C7 ZR1 Carbon Fiber spoiler installed
 

Just got this spoiler installed. Purchased through American Hydrocarbon for my base C6 a couple of weeks ago.

I would say the overall quality is pretty high. Finish is very nice. Fit is close to perfect. A little bit of finagling to get both sides of the unit to sit properly in the pocket in the rear bumper. Also still trying to get the third brake light sitting just right. These are minor issues considering this is the third unit of this type (from three different manufacturers/vendors) that I've purchased. The first two were returned. The finish also matches my Hydrocarbon Door pulls pretty close. (close enough for me!!).

It takes a little bit of guts to drill those extra holes in your rear bumper. The manufacturer says the unit can be installed with the two threaded studs that pass through the (existing) factory holes and 3M double sided auto tape, but they provide two 'optional' studs on each side of the unit. After playing with the test fit, I decided there was no way I would rely on 3M double sided tape to hold down the ends of this unit. There was some force required to make the unit 'fit' down onto the bumper.

I ended up carefully marking the holes by taping the areas on the bumper for the outer bolts, putting a dab of paint on the center of each bolt head, and test fitting the unit. Some careful verifications with the measuring tape and I went for it. I then test fit the unit again and checked the alignment of the holes with a small drill bit. I then enlarged the holes and 'leaned' into the direction I needed to correct on one side. Be careful, as the bumper material cuts very easily with a sharp drill bit (like butter).

The most difficult part for me was getting the third brake light sitting properly into the opening in the Spoiler which is, BTW, much more sturdy than some the other units I had purchased. There is actually more than 1/8" of material below the brake light and it doesn't look like it will break off easily. See the 2nd photo.

A little more futzing with the final outer holes and it was in. I'm still not satisfied with the center brake light and it's alignment, so I'm sure I'll have it off again. There is also a small gap between the bottom of the spoiler and the bumper in the center of the unit. It's only visible when I look from the drivers door back at the spoiler. I can't see it when I look from the rear back towards the bumper and spoiler.

Anyway, I like this unit and I'll probably buy more stuff from C7 carbon. I called them yesterday and spoke with Ryan about some installation advice. Actually got somebody on the phone right away!.

Considering the price (compared to some competing vendors) the quality on the finish is a 10. I'd give the fitment (so far) an 8, but I'm pretty sure I'll be able to work through the remaining issues. Here's some photos (from my phone... sorry). I'll get some better ones when I get my new wheels installed.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10503725/C7%20Spoiler%201.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10503725/C7%20Spoiler%202.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10503725/C7%20Spoiler%203.jpg

It looks great. Is it carbon or hydrocarbon?

Great classic color for the car.

This is a real CF overlay on Fiberglass substrate (I believe). It's a real CF outer layer either way... not Hydro.

:thumbs:Yes sir looks good. But I'm a little partial to MR.:thumbs: can't wait to see the new wheels.

:thumbs: Looks good.

:iagree:

Thanks guys. I'm working through the final fitment issues with C7 now. Let's see how responsive they are.. so far, so good. Phone answered with pre-install question, and email left on site replied to over the weekend... Those are both good signs IMO... I know I'm taking it off again, but I want to have a plan before I do..

Thanks for posting up the pics.
Let me know if you need anything else.

I have this same spoiler I believe? I think they should of had bolts on the outer edges to help suck it down. :yesnod:
I do agree, this is also not my first one and this one has the best fit around the third brake light. (except for my original ZR1 spoiler) :yesnod:

I like it! :thumbs:

well.. I kinda need to work out this fitment issue on the front facing edge at the center. So far all they've suggested at C7 is to tighten the screws in the center area.. they are about as tight as I'm comfortable making them (wrench tight)...

I need to take it off and play with the brake light. I'll take another stab at the center fitment, but it doesn't look like it wants to sit all the way down when the outer edges are snugged down..?

Mine does have bolts on the outer ends.. One of each side about half way down the extended wing of the spoiler. The outer edges are fitting very nice. Its the middle that I can't get to sit down all the way... hmmm.

