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I recall reading a thread a few weeks ago highlighting extremely poor service and customer response of a specific vendor. Want to be sure to avoid them but can’t seem to locate the vendor name.
Seems like the GM 5VM kit is on national back order so that’s not an option. Also considered the C7Carbon 5VM kit in carbon flash but have been guided by an NCM installer to seek a kit designed like the GM kit - which has a bolt to secure the side with more than just 3M tape. The C7Carbon kit only recommends double sided tape on the skirt sides.
I believe there are a couple of options but would welcome any feedback you care to offer. My intent is to have it shipped to the NCM to have them install it prior to delivery. Thanks in advance!
I recall reading a thread a few weeks ago highlighting extremely poor service and customer response of a specific vendor. Want to be sure to avoid them but can’t seem to locate the vendor name.
Seems like the GM 5VM kit is on national back order so that’s not an option. Also considered the C7Carbon 5VM kit in carbon flash but have been guided by an NCM installer to seek a kit designed like the GM kit - which has a bolt to secure the side with more than just 3M tape. The C7Carbon kit only recommends double sided tape on the skirt sides.
I believe there are a couple of options but would welcome any feedback you care to offer. My intent is to have it shipped to the NCM to have them install it prior to delivery. Thanks in advance!
The CarbonC7 5VM is recommended to use double sided tape and rivets along the bottom...its 95% similar to the OEM without having to drill the hole just in front of the rear wheel.
C7Carbon side skirts are on like a 3 month backorder. So might want to find someone else. American Hydrocarbon (a vendor on here) has the sideskirts in stock and ready to ship (10 day lead time...but still shorter than most). I intend to go with them when the time comes. ACS Composite is also working on their own side skirts. But they have the front 5VM splitter in stock right now too. Price is decent at $730 shipped.
Last edited by ajmart85; May 27, 2021 at 12:41 PM.
I recall reading a thread a few weeks ago highlighting extremely poor service and customer response of a specific vendor. Want to be sure to avoid them but can’t seem to locate the vendor name.
I recall reading a thread a few weeks ago highlighting extremely poor service and customer response of a specific vendor. Want to be sure to avoid them but can’t seem to locate the vendor name.
Seems like the GM 5VM kit is on national back order so that’s not an option. Also considered the C7Carbon 5VM kit in carbon flash but have been guided by an NCM installer to seek a kit designed like the GM kit - which has a bolt to secure the side with more than just 3M tape. The C7Carbon kit only recommends double sided tape on the skirt sides.
I believe there are a couple of options but would welcome any feedback you care to offer. My intent is to have it shipped to the NCM to have them install it prior to delivery. Thanks in advance!
Your choice BUT C7 Carbon (a platinum vendor) does not use any 3M tape. In fact unless instructions changed they don't suggest that it's use at all! They like the GM product use 7 rivets in holes drilled under the rocker panels.
However the GM product is made from thin carbon fiber. It is more flexible than the C7 Carbon made from thicker fiberglass. It not only requires drilling a 3/8 inch hole in the rear fenders for a bolt, it specifics a very strong 3M adhesive along the edge of the long side skirts. In fact the GM product comes with 3M tape that I was told is to hold while the 3M adhesive cures. Since I used a similar product to install my street rear windows I had to support those in place overnight as that adhesive cured.
BTW If you want carbon fiber finish, C7 Carbon offers for a few hundred dollars more real carbon fiber cloth on the surface. It's not faux carbon fiber look-a-like.
Here are some pics of my very detailed install that includes (because I investigated) details of installing the GM 5VM. This is an 11 page Pics/Long Caption How To that includes pics of the install of the more complex GM's carbon fiber 5VM is that PDF: Side_Skirts.pdf (netwelding.com)
GM requires drilling a hole in the fender for a bolt. C7 Carbon does not as it's less flexible thicker fiberglass. Note I added the small amount of 3M tape as probably belt and suspenders. I've had installed 4 months and there is zero movement. The majority of the strength holding both are the 3/16 inch rivets and a factory bolt under the rocker panels.
