Let's be clear about this from the start: The project outlined in this story won't increase the top speed of your C6; nor will it improve its lateral acceleration. It won't shave half a second from its quarter-mile acceleration, and don't bother writing to ask about the impact on downforce at 120 mph.
This is a story about aesthetics. It's about personalization. And it's about a do-it-yourself project that, provided you can tell a straight-slot screwdriver from a Phillips, you can perform at home and achieve excellent results.
We're talking about a set of GTR carbon-fiber headlamps and stainless-steel-accented taillights from Specter Werkes/Sports. In the simplest sense, they replace the stock lamps and lenses, but there's more to the project than that. They transform an otherwise stock-appearing car into something more distinctive, but in a way that doesn't impact driveability or reliability.
Both the headlamps and taillights are the same as the ones used on Specter's GTR supercar. The headlamps dramatically alter the front-end appearance of the car, replacing the body-color lamp assemblies with units draped in real carbon fiber beneath the lens cover. As for the taillights, they've got blacked-out outer-edge styling and a stainless-steel center trim ring, yielding a more detailed look than the stock lenses.
The Specter GTR headlamps...
The Specter GTR headlamps feature real carbon-fiber bezels in a ready-to-install assembly-including the factory-spec projector-beam lamps. They're direct replacements for the stock lamps.
Like the headlamps, the GTR...
Like the headlamps, the GTR taillights simply swap out with the stock lenses. Their distinctive look comes from the blacked-out perimeters and stainless-steel inner trim rings.
Installing the headlamps requires...
Installing the headlamps requires the removal of the front fenders. The process starts with removing the front wheels to provide access to the inner fender liners.
The fender liners are held...
The fender liners are held in place mostly with plastic push pins. While a flat-blade screwdriver will do the trick, the best method of removing the pins is to invest a few dollars in a purpose-specific tool like the one shown here. They're available at most auto-parts stores and auto-body-supply outlets.
The liner pulls out of the...
The liner pulls out of the body easily, but care must be taken to ensure that all of the plastic fasteners have been removed. Working in the dark recesses of the inner fender, it's easy to miss a pin or two.
A separate liner is located...
A separate liner is located at the rear of the inner fender area; its removal process is the same as the one used for the front liner section.
The most important reason...
The most important reason for removing the rear liner is to provide access to a fender bolt that's buried deep within the body. A couple of long extensions on a ratchet and a 7mm socket are needed to remove this bolt.
This photo shows the location...
This photo shows the location of the fender fastener with the fender removed. Note the angle of the fastener location (arrow). It's accessed by sliding the long extensions up through the body where the rearward fender liner was removed.
While the rest of the fender...
While the rest of the fender fasteners are easy to reach, a couple of them are located on the inside of the fender, where they secure the front fascia.
Installing the taillights couldn't be simpler. A single screw holds each lens housing in place; after it's removed and the bulb disconnected, the Specter housing simply replaces the stocker. The Specter headlamp assemblies are also direct replacements for the stock units, but there's a little more to the job than being handy with a screwdriver.
Swapping the headlamps requires that you first remove the front fenders; this will allow you to reach the hardware that secures the lamps to the chassis. Care and patience are the watchwords here, to prevent scratching or damaging these relatively delicate pieces-particularly the carbon-fiber fenders of Z06 and ZR1 models. (By the way, we think the GTR headlamps complement the other exposed carbon pieces on the ZR1 like, say, a dollop of Cool Whip on a slice of pumpkin pie.)
Specter Werkes/Sports lists the headlamp kit for $1,895 and the taillight kit for $555. If the former seems pricey, keep in mind it includes both the left and right assemblies, fully assembled with production-spec projector beams and DOT-approved lenses-and it's only about $75 more than you'd pay the parts-counter guy for stock replacements.
So no, not every enhancement to your Corvette has to be made in the quest for greater horsepower. High-performance styling has its place, too. And in that regard, this project is the equivalent of a 200 shot of nitrous.
It's also necessary to remove...
It's also necessary to remove a few fasteners on the front fascia in the area around the headlamps. This provides access to the fasteners holding the headlamp module to the chassis.
Care must be taken when pulling...
Care must be taken when pulling off the fender, as it can catch on the front fascia or other components. The fender is very light, so use minimal pressure when pulling it up and away from the body.
A few fasteners around the...
A few fasteners around the edges of the headlamp assembly hold it in place. Once they're removed, the assembly should come off easily.
There's only a single electric...
There's only a single electric connector to work with on each headlamp module; it simply pulls off during removal. The Specter assembly has a matching connector that pushes on during installation.
After the wiring harness is...
After the wiring harness is connected, the GTR headlamp module drops into place and attaches with the factory hardware.
With the GTR headlamp installed,...
With the GTR headlamp installed, re-installation of the fender is simply the reverse of removal. The project isn't difficult, but it does require time and patience. Plan on about an hour per lamp.
Compared with the headlamp...
Compared with the headlamp swap, the job of installing the Specter GTR taillights could be timed with a stopwatch. A single Torx-head screw holds each lens in place.
When the lens is loosened,...
When the lens is loosened, it pops out of place and a quick twist of the bulb frees it from the body. To install the new lamps, just twist the bulb into the housing and screw the housing into place.
The blacked-out perimeter...
The blacked-out perimeter of the GTR lenses gives the taillights a sleeker, slimmer appearance, while the stainless center trim ring adds a premium look.
Drop-Top Wide Body: Specter's Z06 Fender Kit For Convertibles
In the Corvette corner of the Internet, one of the more popular topics has been the feasibility of adapting the wider Z06 rear fenders to the convertible body. Some say it can be done with some light nipping and tucking of the Z06 parts, while others advise against the project altogether.
To fulfill a customer's request to perform that very modification, Specter Werkes/Sports tackled the wide-body swap. It was a success, and Specter's president, Jeff Nowicki, determined that the necessary procedures could be packaged in a kit for installation by a car owner or body shop.
In a nutshell, the change involves trimming a section of the stock Z06 fender (requiring a Dremel-type tool to slice through the tough carbon material) and bonding an insert to it that matches the top contour of the convertible fender. The insert requires paint matching, but if the fender is trimmed carefully, it shouldn't require a touch-up.
The kit should be available as this issue hits the newsstand, so if you're interested in giving your convertible the styling of the Z06, give Specter a call.
Oh, and don't forget you'll need a pair of Z06 carbon-fiber rear fenders, too. The last time we checked, they listed at an eye-watering $1,739 apiece at your Chevy dealer (some sweet talk might bring it down a bit). Such is the price for standing out from the crowd.
Complicating the swap is the...
Complicating the swap is the fact that the convertible and Z06 fenders have different contours at the top. Specter's kit has a template to trim the Z06 fender to the proper shape. It also comes with a necessary support piece that bonds to the fender.
The Z06 rear fender (right)...
The Z06 rear fender (right) is about 2 inches wider than the standard convertible unit. Adapting it to the convertible adds a dramatic styling element to the car.
Some minor paintwork or blending...
Some minor paintwork or blending may be required, but thanks to Specter's adapter kit, the Z06 fender can be mounted on the convertible body without any further modifications.