[Snake_Eyes]

Originally Posted by Camaro Fanatic

Happy you found a set up for a good price!

Unfortunately, the splitter is glued on (also bolted) and a bit of a pain to remove.

There are threads on removing it though. Not sure if anyone has found a "quick" release solution by possibly removing all the adhesive to make it strictly bolt on (with maybe some padding so the plastic isn't rubbing on the paint.

Haven't committed yet but they're in the cart while I keep asking questions. Thanks for the info on the splitter, that's what I was afraid of. It'll probably be fine over the winter but having it off would make me feel better. I'll poke around when I'm swapping tires and see how securely it's mounted with adhesive.

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by Snake_Eyes

Edit: Msqured, I found these on eBay and are exactly what you mentioned in your first post https://www.ebay.com/itm/167550873139, since I haven't pulled the trigger on anything, yet I am thinking of picking those up and getting Michelin X-Ice 245/50/18's, thoughts?

Those are the exact wheels I use, except mine are silver. They certainly work, with the small caveat about maybe needing to trim or remove the front brake duct deflectors. That's the right size tire to use. I have no experience with those particular tires. Read the reviews on Tire Rack as well as this test on Tyre Reviews. A perusal of those indicates they are great on ice and snow and slow but tame on rainy and dry roads.

[Snake_Eyes]

Originally Posted by Msquared

Those are the exact wheels I use, except mine are silver. They certainly work, with the small caveat about maybe needing to trim or remove the front brake duct deflectors. That's the right size tire to use. I have no experience with those particular tires. Read the reviews on Tire Rack as well as this test on Tyre Reviews. A perusal of those indicates they are great on ice and snow and slow but tame on rainy and dry roads.

Right on! Rims ordered from eBay, hard to beat $113/rim with new powder. I'll put the tires off till I need them in a month or 2.

Thanks again to all for the help!

[TransamGTA350]

You'll be OK with the dedicated wheels/winter tires. Just will need to be careful with the front splitter and overall ground clearance. 2-3 inches of fresh snow, or packed down snow will be fine. Be careful of plow windrows in the intersections and driveway entrances. That will get you stuck, and/or damage the front splitter.

I've never driven my 6th gen Camaro in the snow, but I drove 2 different 3rd gens through many New England winters without any issue. A rwd sports car in the snow is a lot of fun!

[Snake_Eyes]

Originally Posted by TransamGTA350

You'll be OK with the dedicated wheels/winter tires. Just will need to be careful with the front splitter and overall ground clearance. 2-3 inches of fresh snow, or packed down snow will be fine. Be careful of plow windrows in the intersections and driveway entrances. That will get you stuck, and/or damage the front splitter.

I've never driven my 6th gen Camaro in the snow, but I drove 2 different 3rd gens through many New England winters without any issue. A rwd sports car in the snow is a lot of fun!

I appreciate the info! I just looked up how to remove the front splitter, thinking I could just uninstall over the winter, well that ain't going to happen.

[2018 Blue 1LE]

Originally Posted by TransamGTA350

You'll be OK with the dedicated wheels/winter tires. Just will need to be careful with the front splitter and overall ground clearance. 2-3 inches of fresh snow, or packed down snow will be fine. Be careful of plow windrows in the intersections and driveway entrances. That will get you stuck, and/or damage the front splitter.

I've never driven my 6th gen Camaro in the snow, but I drove 2 different 3rd gens through many New England winters without any issue. A rwd sports car in the snow is a lot of fun!

[Snake_Eyes]

Quick follow up and a couple of questions.

Finally, had the chance to test fit the rims and as stated all looks good clearance wise.

Couple of questions though, is this the brake duct that several of you mentioned needing to be trimmed/removed (second pic)? I'd prefer to just remove it, does anyone know if that's a PITA job? Also, what are you guys using to clean up your Brembo calipers? After just a few hundred miles mine are looking pretty rough.

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by Snake_Eyes

Couple of questions though, is this the brake duct that several of you mentioned needing to be trimmed/removed (second pic)? I'd prefer to just remove it, does anyone know if that's a PITA job?

[JediVoice]That isn't the duct you're looking for.[/JediVoice] It's the plastic deflector (probably a better term) that's actually screwed to the lower control arm with three small (7mm or 8mm hex, I forget) screws, just to the left and roughly in line with the yellow arrow in your pic. The part of that deflector that juts out forward and already has a cutout for a wheel/tire is where your snow setup might touch at full steering lock. You can easily remove this deflector on each side: unscrew those three screws and you'll also need to remove the single plastic rivet fastener that holds the ABS wire to the top of the deflector.

Also, what are you guys using to clean up your Brembo calipers? After just a few hundred miles mine are looking pretty rough.

Stock pads are really dusty, but they perform great for street and autocross and mild track or twisty back roads. I use the same thing I use to clean my wheels. It's exact same situation: painted aluminum with lots of brake dust and some other grime. Just be sure to drive your car around the block afterward, or you may find your stock semi-metallic pads rusted to the iron rotor.

[Snake_Eyes]

Originally Posted by Msquared

[JediVoice]That isn't the duct you're looking for.[/JediVoice] It's the plastic deflector (probably a better term) that's actually screwed to the lower control arm with three small (7mm or 8mm hex, I forget) screws, just to the left and roughly in line with the yellow arrow in your pic. The part of that deflector that juts out forward and already has a cutout for a wheel/tire is where your snow setup might touch at full steering lock. You can easily remove this deflector on each side: unscrew those three screws and you'll also need to remove the single plastic rivet fastener that holds the ABS wire to the top of the deflector.


Stock pads are really dusty, but they perform great for street and autocross and mild track or twisty back roads. I use the same thing I use to clean my wheels. It's exact same situation: painted aluminum with lots of brake dust and some other grime. Just be sure to drive your car around the block afterward, or you may find your stock semi-metallic pads rusted to the iron rotor.

Too funny, I'm rewatching Star Wars with my kids.

Good information and thanks again for the assist! Weathertech's are showing up tomorrow, so winter prep is moving along nicely.

[JamesNoBrakes]

I got a nice square setup from Tirerack, run studded 255s. Works pretty well.

Axis 19X8.5 5-120 ET15 AXIS XR.

Runs great square, not "sucked in", able to rotate easy, at least decent width. After running 255 though it's comical that they put these on the rear end of cars (for summer).

[Snake_Eyes]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

I got a nice square setup from Tirerack, run studded 255s. Works pretty well.

Axis 19X8.5 5-120 ET15 AXIS XR.

Runs great square, not "sucked in", able to rotate easy, at least decent width. After running 255 though it's comical that they put these on the rear end of cars (for summer).

Thanks for that, your car looks great!!!

[Snake_Eyes]

Alright, new shoes ready for winter, square 18x8.5 OEM rims and 245/50-18 Blizzaks. I think it looks pretty good. Thanks for all the help guys, from getting a setup that would fit to removing the air diverter, I couldn't have done it without you.

EDIT: ugh, why does the forum insist on rotating some pics???

[bishopts]

Camaros hibernate in the winter!