Hi fellas,

I'm considering installing a set of STI side skirts for my Spec C. Although i much prefer the skirtless look i'm considering trading up the desired look for some protection to the sills/rocker panels.

Question is, does the regular STI skirts bolt right on? Do i need to drill holes along the rocker panels? Certainly hope not.

I checked the side sills and noticed multiple grommets covering (what i believe are mounting holes for the skirts?) By removing the grommets, does the OE clips for the skirts pop right into these? Or would i have to expand the holes or drill extra to fit the skirts?

Anyone with a Spec C who has done this or knows about this?

Thanks

Regards
Errol

 

I'd leave it....sill's will be fine// with the skirts you might find you get all sorts of crap stuck behind them this way at least you can keep them clean.

 

Dont do it.

 

You'll have to drill holes to fit them properly mate, Don't do it..!

 

Yes I believe the cils will need to be drilled, can't remember if its 2 or 3 holes!

 

Do you mean expanding the holes Nic? Because there are already what appears to be holes covered by plastic grommets. When you get to your car later on, take a peek along the sills, you'll see what i mean.

These are what i'm referring to.



Only 2 to 3? There are apparently 6 clips on each side according to the service manual.

 

Yep, they run along the length approx 10-12" apart and push in from the side, then you have the push clips on the underneath Errol

 

Hmmm....that's definitely a factor to consider.

I know ricky, just exploring my options.

 

That's exactly what i was referring to Gaz. So the clips fit the holes perfectly once the grommets are out?

Protecting the sills is one thing, the other consideration is i think the skirts also help take some of the load off the pinch welds when the car is lifted. The pinch weld along the sills is very badly designed on the GD Impreza IMO, the edges are very prone to bending a little bit even when the car is lifted up properly.

 

No extra holes required i know someone who did this.
Remove grommets and the clips are similar to the ones that hold bumper etc on but are bigger and the centres are white coloured.
Simple push on

 

I think they mean you need to drill extra holes on the vertical face of the sill

 

Which part?

 

Ignore me. I'm thinking of pictures of a classic sti I had seen with the skirts off with holes to be filled.

 

Ah...i think you're right mate. Found some pictures that show the holes on the upright portion of the sills.

From scoobymods. Picture courtesy of pete2002.


Random picture


My Spec C - no holes, just dimples.


Looks like i won't be fitting those side skirts afterall.... unless it can be secured with some adhesive tape.

 

Yes there are holes needed on the face that the clips pop into, just make sure that good rust prevention is used around the drilled edge of the holes! Have my skirts on 3/4 yrs and this thread has reminded me to whip them off and see if all is ok in the rust department. I know spec c's should be left as they come out of the box but if like me you plan on being buried with it then just do what you want with it, that's just my opinion, after all they don't come with coilovers etc either but I bet quite a few have them now.

 

That was what I was getting at, The Sti(non spec-c) has these running along both faces of the side/sill, The one in the pic doesn't have the insert it by the looks of it, usually there is a plastic insert and on the side skirt there are push fitting simaler to the ones on the inside of a door card that just push on and pop off

 

Ah...i mis-read your reply Gaz. Thanks for confirming the information.

 

That's my old Type uk
Those are the holes I meant. Just leave it as it is IMO

 

Oh. I remember saving that picture because of the Prodrive stone deflectors. Thanks for the pic.

Yeah, i guess it'll be left as it is.