Good pic showing why GM product requires a bolt and the very strong 3M adhesive (which comes in a tube like caulking.) Note how tin the GM carbon fiber edge is. Some of those areas are where GM required a strong adhesive be applied. This is a pic from my PDF outlining the steps to install the GM carbon fiber product. The text of each step is in the PDF.
Pic of my 2014 where I installed a C7 carbon splitter with a top layer of real carbon fiber cloth over fiberglass. Matched my OEM CF roof and other CF I added.
C7 Carbon (a platinum vendor) does not use any 3M tape. In fact unless instructions changed they don't suggest that it's use at all! They like the GM product use 7 rivets in holes drilled under the rocker panels.
many thanks for your response. I am not contradicting you especially after your willingness to offer your feedback but unfortunately C7 does suggest tape in lieu of the bolt through the side panel. I spoke to two different sources at C7. An independent installer has seen the tape give when not bolted - and that’s why GM (and others) secure with the side through-bolt (as painful it sounds to drill). The GM and C7 side skirt products install identically with all the other mount (rivet) points.
C7 Carbon (a platinum vendor) does not use any 3M tape. In fact unless instructions changed they don't suggest that it's use at all! They like the GM product use 7 rivets in holes drilled under the rocker panels.
many thanks for your response. I am not contradicting you especially after your willingness to offer your feedback but unfortunately C7 does suggest tape in lieu of the bolt through the side panel. I spoke to two different sources at C7. An independent installer has seen the tape give when not bolted - and that’s why GM (and others) secure with the side through-bolt (as painful it sounds to drill). The GM and C7 side skirt products install identically with all the other mount (rivet) points.
I have the C7Carbon side skirts and it comes with the rivets to put along the bottom of the body panel...
C7 Carbon (a platinum vendor) does not use any 3M tape. In fact unless instructions changed they don't suggest that it's use at all! They like the GM product use 7 rivets in holes drilled under the rocker panels.
many thanks for your response. I am not contradicting you especially after your willingness to offer your feedback but unfortunately C7 does suggest tape in lieu of the bolt through the side panel. I spoke to two different sources at C7. An independent installer has seen the tape give when not bolted - and that’s why GM (and others) secure with the side through-bolt (as painful it sounds to drill). The GM and C7 side skirt products install identically with all the other mount (rivet) points.
Joe,
Perhas you did not read my PDF or look at the pictures of the backside of both products. In fact the PDF discusses a conversation I had with a company who makes a copy of the GM product as that was my initial plan installing the carbon fiber GM product. Discussed that the reason for the bolt was the method of manufacture of the thin carbon fiber. It’s very flexible because it’s so thin a section. I posted that pic again . The C7 Carbon has a large flat fiberglass area that is ridged, not thin flexible carbon fiber. In fact the difference is NOT just in that area where frankly even the 3M tape I added is probably not needed. IMO the real issue with thin carbon fiber sections on the long edges.
You MUST use the GM recommend 3M adhesive that you buy separately in a caulking type tube. . That is a PIA if it's anything like the window adhesive I used to install my rear street rod windows. There is a YouTube video of a fellow installing the GM 5VM and he properly warned you must open the doors as it cautions it's toxic! May be why we have forum posts from GM 5VM installs by dealer who didn't use the 3M adhesive (it's NOT SUPPLIED with the product but is clearly indicated in the GM instructions) and they had movement. Mine have been installed for >4 months and you can't budge their thicker ridged side skirts!
I calledC7 Carbon! The young lady who answer was very surprised. She said not just for the C8 BUT for all their products they DO NOT EVERY recommend using only 3M Tape. I was very impressed about her knowledge of the installation! She said they do not supply the 3M tape but if folks want to use it in that flat area they can. Their Technical fellow, who was out that I have communicated with since 2014 is also a great guy and very knowledgeable.
As noted in my post with a pic, I bought their splitter in carbon fiber for my 2014 C7. I also bought their Rear Diffuser for my 2017 Grand Sport. Great knowledgeable folks and great products from my experience!
Install of GM 5VM carbon fiber side skirts from my PDF. Details of each step are outlined in the PDF from the GM instructions. The thin carbon fiber is flexible and GM supplies 3M tape along the sides. They require a very strong 3M window adhesive along those sections. The 3M tape holds them in place while the adhesive cures.
