ZG flares do I have to cut?

[mars23z]

I am looking at the zg flares for my Z. I just talked to the guys at motorsport and they said you dont have to cut fenders if you are not running real wide tires and rims in fact he said most people dont cut the fenders. So is this true? and if so using a 15x7 rim will it look ok or do I need to space it a little? I really dont like spacers but would be willing to do a small one like 1" or so or will my cars stock set up allow maybe a 15x8 wheel or a different off set? This is only a concern in the back for me. Thanks

[jmortensen]

You can run flares with wheels tires that don't need flares and then you don't have to cut the fenders. You're missing out on the benefit of the flares if you do this in my opinion, since the big benefit to adding flares is that it allows you to run wider tires.

Here's a thread on hybrid z that might help: http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=113064

[mars23z]

Thanks John I have seen that thread before Im just not sure if I want to cut my quarters. I want to because I love he way it looks. I guess i just need to think about it If I do cut it wont be until Im ready to paint the car next summer.

[theianmonster]

Its a big choice, because if someone doesn't like the ZG's and you've cut the quarters when you try to resell, they can't take them off.

Its very practical if you're running wide wheels though. 15x7's won't come to the lip of the flare unless they're like -15 or something.

[waynekarnes]

if you are running wide tires and car is gonna rub the tires you will need to cut the inners and possibly the fenders.

but, for most people the factory ZG flares are decorative.

just mount em and enjoy the look.

you want a particular look for your car go for it.

later if you want to return to the plain jane cookie cutter look, remove the flares, weld the holes, little body work and there you are.

again, it's your car. enjoy it.

[toecutter]

I think one think you might not have realised about why you like the flares is that when the tyres fill them out they do look good but if mount them with 7 or 8 inch wheels and zeroish offset it will look a bit off i think. It really is a catch 22 situation if your not sure about cutting the guards. See if you can get your hands on one rear gaurd and just stick it on the rear with tape and you will see what I mean. I did this with mine whilst waitng for my wheels to come in and it looked pretty scarey...anyhow just a thought before you do any drilling. good luck

You can see where the tyres rubbed on the cut outs when I used to go over bumps...ouch!

[mars23z]

Toecutter your car is one of the reasons I will probably cut mine and put fatter wheels I love the way your car looks. Ian monster thats a good point but I will never sell my Z so thats not a concern. Maybe I should just get them stick them on and if they look good run them until I do get it painted and then cut. thanks for the response guys

[jmortensen]

If you guys read that thread that I linked to it relates to the way toecutter installed the flares. Judging by my own experience cutting my fenders as well as the info in that thread, I think that toecutter has them too low and I think that he did not cut enough metal off of the lip of the fender. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, just trying to warn anyone else that decides to cut to be careful of the placement and where they cut...

[toecutter]

Jon, yes I agree and should have pointed that out. As a result it still can bottom out when going hard around a corner however my logic was to try cutting that much and always easier to cut more if needed. I did'nt want to cut too high and have the heat melt paint away however I was very impressed by how good a job the TIG welder did and will definatley go higher when the car becomes a priority again after renovations and garage are finished some time later this year.

[mars23z]

Well I have decided to buy the flares put them on and probably a small spacer just to line every thing up in the back and maybe even a 235 tire in the back as well. Then when I get it painted I will cut and put wider wheels on the car. Thanks for all the help everyone. Now I will do a search on spacers not a big fan of them but I suppose I can live with a small one