[Bizotic]

Hi All!

I've been debating the past couple of weeks on whether or not to purchase and install OEM ZL1 Rocker Molding panels with the ZL1 side skirts on my 2020 SS, based on what I've seen around the forums, it looks like it is possible with some minor modifications to the fenders, just need to push them out a bit with spacers, referenced this forum post specifically:

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=561228

Only reason why I'd go with these is because my rocker panels are peppered up pretty bad from the previous owner. Don't have a great picture at the moment, but if you zoom in close to the one attached you can see that the rear quarter is faded in comparison to the rest of the car, passenger side is about the same. Rather than paying a body shop to repaint, thought it might be worth the 600-800 dollars to just buy new off ebay from priorityautomotive 2015 and get them installed with the side skirts. He has the driver's side listed for about 350, I'm sure the seller may also have the Passenger side as well, but will need to confirm.

With that being said, I've been going back and forth because I'll also need to touch up the paint on the rear quarters as well because there are some deeper scratches, so a repaint may be the better option so that it is blended properly. I also have, sitting in my garage, a ZL1 1LE replica bumper from IKON Motorsports that I bought about a year ago, but haven't had the chance to get it painted and installed, 1 thing led to another and didn't have the time nor the funds to get the job completed, nor the trust in the local Bodyshop's around me.

With that being said, I have 3 questions for the group:

Has anyone had their rocker molding panels repainted and about what did it run you?

Has anyone installed ZL1 Rocker Molding Panels on their SS with the ZL1 side skirts, and what did it run you?

Has anyone gone the route of the ZL1 replica bumper paint matched, on their SS and what did it run you?

For reference, I'm located in CT and will be going out to get quotes on repainting the rocker moldings in the next week or so. Before anyone says, HOW DARE YOU, it's not a ZL1, don't make it look like one... We all have our own opinions of what we like and don't like. I personally prefer the 16-18 SS front bumpers over the 19 and 20+, but got a great deal on my 2020 at the time that I couldn't pass up on, and love the look of the ZL1 bumper, I'd never badge the car as a ZL1. Plans were to install Carbon Hood/Fenders/Doors/Trunk, but had to sell them before I put them on the car because life got in the way.

If anyone has any references for Body Shops in CT, shoot them my way!

[ZPirate]

Welcome to the forum. Nice looking SS.

Rather than installing actual ZL1 rockers and side skirts, which can be done, most people install ZL1 style side skirts. They cover up the bottom and lower part of the OEM rockers so you likely don't need to repaint them. There are several good brands of the ZL1 style rockers available. I have ACS rock guards and side skirts on my SS 1LE. The combination of rock guards and side skirts does a good job of protecting the lower parts of the car.

[Spaceme1117]

Originally Posted by ZPirate

Welcome to the forum. Nice looking SS.

Rather than installing actual ZL1 rockers and side skirts, which can be done, most people install ZL1 style side skirts. They cover up the bottom and lower part of the OEM rockers so you likely don't need to repaint them. There are several good brands of the ZL1 style rockers available. I have ACS rock guards and side skirts on my SS 1LE. The combination of rock guards and side skirts does a good job of protecting the lower parts of the car.

Attachment 1143014

Attachment 1143015

+1 for the ACS Composites side skirts. I have these on my 2017 2SS.

[NYTMARE23]

Dang...all you ZL1 wanna be's!!!! Haha..I kid, I kid! Nice looking rides all!

[ZPirate]

Originally Posted by NYTMARE23

Dang...all you ZL1 wanna be's!!!! Haha..I kid, I kid! Nice looking rides all!

I've got a Z too!

And the ZL1 side skirts look so good everyone wants them.

[NYTMARE23]

Originally Posted by ZPirate

I've got a Z too!

And the ZL1 side skirts look so good everyone wants them.

Touche' on the ZL1!!

Agree, the ZL1 side skirts do look really good on all the 6th gen models really! Can't argue that point!

[dpevans]

I don't think it's a matter of wanting to make your car look like a ZL1, I have my side skirts coming this week and did it for saving the rocker panels from rock chips. I have PPF installed on the rockers, and half way up behind each tire with ACS rock guards. With the 305/285 combination it's a must to have these on your car if you want to save the paint. I personally don't like the idea of drilling holes in the rockers for the install but it is what it is.

[ZPirate]

Originally Posted by dpevans

I don't think it's a matter of wanting to make your car look like a ZL1, I have my side skirts coming this week and did it for saving the rocker panels from rock chips. I have PPF installed on the rockers, and half way up behind each tire with ACS rock guards. With the 305/285 combination it's a must to have these on your car if you want to save the paint. I personally don't like the idea of drilling holes in the rockers for the install but it is what it is.

There are other side skirt options. Not just the ZL1 style versions. Side skirts do offer a considerable amount of protection for the rockers, especially if you have 1LE wheels or other wide wheels and tires.

Unfortunately, with aftermarket side skirts the only way to secure them properly is to drill holes in the rockers as they attach to the rockers rather than be part of the rockers.

[Mike68]

+2 for the ACS Composite side rockers and rock guards. Side rockers look great and rock guards provided protection.

[paradigm]

Do ZL1 rockers look much different than the SS rockers?

I installed ZL1 style side skirts over my factory rockers and they look great. I went with Extreme Online Store and they fit pretty well.

[Bumbleboy92]

Originally Posted by paradigm

Do ZL1 rockers look much different than the SS rockers?

I installed ZL1 style side skirts over my factory rockers and they look great. I went with Extreme Online Store and they fit pretty well.

ZL1 style side skirts imitate the stock ZL1 rockers

Original ZL1 rockers are one piece molded and not just SS side skirts with a extension like most of us with aftermarket skirts

[paradigm]

Originally Posted by Bumbleboy92

ZL1 style side skirts imitate the stock ZL1 rockers

Original ZL1 rockers are one piece molded and not just SS side skirts with a extension like most of us with aftermarket skirts

Got it.

Are the ZL1 rockers available in the matte / unfinished look? I see the ones on ebay appear to be finished in a gloss black.

[ZPirate]

Originally Posted by paradigm

Got it.

Are the ZL1 rockers available in the matte / unfinished look? I see the ones on ebay appear to be finished in a gloss black.

Depending on the vendor, you can get aftermarket ZL1 style skirts, painted or unpainted. Most offer gloss black as an option. My ACS side skirts are what they call 1LE black to match the other 1LE trim pieces like the front splitter and the rear spoiler. ACS also sells them in gloss black.

[paradigm]

Originally Posted by ZPirate

Depending on the vendor, you can get aftermarket ZL1 style skirts, painted or unpainted. Most offer gloss black as an option. My ACS side skirts are what they call 1LE black to match the other 1LE trim pieces like the front splitter and the rear spoiler. ACS also sells them in gloss black.

Yeah I am aware of the side skirt add-on available in various finishes. I went with the EOS unfinished ones which I painted to match my SS 1LE front splitter / rear valence.

These ZL1 rockers have me interested as I feel its a sturdier setup than my double sided taped side skirts, lol. I didn't want to drill into my brand new car at the time, so managed to go almost 10k miles / 1.5 years with double sided tape and one screw.