dragging even with it's Angle of Attack (has two, one at point of nose, then 2nd one about 3.0" Aft), but with the distance from the C8 Nose to the Center of Front Tires (which moves even farther out with Z51 splitter), then even more with 5VM Splitter design.. GM designed Z51 splitter it in 3 pcs, made out of cheap plastic, $50.00 a section.... Every wonder why....not a single piece. The damage to my Z51 splitter is not Front to Rear, it's Rear to Front. Has jagged edge with plastic on it outside edge at center of it, not on the back side of it...LOL Will the all carbon fiber 5VM which noes is even farter away from center line be a problem. Don't know yet. My C8 is being wrapped now that I had my all Carbon Fiber High Wing installed, along with 5VM splitter at same time. Which by the way, the HW's Carbon Fiber top layer layup matches the 5VM splitters nose layup.

Like I posted, Buy what you fill Comfortable with price wise, because that's where your at now, decision wise. PS: Carbon fiber look want be a contrast problem with your Carbon Flash stock pieces.

 

which vendor has this? Is it just the splitter or the whole package?

 

Just the splitter. What do you think?

Extreme Online Store | Corvette C8 5VM Style Carbon Flash Front Splitter Lip $499.99 - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion

 

Really good price! And FREE shipping to boot!

 

I guess it is an OK price since it is painted. Not sure why it is twice the price of the painted Z51. I know it has the small winglets, but it is not like they are replaceable as in prior years.

I wonder if they will have good prices on the 5VM side skirts.

 

Price is lowest for a 5VM style of any other vender, next closest I found was $799.

 

Folks: There is no free shipping. It's built into pricing. Vendors scare people off when they quote a low price, then give you the shipping Cost...LOL Few vendors do quote these type parts with shipping not included, try to make it look like they are offering you cheaper cost, with just part price

Because these parts are so light, they are not rated by weight, they are rated by package volume Length, Width & Depth, then Freight companies factors in they are fragile, and other boxes can't be stacked on them. This is why most Vendors use ProRated average of shipping to lower 48. Go outside those and shipping cost goes out of sight on these type items.

So odds are with Freight included...... at price point....????,,,,?????,,,,?????? on my part.

Don't know what material Vendor(S) are using at some of these price points, but if they are made from ABS plastic sheet. I can see how they got their price point from ABS sheet, number of parts they can get from a sheet, volume buying price. Once they get their tooling cost, recovered, then it's material including packaging , labor and shipping cost.

ABS sheet is a plus general purpose, low cost material that works well for applications such as aircraft interior trim, cassette holders, tote bins and trays, automotive parts, luggage, and more. The strength of ABS depends on temperature. ABS is easily thermoformed and lends itself to remarkable reproduction of mold detail. Extruded ABS sheet can be easily heat formed using any conventional thermoplastic sheet forming equipment.

• Haircell finish on one side
• Black is UV resistant, while white is not
• Good impact strength, formability, stiffness & toughness
• Good chemical & stress crack resistance
• Rigid & creep resistant
• Working temperature: -4°F to 178°F
• Forming temperature: 325°F to 350°F
• Temperature range: -22°F to 185°F
• Does not meet FDA requirements
• Sold in sheet size of 48" x 96" only

Note:
One of my many Careers, was for a Trucking Company as a Freight Rater.
Another one of my many Careers, was a Mfg. Engineer Sr. Supervisor. I do not have a Degree, so I could not have Engineers working under me. I could do what the MFG Engineers they had could not do. Figure out what had caused quality to go to hell, as Company transitioned from the Old way to the so call better ways...LOL I was 10 years old when the Project I was working on made it's 1st Flight. New way doesn't always work when transiting from Old way to New Way....LOL Parts don't always match B/Ps...LOL

 

From their website. MATERIAL: Reinforced ABS Plastic SURFACE FINISH: Carbon Flash (Metallic Gloss Black) PACKAGE INCLUDED: 5VM Style Front Splitter Lip Features:

 

I am impressed with your response... very well formulated and with good points. Now you'd need to factor in tooling investments...

Tooling and manufacturing location are the two most determining factors. Most vendors are using soft tooling, either wood for the thermoformers, or fiberglass for the rest. We use metal.

Much different performance since we are able to reach higher temps, on average our mechanicals will be 2-3 times higher than our competitors who import parts.

It really comes down to what you value when choosing the vendor to work with.

 

I ordered this today from them.

 

Our 5VM splitters are all fiberglass construction made right here in Florida. The splitters are an exact copy of the factory ones that are no longer available. You can have them in the visible carbon (hydrocarbon) or carbon flash metallic. All of our parts receive five coats of PPG UV automotive clear then buffed/polished to a show quality shine. These splitters are big so the dimensional weight is a lot typically costing around $175 to ship. We are offering these splitters at $875 shipped until midnight tonight.
Call/text Pat at 813-476-5638 or email pat@americanhydrocarbon.com.