OEM GFX vs. splash guards

stevstevd · 03-06-2017, 06:35 AM

First, without either of these, how much trouble am I looking at driving year round but avoiding the completely terrible snow days. Do rocks really fly up bad on this car?

Second, will the full gfx provide just as much protection, more, less, than the OEM body colored splah guards.

I like the looks of the gfx. I do not have NPP, and there is only 1 pic floating on this board of the rear diffuser on the OEM GFX. The thread received quite a bit of hate for the chrome surrounding the tail pipes. I'm not sure how terrible it really looks. It looks not too different than the gen5 gfx...

If just as much protection though, perhaps 200$ is better than ~3000 after tax. Decisions....

Thoughts?

HyperBlue16 · 03-06-2017, 07:56 AM

i'm currently installing this kit and replacing my body color splash guards, but some parts for the muffler are missing(the exhaust rings missing, have to cut down the chrome tip and replace with black rings for this kit), once i get them i can install the rear section and post pics and comparison of the splash guards before hand. Or would you like to see pics of the uninstalled rear? I can post them later tonight.
I'm not overly fond of the chrome either, but will see what happens and if need to, wrap them black chrome. It's just GM basically using the rear for a npp system and making these integrate metal/chrome tips for the non-npp.
As for the side rockers, i would basically say i think you get the same coverage on the front as an OEM splash guard, thou guessing the part near the underside would take some of the blasting.

stevstevd · 03-06-2017, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HyperBlue16

i'm currently installing this kit and replacing my body color splash guards, but some parts for the muffler are missing(the exhaust rings missing, have to cut down the chrome tip and replace with black rings for this kit), once i get them i can install the rear section and post pics and comparison of the splash guards before hand. Or would you like to see pics of the uninstalled rear? I can post them later tonight.
I'm not overly fond of the chrome either, but will see what happens and if need to, wrap them black chrome. It's just GM basically using the rear for a npp system and making these integrate metal/chrome tips for the non-npp.
As for the side rockers, i would basically say i think you get the same coverage on the front as an OEM splash guard, thou guessing the part near the underside would take some of the blasting.

I would definitely not be doing the install myself, so no real need to see pics uninstalled rear. I just picked up my car, but now need to decide if I need splash guard at all, and if so, maybe gfx as an alternative.

Would order from GM and have them install. Just trying to think of overall protection from both setups. Obviously GFX more expensive and the purpose is for looks, but if it offers same or better protection then maybe the kit is the way to go.

If the dealer orders the kit and does the install, I assume it is going to look like the pic I posted?

Sledgehammer70 · 03-06-2017, 02:24 PM

My GFX kit provided good protection with stock wheels. But once I went wider... yeah, not much help.

thundercrakcer · 03-06-2017, 02:39 PM

I can chime in on the OEM splash guards as I have them, I find they work really well and haven't noticed any sign of rock chippings or marks on the panels anywhere.

If you are using the stock tires there'll be rocks being spit out all the time, mostly the smaller ones that cause the pitting, you won't want that.

HyperBlue16 · 03-06-2017, 07:43 PM

Well now that i'm home and had time to comparing the 2,
The fronts, the splash guard has a little more protection above the GFX kit, but from the GFX and below about the same coverage.

The Rears. The splash guard has a little more coverage below, but the GFX kit has about the same for the top 2/3

Also, that chrome piece looks like it can be removed from the rear, in case maybe to powder coat it.

stevstevd · 03-07-2017, 06:08 AM

Thanks everyone! It really sounds like I'll need something ASAP. In my subdivision, they often put down the tiny rocks mixed with salt in the winter. Less so throughout the city on the highways etc, but whenever I pull in to my streets, its like going through a mine field.

Winter is coming to an end at least. I'm starting to think the splash guards may be better, although only marginally, I may just go for the gfx for looks as I will most likely keep stock wheels.

03-06-2017, 06:35 AM	#1
stevstevd Drives: MBM 2016 2LT RS Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 98	OEM GFX vs. splash guards First, without either of these, how much trouble am I looking at driving year round but avoiding the completely terrible snow days. Do rocks really fly up bad on this car? Second, will the full gfx provide just as much protection, more, less, than the OEM body colored splah guards. I like the looks of the gfx. I do not have NPP, and there is only 1 pic floating on this board of the rear diffuser on the OEM GFX. The thread received quite a bit of hate for the chrome surrounding the tail pipes. I'm not sure how terrible it really looks. It looks not too different than the gen5 gfx... If just as much protection though, perhaps 200$ is better than ~3000 after tax. Decisions.... Thoughts? Attached Images

03-06-2017, 07:56 AM	#2
HyperBlue16 Drives: 2016 Camaro RS Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 273 View My Garage	i'm currently installing this kit and replacing my body color splash guards, but some parts for the muffler are missing(the exhaust rings missing, have to cut down the chrome tip and replace with black rings for this kit), once i get them i can install the rear section and post pics and comparison of the splash guards before hand. Or would you like to see pics of the uninstalled rear? I can post them later tonight. I'm not overly fond of the chrome either, but will see what happens and if need to, wrap them black chrome. It's just GM basically using the rear for a npp system and making these integrate metal/chrome tips for the non-npp. As for the side rockers, i would basically say i think you get the same coverage on the front as an OEM splash guard, thou guessing the part near the underside would take some of the blasting. Last edited by HyperBlue16; 03-06-2017 at 08:29 AM.

03-06-2017, 02:24 PM	#4
Sledgehammer70 Lethal Camaro Drives: 16 2SS, 71 Std, Suburban RTS Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 3,855 View My Garage	My GFX kit provided good protection with stock wheels. But once I went wider... yeah, not much help. __________________ Thanks My Build Thread \| Lethal Garage YouTube \| Lethal Camaro IG \|

03-06-2017, 02:39 PM	#5
thundercrakcer Drives: Summit White 2SS, M6 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Vancouver area Posts: 94	I can chime in on the OEM splash guards as I have them, I find they work really well and haven't noticed any sign of rock chippings or marks on the panels anywhere. If you are using the stock tires there'll be rocks being spit out all the time, mostly the smaller ones that cause the pitting, you won't want that. __________________

03-06-2017, 07:43 PM	#6
HyperBlue16 Drives: 2016 Camaro RS Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 273 View My Garage	Well now that i'm home and had time to comparing the 2, The fronts, the splash guard has a little more protection above the GFX kit, but from the GFX and below about the same coverage. The Rears. The splash guard has a little more coverage below, but the GFX kit has about the same for the top 2/3 Also, that chrome piece looks like it can be removed from the rear, in case maybe to powder coat it. Last edited by HyperBlue16; 03-06-2017 at 09:45 PM.

03-07-2017, 06:08 AM	#7
stevstevd Drives: MBM 2016 2LT RS Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 98	Thanks everyone! It really sounds like I'll need something ASAP. In my subdivision, they often put down the tiny rocks mixed with salt in the winter. Less so throughout the city on the highways etc, but whenever I pull in to my streets, its like going through a mine field. Winter is coming to an end at least. I'm starting to think the splash guards may be better, although only marginally, I may just go for the gfx for looks as I will most likely keep stock wheels.

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