• Got the Contributing Memberships stuff finally worked out and made up a thread as a sort of "How-To" to help people figure out how to participate. So if you need help figuring it out, here's the thread you need to take a look at -> http://www.corvetteflorida.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3581 Thank you, everyone! Rich Z.

Front license plate screen

I actually found a place that is selling bumper fascias for the C5 that are somewhat similar to the C6 styling. But looks a little too "boxy" looking to me..

http://corvettecreationz.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=20_26&product_id=89

This same place has a Tiger Shark style from bumper fascia, but so far they haven't responded with who the manufacturer is.

http://corvettecreationz.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&path=20_26&product_id=82

I also asked them if they have any reviews from users of this product so I can see if there are any complaints about fitment issues.

Sigh.... Sure would have been a LOT easier if that front license plate panel had worked out.

Speaking of which, I STILL haven't gotten that return tag I was told I would be getting.
 
I just saw those C6 styles on a site the other day. I'd want to see one in person first if possible (or at least more photos to see it with the entire car), as I too agree the front is too boxy for the C5. Great idea, but poor execution in my opinion. If the front would have round down to the opening instead of just flat, it'd looked 100% better to me...and not look like they were just trying to straight copy the C6.
 
Got the return UPS label today, and luckily I had a delivery from UPS, so I just handed off the box going to American Hydrocarbon to the driver.

Apparently they did get in the correct screen for the panel to match the mesh on my Z06, but they didn't have anything that could cut the thicker wire and had to order the thinner mesh shown in that second panel I received.

And I have been informed that I am the ONLY person who has ever complained about the screen not matching. Seriously, I'm not sure if that says something uncomplimentary about me or all the other people who have purchased this screened panel........ :shrug01: My impression is that the screen shown on the first panel I got is standard for what they use building those things.

So no one else EVER noticed this?
license_screen_01.jpg
 
At first it didn't bother me, but then that top right corner starts waving, "hey I'm at a weird angle." I bet in person it's MUCH more obvious. I'm very surprised more people didn't complain about it.
 
OK, I returned the license plate panel and got the refund processed. So at least they handled this aspect of it all with aplomb and professionalism.

So now when I go to Corvette shows I'm going to be looking for these screened panels to see what they look like on other people's cars. Thing is, do I REALLY want to point it out to them if the mesh is not correct? :poke: Probably won't earn me any friends doing that....

So, I'm right back where I started early in December.

Never heard anything back from Corvette Creationz about who the manufacturer is of their Tiger Shark bumper fascia, so I guess they aren't interested in selling me one. Maybe I can just fabricate some sort of funnel to direct the air coming in from the two vents on the front at either side of the front license panel towards the center of the intercooler. :shrug01:

Anyone know how much trouble it is to take off that front bumper fascia? And then how much trouble it is to put it back on and have it line up again?
 
Hey Rich, Antivenom is a reseller for Starcraft Distribution; the manufacture of the TigerShark Bumper, Splitter and Hood.
 
Curacao said:
Hey Rich, Antivenom is a reseller for Starcraft Distribution; the manufacture of the TigerShark Bumper, Splitter and Hood.
Click to expand...

That is good to know, but unless Greg has one stashed away in the shop somewhere, a "national back order" likely means that he can't get the bumper neither. But I'll drop him a line and ask.

Thanks!
 
I should be seeing John at AutoXTC later this week, I can ask about his custom license plate screens if you want. Or you can get a hold of Brad at 727.577.1294 to see if they still offer them. I'll look through my photos tonight to see if I can find one he's done for a C5. I'm pretty sure he can get the mesh that matches the ZO6 mesh.
 
Well I contacted Starcraft about their tiger shark bumper fascia and they pretty much just blew me off saying they aren't making them and don't know when or if they will again. :shrug01:

So yeah, that's the ticket, right when nearly all the C5s are out of even the extended warranties, and some needing new paint jobs for at least the rock chips on the front bumper, and lots of people may be thinking about modding their cars, NOW is the time to stop making a product that seems to have been in demand enough for them to SELL OUT of them. :rolleyes:
 
Welcome to the C4 world. It'll now be all about the C6 and C7 for aftermarket parts, the rest of us get thrown to the way side.
 
shakedown067 said:
Welcome to the C4 world. It'll now be all about the C6 and C7 for aftermarket parts, the rest of us get thrown to the way side.
Click to expand...

