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… I remember the pain watching them drill and pop rivet the front license plate bracket on our ATS and that wasn't even a Corvette.
Boy, you would have been apoplectic watching the C7 Tech drill 13 holes/side and installing the GM pop rivets for my Grand Sport Stage 2 Aero Option! Small dealer, great Corvette Tech who let me in the Service Bay and take pics while he installed.
I mention on my aftermarket side skirt install PDF for the 2014 C7; the toughest part is emotional, drilling the first hole! After that the other ~11 were easy!
I'll have no problem drilling and installing pop rivets on my C8 for aftermarket side skirts!
1. These are just cosmetic covers that slip over the existing shape. Personally, if I wanted them black, I'd just vinyl wrap them.
2. The holes drilled are all on the underside. If you remove them you will only see the evidence with the car up in the air or laying on the ground detailing.
Here are some shots of the templates, and extension covers from both sides and ends. The 3M tape is on the bottom of the top side of the cover, and the deeper bottom side has the holes for the pop rivets. The finish matches the mud guards.
Do you think it’s worth sanding down and painting them carbon Flash?
If thats the finish you are looking for, I would try applying a gel coat over the parts, prime, and paint. I don't know how much sanding the plastic will take to eliminate the weave texture.
If thats the finish you are looking for, I would try applying a gel coat over the parts, prime, and paint. I don't know how much sanding the plastic will take to eliminate the weave texture.
Maybe best to wait to aftermarket see what comes out.
I want the rocker covers for my C8... but think the flash look would much more appealing than the dull black textured look. Hoping someone manufactures something soon before the car is built and delivered.
Roof was wrapped with 3m G212 glossy metallic Black
You can get a 3x5 ft sheet from RVinyl on eBay for $48 free shipping . Had professionally installed for $100. This wrap matched the carbon flash metallic perfectly!
This is it. It really improves the C8’s profile, makes it look more angular and less tall. Probably protects against rocks, too. Very cheap of GM to make it an accessory item instead of a standard trim piece.
Can someone please explain the level of stone chipping that you have experienced on the C7 or C8 without rocker panel extensions or the side effects kit?
Does it make a huge difference?
Can someone please explain the level of stone chipping that you have experienced on the C7 or C8 without rocker panel extensions or the side effects kit?
Does it make a huge difference?
My response is based on adding what GM had offered before being contained, Option 5VM full length side skirts NOT the simple extensions they offer (see pic.)
Have sold all 5 of my Vettes on my own from my 1st, a 1988. Just sold my 2017 Grand Sport last week at my asking price because it looked like it came from the factory partly because I had full length Stage 2 Aero Side Skirts. I'll explain starting with my early 2014 C7 Z51.
I installed GM Splash Guards as soon as I got my September 2013 built Z51. My experience with my C6 (where I purchased contoured painted car color splash guards and two C4's where I didn't) said something was needed.. Helped for the panel behind the C7 rear tire that are short and tucked-in BUT not the front. GM knew the issue and installed heavy plastic protection on the rocker panel from the door center up in front of the front of the rear fender well. Within a few weeks there were many marks on that plastic from stones thrown by the front tires. I live in a rural area with pebbles and debris on the shoulders that gets on the road. Bought full length side skirts. No more marking! Was able to remove all the GM heavy plastic, which had already discolored on the edges. The car looked new when I sold it.
When I ordered my Grand Sport with front tire width equal to the Z51 rears and much wider 335 section width rears I ordered the Stage 2 Aero package that comes with full length carbon fiber side skirts (and splitter) NOT the 3/4 plastic ones on the base GS and Z06. In addition to issues with rocker panels folks said the rear lower brake cooling duct openings were getting chipped. When I sold the 3 1/2 year old car last week there were no marks on the rocker panels OR the lower rear brake ducts. I had removed the GM "Protective Plastic" on the front of the rear wheel well which had also discolored on the edges.. Not a mark!
I'm not a fan of putting "Saran Wrap" on the car and IMO side skirts are a necessity, at least where I live. I already have the GM splash guards that are and easy install and will provide some help, at least in the rear. I ordered the equivalent of the GM 5VM option that was constrained from C7 Carbon in May when they opened their pre orders. Called last week and will start shipping in a few weeks. I'll have mine before my C8!