Sorry, do you have bolts at the very ends or about halfway to the end?
:cheers:

Because of the way the slight valleys on each side of the hatch angles back, if you try to get the spoiler to lay to far back (to get it flush with the bumper), the spoiler might not quite match the body's profile.

You might try making the holes (where the bolts go) slightly larger to give the spoiler a little play so that you can position it (possibly moving it towards that front of the car slightly) so that it can better match up with those inner valleys.

Just a suggestion. :thumbs:

half way towards the end... four bolts total.

Yeah, playing with the center holes a little is what I was thinking as well. I've got to get the brake lights sitting correct first. (Its flopping around a bit now). I'm trying to get a straight answer from C7 about whether the light is supposed to be bolted on before the spoiler is installed. (I think it is)...

The center holes were already a bit 'widened' when I took off my stock spoiler.. I can't make them much bigger or the washers on the bolts will slip through... gotta be careful here. Thanks for the suggestion!!!

Yes, I wish they had bolts on the ends, as that where mine sits up a bit. If they would of just put the same bolts as the factory ZR1 spoiler, it would be great. The one I bought from RPI had all the proper bolts, but the piece below the third brake light was warped, too thin, stretched and a real disaster :ack:. Josh agreed and refunded my money. :thumbs: This one is much better, just doesn't fit perfectly. And for mine, playing with the size of the holes is not the issue as there are no bolts to put into my holes.

Bigger washers. :lol:

Yes, I have done 3 different styles of spoilers on my car and the brake light is always screwed down before the spoiler is installed.

Although I am not familiar with the structure of the C7 spoiler, I would think that would be the case with it as well.

I had to use larger washers.

:iagree:Looks really good:rock:

Sent you p.m.

The third brake light needs to be installed in the new spoiler just like it is on the stock one. The two center studs hold the brake light in place on the stock one so you need to run those two nuts up the studs after the brake light goes in to the spoiler to hold it in place, then mount the spoiler on the car.

So you are saying you have the two bolts that the third brake light gets mounted to. Then you have four more, two on each side after that? If you remove it again could you please post pic of underside of spoiler. Thanks..

Probably, similar to the GM full width spoiler. It has 2 extra studs on each side.

http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/100_0114.jpg

No that is not correct, he does NOT have those outer bolts, I already asked him that.

OK, sorry. My mistake. OEM ones do. :thumbs:

OK, I thought that I had read this from the OP. :toetap:

I also read his response to one of your questions about the studs, so it seems there is some confusion about how many extra studs he has (other than the 2 in the indentation of the standard spoiler).

I agree, it was confusing :crazy:, but from these quotes, I am taking that he does NOT have the outer bolts. :lurk:

I also purchased the same spoiler from American Hydrocarbon.
Neither the two studs holding the brake light or the outer bolts lined up with the existing holes in my ZR1, they were off by almost 3/8".
I notched/elongated the two center holes to allow the spoiler\studs to drop into position.
With the spoiler in position I then scribed the remaining hole positions (8 holes) with an awl, then drilled & tapped 1/4x20 holes into the underside of the spoiler. Hex bolts w/ fender washers were then threaded into the tapped holes. Threading the screws in place while reaching into the bumper cover through the tail light openings was a PIA. Were I to do this over I would use threaded studs similar to the OEM hardware, available from McMaster Carr--http://www.mcmaster.com/#95412A542

As the OP said the finish is very good which is why I put up with the hassle of drilling new holes instead of just returning the piece.

John

C7 Spoiler Installation - Round 2
 

I had been asked to show some more photos of the C7 spoiler if I had a reason to remove it. I finally got around to removing the spoiler for the purpose of mounting the 3rd Brake Light more permanently and better, as well as to get a better fit and try to resolve my middle fitment issues.