+1. AG Motorsports is a great local company where I live. I ordered their 5vm visible carbon fiber side skirts and they will ship to the NCM for my pickup there. On their site, they actually use the GM installation instructions for their side skirts as they are applied identically. They are the same. AG also manufactures their carbon fiber pieces and they are not an overlay. I wanted to get a full carbon fiber substrate if I was going to pay for carbon fiber.
The NCM tells me their PDI folks have installed the AGM 5vm side skirts several times for customers.
beautiful car! I just checked your site and they won’t have them in stock until the end of June. Wildhammer looking like my best option right now but at a premium.
It's up to you if you want to Drill/Bolt or use Double sided Tape.
If you want all layer Carbon Fiber, them AGMotorsports is to my knowledge the only MFG doing this. It's mid priced between GM's Original 5VM kits, and Single Layer CF or Composite. No comparison strength wise. In some cases no comparison looks wise, compared to GM 5VM top layer CF 'V" shape CF layup on splitter Vs one direction on some most of the Single layer CF offerings.
I was around CF parts on A/C for 20 years. I went with AGMotorsports all layer CF for it better strength and V CF layup. Those parts were the 1st Aftermarket parts to be installed by NCM. Had to take them up prior to my build being completed to show them the quality of parts before they agreed to install them.
Also have their all Layer CF HigWwing/spoiler that has 'V" shape center layer also, along with CF Tips.
I ordered & installed their CF engine compartment pieces a couple of weeks ago.
I love your kit. My ONLY issue with AGM is timing. They are posting a 8+ week availability and unfortunately I don’t have that runway. Currently at a mid July TPW. I want a solution that NCM can install so it’s ready for me upon delivery. My small town dealer would not have nearly the experience to tackle that install. With my luck it would arrive from AGM at NCM the week after I take delivery then I have to worry about how I’m going to get it shipped home. I typically wanted to stay away from visible carbon fiber in pref of carbon flash for consistency but I can see how the carbon fiber can become a mod obsession. Already looking at the other accessories AGM offers. Thanks for sharing your pictures and explanation of quality.
I love your kit. My ONLY issue with AGM is timing. They are posting a 8+ week availability and unfortunately I don’t have that runway. Currently at a mid July TPW. I want a solution that NCM can install so it’s ready for me upon delivery. My small town dealer would not have nearly the experience to tackle that install. With my luck it would arrive from AGM at NCM the week after I take delivery then I have to worry about how I’m going to get it shipped home. I typically wanted to stay away from visible carbon fiber in pref of carbon flash for consistency but I can see how the carbon fiber can become a mod obsession. Already looking at the other accessories AGM offers. Thanks for sharing your pictures and explanation of quality.
At the rate C8 assembly line is shutting down for 2 week supply problems, you might just get the 5VM kit to Bowling Green a couple of weeks or more before your build is shipped over to NCM....
I love your kit. My ONLY issue with AGM is timing. They are posting a 8+ week availability and unfortunately I don’t have that runway. Currently at a mid July TPW. I want a solution that NCM can install so it’s ready for me upon delivery. My small town dealer would not have nearly the experience to tackle that install. With my luck it would arrive from AGM at NCM the week after I take delivery then I have to worry about how I’m going to get it shipped home. I typically wanted to stay away from visible carbon fiber in pref of carbon flash for consistency but I can see how the carbon fiber can become a mod obsession. Already looking at the other accessories AGM offers. Thanks for sharing your pictures and explanation of quality.
I went with the AGM splitter and skirts. Ordered on 3/11/21 and it was supposed to be delivered to NCM for install prior to my delivery on 5/10/21. They were a week late in shipping the parts, so they weren't able to be installed at the NCM. But, we were able to get them shipped to Auto Armor and they installed them for me and added PPF and Ceramic. Their product is good quality and looks great, but don't expect a quick delivery. Auto Armor did a great job with the install. Go with the drilled bolt install for the side skirts. If you use only tape it will not hold. This piece is easily kicked, especially by passengers who don't know how to properly enter/exit your C8, so the bolt install will keep it much more secure. Good luck!
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