Not very often does a company come along that changes the rules, changes the way we look at things and changes the way we modify our cars. 6LE Designs is just such a company. Operating out of a tiny facility in Southern California, Mark DeLisle and Gilberto Martinez are constantly brain-storming new ways to bring their customers something different for the late-model GM crowd.
Starting up just a few years ago to fillĀ a tiny niche that has never been filled prior; a front splitter for fourth-gen F-bodies, the duo have expanded their product lineup to cover not only the entire gamut of F-body styling accessories, but exhaust, suspension, brake and wheel upgrades, too! They’ve even expanded into other lines, such as Corvette, GTO, G8 and even several items for Turbo Buicks, with late-model full-sized GM truck coming down the pike, too!
What we wanted to do for this particular story, however, was pick our top ten favorite styling accessories for the 4th-Gen F-car that help define who 6LE really is – representing their individual style the sets them apart from the rest.
By the way, 6LE is an acting sponsor of GM EFI Magazine, and everything in their catalog is available with an exclusiveĀ 15%-off discount when you enter code, GMEFI, to your order upon checkout!
If you own a fourth-gen, particularly a later example, you’re all too-familiar with the bubbling roof that plagues these cars. Apparently, GM sourced some bad adhesive to affix the roof to the car, that seeped through the paint, causing the bubbles typically found on the sides of the B-pillar. This fixes that for good and adds a nice, high-end touch of carbon fiber. You can also order it in fiberglass as well. This fits all ’93-’02 Camaro/Firebird coupes and can be painted to match the car.
2.) Front Splitter
The part that started it all; the F-body front splitter. Available for ’93-’02 Camaro and Firebird, it directly bolts underneath your car with the existing eight mounting locations, in addition to three mounting points necessary to stabilize the center section. It increases downforce to the front of your car, reducing lift, and adds a look that’s not unlike a C6 ZR1 Corvette.
Available in the standard and their newly-released “Q-Edition” splitter flavor, there are now two distinctive options from 6LE in terms of splitter style!
We should note that ground clearance is reduced by a 1/4-inch, so if your car is slammed to the ground and you live in an area riddled with speed bumps or steep inclines, proceed with caution.
3.) Side Splitters
These are cool. Adding additional downforce and style to your F-body, this is another play on the late-model Corvette Z06 and ZR1. They feature a simple bolt-on installation and additional, tasteful cosmetics that were never even thought of for these cars ten years ago. If you’re about style and increased handling form your F-body (especially on a Camaro), we would scoop these up!
4.) Canards/Rear Splash Guards
Are yo
u sick of the dust, mud and other debris covering the sides of your rear bumper? Don’t you hate when after you’ve spent all day cleaning your ride, that you have to break out the quick detailer and microfiber towel as soon as you hit up the local cruise spot? After dealing with this ourselves for over 13 years, we are! And as functional as a set of mud flaps would be, we’re not interested. 6LE solves all of this with these canards. Featuring simple installation, they’re perfect for those with wider than OEM wheels as they have a tendency to stick out slightly further than stock. These provide a more flushed look in those cases.
Being offered individually initially, but potentially as a complete package soon, the ZL1-styled fiberglass hood for the ’98-’02 Camaro is awesome! It provides the old Camaro a taste of 21st century styling and functionality while giving a nod to its supercharged successor. As much as we love the OEM SS hood, this will give Z28 owners another option other than sourcing an SS knock-off or buying a used hood from a wrecked Super Sport Camaro. Order this with the AggreSSive rear spoiler as well as the aforementioned splitters and canards, and you’ll have yourself one bad-looking ride!
6.) Diffuser
Are you looking to fill the odd, outlined section on your Trans Am’s rear bumper but are bored with the played-out “CETA mod?” Get a 6LE diffuser. These look fantastic, install easily with 3M tape and your license plate screws and come in bothĀ carbon fiberĀ or fiberglass. It also updates the look of your car substantially, as most of today’s musclecars and sports cars feature a diffusor for increased downforce.
7.) Hood Hinges
Providing a modern, race car touch to the engine bay of your pride and joy, 6LE offers theseĀ aluminum hood hinges for owners of not just F-bodies, but 5th-Gen Camaro and G8, too! No longer do you have to pay top-dollar for those generic hydraulic hood shocks that inevitably wear out and look cheap, these will add a touch of quality in your soon-to-be classic F-body, 5th-Gen or G8.
A classic, tried and true styling mod for ’98-02 Camaros, these Whistler headlights give your “catfish” a more aggressive look that has plagued the front end of these cars since their unveiling in the Fall of ’97. Although simple to manufacture yourself, many enthusiasts lack the time, patience, know-how or determination to remove their headlights, disassemble them, stick them in an oven, paint them, reassemble and reinstall them into their car. Or, would rather not modify their original lenses for those who care about that sort of thing. Now you can order them from 6LE and have them delivered to your door ready to install!
9.) Camera Mount
Are you a frequent road racer, autocrosser or drag racer? Do you have a desire to record illegal racing activities or… something else while behind the wheel? 6LE has you covered with this camera mount. They bolt right into your 4th-Gen’s child seat mounting points and offer the option to mount your GoPro between the two points, allowing various angles and views for your camera. For $100 in basic black, they’re affordable, too! They are also available in otherĀ colors, too!
10.) Gauge Overlays
Aftermarket white-faced gauges have been around since these cars were still in production. We’ve seen several other options come and go over the years, too, but with these unique overlays designed by McCord and offered through 6LE, you’ll definitely have your own sense of style. Available for all fourth-gens and even third-gens, these increase the style and quality of your aging F-body cockpit with various designs and patterns for you to choose.
Rick Seitz is the owner and founder of GMEFI Magazine, and has a true love and passion for all vehicles. When he isnāt tuning, testing, or competing with the brandās current crop of project vehicles, heās busy tinkering and planning the next modifications for his own cars.