I started off taking the unit all the way off revealing the 4 factory mounting holes (from the original spoiler) and the two outer holes that I had previously drilled to accommodate the outer (optional) studs on the C7 ZR1 Carbon Fiber Spoiler.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10503725/Sp...001%20Prep.jpg

With the spoiler back on the bench, I properly mounted the 3rd brake light taking care to get the best fit possible in the rear opening of the spoiler. Then I attached the light with the provided washers and nuts. I used a spare washer below one side to get a better fit for the light in the slot.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10503725/Sp...s%20bottom.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10503725/Sp...203rd%20BL.jpg

I was able to get the light to fit pretty nicely into the slot in the spoiler. One of the things I like about the C7 unit is the thin strip below the 3rd brake light isn't 'too thin' like a couple of other units I tried.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10503725/Sp...0installed.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10503725/Sp...rd%20Light.jpg

It's worth noting, that I actually widened up the two outer holes before putting the spoiler back on to allow for some extra side-to-side play as I was tighening it down.. (room for the outer studs to move left-to-right if required).

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10503725/Sp...de%20Holes.jpg

Somebody (before me) had hacked up one of the center (factory) holes before I ever took off my stock unit. This is one of the reasons I decided to use larger shoulder washers below the smaller washer supplied with the unit.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10503725/Sp...er%20Holes.jpg

After I got the unit back in place, I was able to tighten up the four mounting screws (two center studs that come through from the unit/3rd brake light and two outer bolts that mount from inside the bumper into the threaded holes at the outside of the unit). The fit is actually quite good now. With the added purchase of the larger washer, I was able to tighten the center studs down tight enough to pull the unit completely into place. These photos show the final fitment.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10503725/Sp...ass%20Rear.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10503725/Sp...riv%20Rear.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10503725/Sp...20Complete.jpg

The fit is totally tight along then entire rear facing edge. The 3rd brake light fits snug into the slot in the rear of the spoiler.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10503725/Sp...20Complete.jpg

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10503725/Sp...20Complete.jpg

There is only one spot, at the very end of the outer edge on the forward facing edge that has any slop.. I can push it down about 1/8" on the front edge, but it really looks pretty nice.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10503725/Sp...20Complete.jpg

My previous issues were not being able to get the forward edge that faces the rear window to sit tight into the bumper opening. Now it fits quite nicely all the way across until you get to the very end. I can live with it the way it is, and I'm actually quite happy with the end result.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/10503725/Sp...20Complete.jpg

Overall, the ZR1 Style (real) Carbon Fiber spoiler from C7 Carbon is a bargain, and the finish and materials are totally high quality. Yes, it could have more mounting studs, but I gotta tell you that drilling the holes in your bumper is pretty nerve-racking. If I had to drill more I would have had even more anxiety.. After two fitting session, I am happy with the results and I'll be proud to show off this unit to all my vetter buddies...

Bump as there were some looking for clarification on the C7 ZR1 spoiler.. These photos and write should answer all the questions and remove any confusion...

I like it!!! :thumbs:

I would put a small piece of 3m tape at that end to hold it down.:thumbs: After it sits in the sun awhile the spoiler will get a little more flexible.

I have had the same problem with the aftermarket ZR1 rear spoiler on my 2011 GS coupe ... The area of the spoiler just under the 3rd brake light in the center of the spoiler is just too thin.

This thin area will in fact warp and look like crap over time.

You will also start seeing dimples in the top surface of the spoiler over time too on the "other" aftermarket spoiler.

Both these problems are unacceptable!

I really like the fact that the material directly below the center brake light appears to be much thicker (stronger) on the American Hydrocarbon spoiler pictured below.

Looks nice!
_____________________________


This is much better >

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p...Spoiler202.jpg

Wow that looks bad @$$. Great photos. Gonna add this item to the top of my list. Love the look of the CF. Glad to see the install went well. Thanks for posting photos, and it's great to see the vender involved with this post. Will definitely consider for upgrade this spring on the Z-oh.

hello how long did the spoiler take to arrive? i just ordered one from c7 carbons site

Man, THAT LOOKS GREAT! I have been looking at getting a paint matched one but the more I see the more I really like the carbon fiber look for them. This one looks really nice. Thanks for all of the pics and installation details.

:rock::rock::rock:

The brake light need to be installed in the spoiler first. If you need help getting the brake light to sit better call me.:thumbs:
813-476-5638

whats c7carbon's user name on this forum? wanna see if they have posted a black friday sale on their products

Oddly enough, it's C7 Carbon!


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...64a39f43df.gif


http://www.c7carbon.com/