How to install Stage 2 splitter where Stage 1 was
#1
Safety Car
Thread Starter
How to install Stage 2 splitter where Stage 1 was
I'm going from a Stage 1 splitter to a Stage 2.
Do I have to have that big tray looking piece to install a Stage 2 splitter?
My Stage 1 splitter just attaches to the underside of the front bumper cover with a few bolts and some rivets.
Can the stage 2 attach the same as the Stage 1 without any other parts like that large plastic tray that fits under the whole front bumper area? My Stage 1 does not have that piece.
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Do I have to have that big tray looking piece to install a Stage 2 splitter?
My Stage 1 splitter just attaches to the underside of the front bumper cover with a few bolts and some rivets.
Can the stage 2 attach the same as the Stage 1 without any other parts like that large plastic tray that fits under the whole front bumper area? My Stage 1 does not have that piece.
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#3
Burning Brakes
I got the C7Carbon Stage 2 and the under-tray is optional.
https://www.c7carbon.com/2014-c7-cor...on-flash-p-593
I added the under-tray and got it from a local dealer that gave me a good price (shipping is pricey).
https://www.gmpartsdirect.co/oem-parts/gm-deflector-23163400/?c=aT1DRjE0MDEyNSZyPWxheWVyXzY%3D
p.s. - The under-tray does not include mounting screws.
https://www.c7carbon.com/2014-c7-cor...on-flash-p-593
I added the under-tray and got it from a local dealer that gave me a good price (shipping is pricey).
https://www.gmpartsdirect.co/oem-parts/gm-deflector-23163400/?c=aT1DRjE0MDEyNSZyPWxheWVyXzY%3D
p.s. - The under-tray does not include mounting screws.
Last edited by L82Brake; 11-16-2018 at 08:23 PM. Reason: added ps
#4
Tech Contributor
I got the C7Carbon Stage 2 and the under-tray is optional.
https://www.c7carbon.com/2014-c7-cor...on-flash-p-593
I added the under-tray and got it from a local dealer that gave me a good price (shipping is pricey).
https://www.gmpartsdirect.co/oem-parts/gm-deflector-23163400/?c=aT1DRjE0MDEyNSZyPWxheWVyXzY%3D
p.s. - The under-tray does not include mounting screws.
https://www.c7carbon.com/2014-c7-cor...on-flash-p-593
I added the under-tray and got it from a local dealer that gave me a good price (shipping is pricey).
https://www.gmpartsdirect.co/oem-parts/gm-deflector-23163400/?c=aT1DRjE0MDEyNSZyPWxheWVyXzY%3D
p.s. - The under-tray does not include mounting screws.
What was not included with my C7Carbon Stage 2 splitter were the associated u-nuts that go on the splitter for the undertray to attach to it. I bought a box of 25 GM M4.2-1.41 (#8) Extruded U Type Nuts (GM p/n 11515638) as well as a box of 25 Bumper Fascia & General Purpose Split-Type Rivets (GM p/n 11516807) from "Clips and Fasteners . com" . Total cost for those was ~$30 delivered. Dealers sell the Exact same pieces for several dollars each. Basically ClipsandFasteners is selling direct from the manufacturer of these items vs GM and the dealers which mark them up....although they do neatly bag them separately vs getting a box full.
If you're installing the splitter for cosmetics, it bolts on in place of the Stage 1 splitter.
- The Stage 1 splitter takes 10 minutes to remove and 5 of those minutes are drilling out the 10 rivets
- Once the splitter is removed, be sure to clear out the remnants of the rivets that are sitting on the topside of the fascia out of sight. Just pull the fascia edge down and sweep them out with your fingers
- Next remove the center air dam (5 bolts as I recall) and the 2 air dam end pieces (3 bolts each). Also remove the lower 2 bolts that secure each fender spat to the fascia using a T15 torx bit. It just makes life easier when installing the Stage 2 splitter.
- Use the Stage 1 bolts to loosely attach the Stage 2 splitter to the fascia. Once you have the new splitter aligned to your satisfaction (including side to side), tighten the bolts, double check the alignment, and then install the new rivets (3/16" shank). I had a couple rivet holes on the splitter that didn't line up with the Stage 1 holes so I drilled new ones. Not a big deal, just use a stop or some tape on the drill bit so you don't go nuts and drill something you don't want to.
- Install the Stage 2 splitter end caps (aka winglets)
If you're only doing the install for cosmetics, reinstall the fender spat bolts and the 2 air dam end pieces and you're done.
