fender flares

mike t · 09-09-04, 09:48 AM

Just put big 315 tires on my LT1, they are the GS offset and do not seem to stick out. But sombody said that in PA they might not pass and the local state trooper might ticket them. I am just not up to ripping apart the rear fenders and bonding in these flares, if indeed they are necessery. Is there a flare made that can be attached with just adhesive backing. This would save a lot of work and the car could be returned to its original state with little effort. Just a thought thank you.

BarryK · 09-09-04, 09:58 AM

I don't know MA laws, but if they do not extend outside the fenders I can't see how they wouldn't pass inspection.
I know other states won't pass cars if the tires stick out further than the fenders (I believe the resoning is safety related so stones, etc won't get thrown back into other vehicles behind you) but again if your tires don't stick out pass the fenders I can't see any problems.

Tuna · 09-09-04, 10:21 AM

The factory GS fender flares are attached with double sided tape. That is the way I attached them to my car - actually the body shop that painted them did it that way - and they have been there for almost 3 years now.

If your car is not registered in PA, I don't see why you'd need to worry about it.

mike t · 09-09-04, 11:12 AM

That is true but how would I be able to get the factory Flares, from GM? For me to use Flares that would be the way to go. Thank you very much for the information. I must say that when I look at the back of the corvette I cannot believe the amount of rubber sitting there. In a few days I am driving from Boston to Hilton Head SC for a meeting. I cannot wait to run this corvette.

Moonunit 451 · 09-09-04, 11:48 AM

You're gonna LOVE the 315's

What tires did you go with, and are you running the 275's up front? Oh yea, get out the big wallet for those flares, close to $400 naked!

mike t · 09-09-04, 02:20 PM

Yes 275/40/17 upfront, never had so much rubber on on the road all at once. I thought the tires on my 95 VR4 were big but this is something else. The car rides fine and handles with no problem. When I get out and look at the things looks like I should be on a drag strip, not some little local road. If I could just my hands on some stickon flares would feel good.

Moonunit 451 · 09-11-04, 01:08 AM

Lived in WorCester for a summer, WHOA! Forget about the drags, your on a road trip! (Although I agree initially about the looks). The rails are incredible

What tires man? Pay ATTENTION

mike t · 09-12-04, 02:22 AM

picked up rims and tires on ebay, took a chance but seem ok. Rims I believe are AFS. ZR1 style rims chrome. tires Sumitomo HTRZ 315/35/17 R and 255/40/17 F. Not my first choice for tires but that was the package. I will replace these when the time comes with Goodyear F1 GS-D3. I have this tire on an Audi and it wears well and is fantastic in rain. I have a few hundred miles on the Sumitomo tires and they ride better than the old Eagle GS-C which were harsh and because they were somewhat worn did not trust them in the wet. Anyway lets see what the Sumitomo is like after a few thousand miles. Right now I am happy with this setup and the C4 looks great with the ZR1 chrome rims. Next are the disks and calipers. Just had all the fluids changed by GM, could do this myself but no time right now. Would like to change the diff. oil with NEO synthetic. GM mechanic wanted to dismantal the rearend to change the oil, I suppose they cannot just suck out the old oil and put in new stuff. The C4 has 51,000 miles and runs like a dream.

Moonunit 451 · 09-12-04, 11:27 AM

[quote=mike t]picked up rims and tires on ebay, took a chance but seem ok. Rims I believe are AFS. ZR1 style rims chrome. tires Sumitomo HTRZ 315/35/17 R and 255/40/17 F. Not my first choice for tires but that was the package. I will replace these when the time comes with Goodyear F1 GS-D3. I have this tire on an Audi and it wears well and is fantastic in rain. I have a few hundred miles on the Sumitomo tires and they ride better than the old Eagle GS-C which were harsh and because they were somewhat worn did not trust them in the wet. Anyway lets see what the Sumitomo is like after a few thousand miles. Right now I am happy with this setup and the C4 looks great with the ZR1 chrome rims. Next are the disks and calipers. Just had all the fluids changed by GM, could do this myself but no time right now. Would like to change the diff. oil with NEO synthetic. GM mechanic wanted to dismantal the rearend to change the oil, I suppose they cannot just suck out the old oil and put in new stuff. The C4 has 51,000 miles and runs like a dream.[/QUOUTE]

I've got the F1 GS D3's, Love em. Let us know how you like the Sumitomo's after you get some time on them. There aren't a lot of choices for 315's.

I think you can suck the fluid out of the rear end. There are several devices available that will do it. I just jacked the car way up from one side and went under there with a 60 ml syringe and a piece of suction tubing and got almost all of it out. (Know anyone in the medical field?

).

I replaced with Red Line, but I think the generally say that ?Royal Purple is the very best.

Also, lots of peaple install a drain plug on their diffs. You might find a procedure if you do a search.

mike t · 09-12-04, 08:21 PM

The diff needs an oil change not many times in a cars life, I would go the suck route. Just feel better knowing I have a really good synthetic diff oil working. Check out NEO, used in racing cars, and runs cool. Good write ups. Used this oil in my VR4 and it did seem to reduce come rear end vibration.