This is it. It really improves the C8’s profile, makes it look more angular and less tall. Probably protects against rocks, too. Very cheap of GM to make it an accessory item instead of a standard trim piece.
You realize that's just a plastic overlay on top of what's already there right? The rocker and "skirt" are all one piece. Option STI is a plastic cover trim part.
I did my roof and was thinking the rocker panels next, anyone do yet?
Chevy showed the car with these on every early reveal... thought black rockers were standard then we all learned it was an accessory. I was not into drilling holes into composite body panel on my new Corvette and using pop rivets.
Thanks for that solid and thorough explanation.
Sounds like there is a lot of value in getting these. When I saw they wanted almost 4K for the lot I was not very motivated. The carbon flash painted carbon fiber makes no sense to me either. Why not just offer a painted plastic version that would have been 1/4 of the price. If you are going to go with carbon for trim then it should be exposed. If it’s painted then carbon fiber is a total waste of money. (In this case)
Originally Posted by JerryU
My response is based on adding what GM had offered before being contained, Option 5VM full length side skirts NOT the simple extensions they offer (see pic.)
Have sold all 5 of my Vettes on my own from my 1st, a 1988. Just sold my 2017 Grand Sport last week at my asking price because it looked like it came from the factory partly because I had full length Stage 2 Aero Side Skirts. I'll explain starting with my early 2014 C7 Z51.
I installed GM Splash Guards as soon as I got my September 2013 built Z51. My experience with my C6 (where I purchased contoured painted car color splash guards and two C4's where I didn't) said something was needed.. Helped for the panel behind the C7 rear tire that are short and tucked-in BUT not the front. GM knew the issue and installed heavy plastic protection on the rocker panel from the door center up in front of the front of the rear fender well. Within a few weeks there were many marks on that plastic from stones thrown by the front tires. I live in a rural area with pebbles and debris on the shoulders that gets on the road. Bought full length side skirts. No more marking! Was able to remove all the GM heavy plastic, which had already discolored on the edges. The car looked new when I sold it.
When I ordered my Grand Sport with front tire width equal to the Z51 rears and much wider 335 section width rears I ordered the Stage 2 Aero package that comes with full length carbon fiber side skirts (and splitter) NOT the 3/4 plastic ones on the base GS and Z06. In addition to issues with rocker panels folks said the rear lower brake cooling duct openings were getting chipped. When I sold the 3 1/2 year old car last week there were no marks on the rocker panels OR the lower rear brake ducts. I had removed the GM "Protective Plastic" on the front of the rear wheel well which had also discolored on the edges.. Not a mark!
I'm not a fan of putting "Saran Wrap" on the car and IMO side skirts are a necessity, at least where I live. I already have the GM splash guards that are and easy install and will provide some help, at least in the rear. I ordered the equivalent of the GM 5VM option that was constrained from C7 Carbon in May when they opened their pre orders. Called last week and will start shipping in a few weeks. I'll have mine before my C8!
^^^^
Yep the GM price for Carbon Fiber painted Carbon Flash was $1000 less but still expensive (discontinued before ordering started.) For my 2017 Grand Sport, I paid $2995 for the carbon fiber painted carbon flash Stage 2 Aero Option (side skirts, splitter and rear spoiler extensions,) which was a $1000 less than the same in visible carbon fiber. Since there is a chance of brushing against full length side skirts on exit (especially for passengers) would not want in plastic.
Reminded of the visible carbon fiber roof for my C7 Z51. That option was $1195 compared to the standard roof that was carbon fiber (like the hood) BUT made with a procedure that did NOT visible sheet carbon fiber aligned etc. However it was said IF the visible carbon fiber roof did not meet QA standards the vendor could deliver it painted like the standard roof! I'm sure and only get the painted roof value! (BTW, my early 2014 C7 was delayed 2 weeks because the visible carbon fiber roof was constrained due to visible QA issues!)
What I ordered and will install on my C8 is from C7 Carbon is made and from fiberglass, painted carbon flash. I'm paying $1128 shipped for the side skirts and splitter. More practical constrution and good price! They also offer it made of fiberglass with the outer layer of visible carbon fiber for $1378! I had their splitter made that way on my 2014 Z51. Pic below. Looked great for the 3 years I had it and matched my OEM visible carbon fiber roof in appearance.