Too true. I experienced it with the C4 I used to own, and am now hearing it with the C5. They focus on the newest model and the one previous to it.
 
I guess I just don't understand the logic too much. I would think that cars out of the factory warranty and extended warranties would be much more likely to be candidates for mods than cars fresh off the showroom floor. But maybe it's just my own perspective coloring my thoughts about mods lately.

I did get a reply back from Starcraft and they are claiming that the problem is with their supplier for those bumpers. They can't get an ETA from them for the product. So I guess they've got too much business on their hands... :shrug01:
 
It's all about the money. Typically for the most part, the guys that have the money to spend on their car usually have the latest model or next to latest model (no warranty, time to mod guys)...then the rest of us are usually trying to keep it running first, mods second. For instance, I've seen quite a few people over the past 4-5 years try to come out with new parts for the C4 to have sales just tank after their first or second large orders. Before the C6 came out, there were actually quite a few cool parts you could get for the C4, like nice racing stuff, that haven't been available for years now. Looks like its already starting for the C5 crowd.
 
I believe it is purely just supply and demand. If the demand is there, then suppliers will continue to produce. But once the demand falls off to the point that they have inventory on their (and their retailers) shelves, then someone has to make a decision whether this is a profitable product any longer. I think it is just that simple.

Just my opinion!

Rich
 
Well, I went with PLAN B on this. Found a used Tiger Shark front bumper on Ebay that is claimed to be in good shape. Some guy bought a car with it and took it off to convert his car to a race car. Not sure why he didn't just leave it on. But at least I presume the bumper has already been fitted to a C5, so all the fitting has already been done to it. And it comes with the lower spoiler, which is normally an optional add-on. He doesn't know the manufacturer or anything about it, so yeah, it's somewhat of a gamble. But I didn't have very many other options available if I want to get one of these things.

tiger_shark_01.jpg


tiger_shark_02.jpg


tiger_shark_03.jpg


I think it is fortunate that he didn't know it was an aftermarket highly sought after body panel, because had he used "Tiger Shark" in the title, bidding might have gone way higher than I was willing to pay for it. Apparently there are a LOT of people looking for these things. The only way I found it was because I was actually just browsing through ALL of the "C5 Corvette" parts and accessories section and absolutely just stumbled upon it.

It's painted black, obviously, so I will have to strip the paint when it comes time to mount it and have the car repainted. Hopefully this won't prove to be yet another real bad idea.
 
I would leave the paint alone on it and leave it up to whoever does the paint.

you can EASILY do more damage than good removing good solid paint from a urethane / fiberglass / carbon fiber bumper.

if the paint is in good condition, the painter will likely block sand to check for flatness, primer (since it is going for a complete color change) then wet sand it and paint over with base coat / clear coat.
Like with the body of the car, if there are any minor dents / dings they will use filler and sand it flat, prime the area, wet sand the entire car and base coat and clear coat.

if you take it down to the bare material, the painter will have to seal it, then primer, block sand, use filler in the low spots, block sand, re-prime, block sand, wet sand, base coat, clear coat.

so in my opinion I'd leave it alone until the painter decides what is best.
 
Benjamin said:
I would leave the paint alone on it and leave it up to whoever does the paint.

you can EASILY do more damage than good removing good solid paint from a urethane / fiberglass / carbon fiber bumper.

if the paint is in good condition, the painter will likely block sand to check for flatness, primer (since it is going for a complete color change) then wet sand it and paint over with base coat / clear coat.
Like with the body of the car, if there are any minor dents / dings they will use filler and sand it flat, prime the area, wet sand the entire car and base coat and clear coat.

if you take it down to the bare material, the painter will have to seal it, then primer, block sand, use filler in the low spots, block sand, re-prime, block sand, wet sand, base coat, clear coat.

so in my opinion I'd leave it alone until the painter decides what is best.
Click to expand...

Yeah, sometimes I just need to leave things to the experts, I suppose. It's not like I could just take it down to the metal and not worry about removing material I WANT to keep there. I've read about people using a razor to remove paint, and of course chemical removal. But both sound rather tedious and with some drawbacks.

Speaking of which, who around this area does good work in this department?
 
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