If you plan to track the car, you'll want to install the Stage 2/3 undertray. To install it, hold off on the fender spat bolts and the air dam end pieces
- The Stage 2/3 undertray fits over the Stage 1 deflector so don't remove it completely
- Remove the five (going from memory) 10mm bolts that secure the back edge of the Stage 1 deflector to the cross member
- Install the u-nuts on the Stage 2 splitter. I HIGHLY recommend you slot the holes and radius the back edge of the splitter so you can move the u-nuts and therefore the undertray around for alignment purposes. I think the holes drilled by C7Carbon are really just close approximations. Several of mine were so far forward that the u-nuts weren't long enough...hence the need to take a little material off the back edge...and they all needed to be slotted. A Dremel tool makes short work of this and it's not nearly as bad as it sounds.
- With the u-nuts in place, I loosely attached the rear edge of the undertray to the cross-member using the five bolts I removed earlier
- With the rear edge attached, you can start working on the bolts along the forward edge. Start from the middle and work out to the edges
- Get everything lined up and then tighten the bolts
- Install the 2 air dam pieces and then the bolts for the fender spats
You're done
We live in a condo but I have a shop I where I can use a lift. This was easy enough to do it with the front wheels on a few lengths of 2"x12" wood at the condo
Last edited by 96GS#007; 11-17-2018 at 09:33 AM.
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tomtoro (12-03-2018)
#5
Drifting
What is the main purpose of the undertray? Is it for more support and strength of the splitter during track driving? Or does it support functionality of the splitter during track driving? Or both? I know this is probably a stupid question that I should know the answer to but I am not into racing at all and need the definition of the 3 stages of these splitters that are offered for the Corvette explained to me? I know what each looks like and I just ordered the stage two for my C7, however once I have it bolted on my car and someone askes me what does the stage 2 mean I want to be able to explain.
#6
Tech Contributor
What is the main purpose of the undertray? Is it for more support and strength of the splitter during track driving? Or does it support functionality of the splitter during track driving? Or both? I know this is probably a stupid question that I should know the answer to but I am not into racing at all and need the definition of the 3 stages of these splitters that are offered for the Corvette explained to me? I know what each looks like and I just ordered the stage two for my C7, however once I have it bolted on my car and someone askes me what does the stage 2 mean I want to be able to explain.
Stage 3 adds larger end caps for more downforce and is designed for use with the Z07 package. On the Z06, Stage 3 also adds the clear center piece to the rear spoiler. It provides more rear downforce at the expense of top speed. The GS Z07 Stage 3 package doesn’t get the clear center piece.
Plenty of more detailed descriptions as well as photos available via Google.
The following users liked this post:
tomtoro (12-03-2018)
#7
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Can I simply remove a Stage 1 and install a Stage 2 in its place without using the undertray? Just a simple swap from one to the other?
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#9
Drifting
My 2019 Z06 has the stage 1. Where are you guys purchasing the stage 2 from? I like the C7 Carbon ones. But there are a few nice ones out there. I plan on changing mine out also. Any info would be great. Thanks.
#10
Instructor
I have a white GS vert and I wanted to match the carbon flash black paint that the rest of the accents had on the car and I liked a more aggressive look for the front splitter but the oem stage 1 was flat black (my opinion GM cheaped out on that one). I purchased my stage 2 from ACS composites and it was one piece with the under tray attached. I don't track the car but I sure like the look for the street and the under tray adds some rigidity to the front splitter. I also purchashed the ACS stage 2 winglets, also an easy install with excellent quality
96gs#007 gave a good description of the install with the two piece under tray and it's even easier as one piece. ACS supplies the extra rivets and it bolted right up using existing holes and bolts. I think I drilled two additional rivets for the side tire air dams..
96gs#007 gave a good description of the install with the two piece under tray and it's even easier as one piece. ACS supplies the extra rivets and it bolted right up using existing holes and bolts. I think I drilled two additional rivets for the side tire air dams..
#11
Drifting
I have a white GS vert and I wanted to match the carbon flash black paint that the rest of the accents had on the car and I liked a more aggressive look for the front splitter but the oem stage 1 was flat black (my opinion GM cheaped out on that one). I purchased my stage 2 from ACS composites and it was one piece with the under tray attached. I don't track the car but I sure like the look for the street and the under tray adds some rigidity to the front splitter. I also purchashed the ACS stage 2 winglets, also an easy install with excellent quality
96gs#007 gave a good description of the install with the two piece under tray and it's even easier as one piece. ACS supplies the extra rivets and it bolted right up using existing holes and bolts. I think I drilled two additional rivets for the side tire air dams..
96gs#007 gave a good description of the install with the two piece under tray and it's even easier as one piece. ACS supplies the extra rivets and it bolted right up using existing holes and bolts. I think I drilled two additional rivets for the side tire air dams..
#13
Racer
I have a C7 Carbon stage 2. I am happy with it, Their customer service has been very good, too. As the others have said the under tray is not required
Last edited by Harris; 12-03-2018 at 09:18 AM.
#14
Safety Car
Thread Starter
I ran across a used Stage 2 front splitter, but the seller does not have the undertray, he only has the splitter. Can I just remove my Stage 1 splitter and replace it with the Stage 2 with no undertray?
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