Did a search and came up with hardly nothing. Did anyone have photos of their job, when they did the side flares? Heard they are a pain, and since I'm not comfortable in following manufacture's instructions (sometimes very vague), would appreciate any help. Thanks!!

 

Generally speaking, added flares look very tacky and tend to show borders, rivets, etc. Fine if you have a race car, but not so nice on the street. Probably any good custom shop will be able to do it, but get ready to spend some $$$. Otherwise, rivet 'em on, slap on some bondo, and hope for the best.

Edit: hopefully you're talking about the OEM aero side flares and not something like this: http://www.autosportz.com/bodykits_m..._universal.htm

 

Are you talking about the mazda side aero flares which are part of the appearance package?

 

icyur2, see your pm's re: this.

Zoom, Zoom!

 

I too wouldn't mind seeing one of these. Anyone have one on hand yet?

 

welcome to 07.

beers

 

i think that's a no...

 

Stavesacre21, voodoo doesn't work all that well.

Trying to resurrect something as dead as this thread is proof.

 

Do a search wilth my name and aero flares and you'll find some pix.

Zoom, Zoom!

 

thanx glass. I searched them out before and found nothing useful. It seems to be a tough topic of DIY

and I wouldn't call it voodoo. The thread wasn't closed therefor it wasn't dead. I was simply...dormant.

IMO, it's lose-lose. Still better than starting a new thread and having everyone make sarcastic remarks about searching it out. obviously i did, else i wouldn't have found THIS.

 

There is a pretty good DIY for all of the Appearance Package items (Front dam, Side Flares, and Rear flares) on the "other" RX-8 message board (www.rx8web.com). Here's the link:

http://www.rx8web.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2332

 

Also see this - http://www.rx8web.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1408 - for pix of mine.

Zoom, Zoom!

 

thanx for the pics, glass. Very nice ride.

I know that the great debate amoung the OEM aero stuff would be flares or flaps, and I would have to go againt the flow and say flares myself. It is hard to believe that something as large as the front mud flaps...that cost about $160 LESS than the rear aeros, still can be so differenatly priced. And furthermore, the rear flaps look even SMALLER than the front flaps!

However, when purely taking in eye-candy, i still think the flares seem to show a more sporty side myself. I almost overlooked yur rear flaps until i saw the huge picture.

The other resounding issue that keeps circulating about these aero sides would have to be "to drill on not to drill". I'm not certain yet how this would be attainable, and even if so, wouldn't you think they designed them that way for support?

I guess my question would really be...just like the front air dam, who really cares if there are holes in the side of yur car/paint if it's covered up anyway? I could understand the uncertain-future debate, but when tossing on almost $300 sides and not to mention a GOOD few hours + of time, it would be a choice for good.

At any rate, i do appriciate the pics.

oh yea, and toss the air dam on there easy install, looks tight.

 

I just installed mine this weekend. They are a pain in the @$$! The instructions are good and they give you everything you need with the flares. Basically, you cut out off the rear of the stone guard, plug 2 holes with existing clips and use a hole plug on another. You remove that little flap in front of the wheel and plug one of the holes with the existing push rivet. You have to drill one 1/4 " hole in the side of the wheel well and four 3/8" holes in the side of the body for clips. The flare mounts using 2 body clips from the bottom, a push rivet in the rear, a screw and nut on the wheel well, 4 clips on the side of the body, and 3M mounting tape along the top and front side. It is not going anywhere with all of that! It's not that hard...I think anyone capable of using tools can do the job. Don't be afraid of drilling.....this car is great to drill into because of it's aluminum construction! Just be sure you bore out the holes starting with a small drill bit and work your way up.

 

thanx bch...i'm gonna be tacking them in about an hour. lets hope my outcome is as good as yurs!

I look at it this way though....unlike the rear flares and front air dam, at least there's no more BUMPERS to take off. OMG that was starting to drive me NUTS.

 

So....how did it turn out? I know what you mean about removing the bumpers...I still have to do my airdam. Can't be any worse than the rear bumper though.

 

Turned out pretty good. The bumpers actually weren't all that bad at all! If you wanna hear a breakdown of all my install procedures, check out my other thread

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-exterior-appearance-body-kits-27/weekend-plans-108729/

 

Read what I wrote here: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=107970

 

best DIY for side aeros:

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-installing-side-aero-flares-115334/