Does a base model stingray need splash guards?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 405
Likes: 235
From: Evansville(ish) Indiana
Does a base model stingray need splash guards?
My calibrated eyeballs tell me that the front tires on my bone stock SR are too narrow to require splash guards and the wider rear tires are unlikely to throw up anything that mars the paint.
Unfortunately my calibrated eyeballs have been known to lead me astray.
Anyone have a strong opinion in one direction or there other?
Unfortunately my calibrated eyeballs have been known to lead me astray.
Anyone have a strong opinion in one direction or there other?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,488
Likes: 714
From: Sausalito CA
The underside near the front rocker panel and the rear panel under the exhaust tips take rock damage.
Perhaps other long-term owners can address whether rock chips are occuring on the side of the body.
I installed the OEM larger splash guards, which protect the sides, but not the undercarriage I mentioned above.
Good luck with your decision.
Perhaps other long-term owners can address whether rock chips are occuring on the side of the body.
I installed the OEM larger splash guards, which protect the sides, but not the undercarriage I mentioned above.
Good luck with your decision.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 306
Likes: 294
From: NJ
I go the GM wide ones and they help, but the biggest impact comes from the ZL1Addons side skirts I put on. Those have basically stopped all the pings off the rockers from rocks/pebbles/debris. They may not look as fashionable as other side skirts, but they are functional and durable.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 2,833
Likes: 2,151
From: Kelso, Wa
Mine were a factory order so I can't say if it would be different if I'd never had them, but ....
On a different make and model they made all the difference. I used to get dirt up the 1/4 panel behind the wheels, but NO MORE.
Consider it cheap chip insurance, and put them on.
My 2¢
On a different make and model they made all the difference. I used to get dirt up the 1/4 panel behind the wheels, but NO MORE.
Consider it cheap chip insurance, and put them on.
My 2¢
Pro
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 748
Likes: 425
From: Iowa
I dont use them but dont drive much in crappy weather. I would get body color match guards if I decide to. I think they disappear when body color.
I actually prefer ppf if worried about damage. Just a small area of ppf would do the job.
I actually prefer ppf if worried about damage. Just a small area of ppf would do the job.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 13,587
Likes: 1,352
From: Home of the VOLS ! Knoxville, TN. Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '15, '16-'17-'18-'19
I did the XL splash guards on all four. I ordered them from EOS. They were very nice, but the OEM clips work better. I just moved them and threw away the ones that came with the XLs.
I also did the 20mm black spacer mod on all 4 wheels. So now my wheels fit flush with the fenders and quarter panels, and the XL splash guards don't look out of place.
I also did the 20mm black spacer mod on all 4 wheels. So now my wheels fit flush with the fenders and quarter panels, and the XL splash guards don't look out of place.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,298
Likes: 3,198
From: Oro Valley Arizona
Only The Shadow Knows
My calibrated eyeballs tell me that the front tires on my bone stock SR are too narrow to require splash guards and the wider rear tires are unlikely to throw up anything that mars the paint.
Unfortunately my calibrated eyeballs have been known to lead me astray.
Anyone have a strong opinion in one direction or there other?
Unfortunately my calibrated eyeballs have been known to lead me astray.
Anyone have a strong opinion in one direction or there other?
The splash guards from eBay and amazon are $60, OEM look and finish. Super easy to install. 15 minutes if your smarter than a box of roxx. So do you need them? Just maybe.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,943
Likes: 12,359
From: NE South Carolina
I go the GM wide ones and they help, but the biggest impact comes from the ZL1Addons side skirts I put on. Those have basically stopped all the pings off the rockers from rocks/pebbles/debris. They may not look as fashionable as other side skirts, but they are functional and durable.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 490
Likes: 386
From: Brandon, MS
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I added the GM guards to my car week one. GM paid for them so might as well. They have worked ok to date. They’re not the widest ones out there but fit into the cars lines nicely.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,503
Likes: 1,452
From: Pittsburgh PA
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,326
Likes: 812
From: Naples Florida
I would go for it, you never know when or if God forbid you have to drive down a dirt gravel road at some point in time. One of the first mods I got when I got my Eray was order me a set of front guards off of Ebay to protect the lower rockers.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 592
Likes: 253
From: Michigan
The underside near the front rocker panel and the rear panel under the exhaust tips take rock damage.
Perhaps other long-term owners can address whether rock chips are occuring on the side of the body.
I installed the OEM larger splash guards, which protect the sides, but not the undercarriage I mentioned above.
Good luck with your decision.
Perhaps other long-term owners can address whether rock chips are occuring on the side of the body.
I installed the OEM larger splash guards, which protect the sides, but not the undercarriage I mentioned above.
Good luck with your decision.
Given how much they are needed up front, I see them as necessary.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,943
Likes: 12,359
From: NE South Carolina
Fronts absolutely kick back lots towards your door and the strike zones that protrude back out ahead of the rear wheel. If you have rocker extensions it will help, but then the rocker extensions take the beating. Rears aren't as bad but you still got the little wedge area that will take some depending on your roads. Driving in Michigan I just do them by default. Our highways are filthy, rain, rock filled potholes, rock filled expansion joints, and a few gravel roads... there is no choice.
Given how much they are needed up front, I see them as necessary.
Given how much they are needed up front, I see them as necessary.
Have used full length Side Skirts on my 2014 C7, 2017 Grand Sport and 2020 C8. All three were flat on the bottom. Could hear the pebbles hit the flat bottom of the side skirts. BUT only ants would see those marks. None show where visible.In our rural are where I drive, mostly two lane no shoulders. On the road edge are pebbles and dirt. That gets pulled onto the pavement. When the Corvette tires hit, some is thrown back. In fact GM knew where the issue was with the Coke Bottle car shape. For my 2014 C7 Z51 they supplied with the car brom Bowling Green, clear plastic PPF from the door center up to in front of the rear wheel well. However within a month their cheap, heavy plastic was dinged. After I installed full length carbon fiber side skirts from LG MotorSports all dinged stopped. I was able to remove the cheap heavy clear plastic. When I sold the car rocker panels looked new!
