Bottoming/scraping front end: I no longer care!
08-29-2014, 02:45 PM
#1
Advanced
Thread Starter
Bottoming/scraping front end: I no longer care!
I finally came to the conclusion that my C5 is going to scrape the road on certain dips and bumps, and that I should just get over it. Sometimes it's going to scrape the spoilers, and sometimes it's even going to scrape the underside of the front bumper. But unless I am willing to drive like a *****, and slow down to less than walking speed every time there is a dip or bump or driveway that needs to be entered, it's going to get scraped.
Well, I'm NOT willing to drive like a *****. I have sports cars because I like to drive fast. The C5 is going to have to do what I want it to do, and if that means it isn't some pristine gargage queen, fine. I don't have much respect for garage queens that never get driven (or driven hard) anyway.
Besides, if you go faster, and scrape the front spoilers, it sounds much better scraping them quickly than the long, drawn-out SCCCRRRAAAAAAPE that you get if you slow down. And the spoilers are readily available and not very expensive when you wear them out. Front spoilers should be viewed as a maintenance item, just like brake pads. As to the underside of the front bumper, I can't see the scrapes unless I get down on the ground and look underneath. None of the perfect strangers who frequently say to me "Beautiful car, man!" ever get down and look at the underside of my front bumper before saying it.
So, there you have it. My C5 is now a daily driver, and I'm going to get every bit of enjoyment out of it that I can, and quit worrying.
Well, I'm NOT willing to drive like a *****. I have sports cars because I like to drive fast. The C5 is going to have to do what I want it to do, and if that means it isn't some pristine gargage queen, fine. I don't have much respect for garage queens that never get driven (or driven hard) anyway.
Besides, if you go faster, and scrape the front spoilers, it sounds much better scraping them quickly than the long, drawn-out SCCCRRRAAAAAAPE that you get if you slow down. And the spoilers are readily available and not very expensive when you wear them out. Front spoilers should be viewed as a maintenance item, just like brake pads. As to the underside of the front bumper, I can't see the scrapes unless I get down on the ground and look underneath. None of the perfect strangers who frequently say to me "Beautiful car, man!" ever get down and look at the underside of my front bumper before saying it.
So, there you have it. My C5 is now a daily driver, and I'm going to get every bit of enjoyment out of it that I can, and quit worrying.
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08-29-2014, 03:00 PM
#2
Race Director
Member Since: Jul 2007
Location: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
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St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Sounds like you need Fatt Daddys and rail savers to protect things. Better safe than sorry.
08-29-2014, 03:06 PM
#3
Racer
I agree 100% I just take it as part of owning the car. I think that's one of the benefits of buying used that the bumper already had a couple scratches on bottom.
08-29-2014, 03:51 PM
#5
Advanced
Thread Starter
I have Fangs from SacCityCorvette on the front skid bars, and Elite Engineering's Rocker Panel Rails, because those areas could suffer more than just cosmetic damage. But the front spoilers and underside of the bumper are on their own, and that's just fine.
08-29-2014, 06:58 PM
#6
Well lemme tell ya...I had mine on a lift earlier today, you know you can see EVERYTHING from that vantage point...all I can say is it looks like a war was fought down there.
Moral...stay off the lift...
Moral...stay off the lift...
08-29-2014, 07:17 PM
#7
Melting Slicks
I finally came to the conclusion that my C5 is going to scrape the road on certain dips and bumps, and that I should just get over it. Sometimes it's going to scrape the spoilers, and sometimes it's even going to scrape the underside of the front bumper. But unless I am willing to drive like a *****, and slow down to less than walking speed every time there is a dip or bump or driveway that needs to be entered, it's going to get scraped.
Well, I'm NOT willing to drive like a *****. I have sports cars because I like to drive fast. The C5 is going to have to do what I want it to do, and if that means it isn't some pristine gargage queen, fine. I don't have much respect for garage queens that never get driven (or driven hard) anyway.
Besides, if you go faster, and scrape the front spoilers, it sounds much better scraping them quickly than the long, drawn-out SCCCRRRAAAAAAPE that you get if you slow down. And the spoilers are readily available and not very expensive when you wear them out. Front spoilers should be viewed as a maintenance item, just like brake pads. As to the underside of the front bumper, I can't see the scrapes unless I get down on the ground and look underneath. None of the perfect strangers who frequently say to me "Beautiful car, man!" ever get down and look at the underside of my front bumper before saying it.
So, there you have it. My C5 is now a daily driver, and I'm going to get every bit of enjoyment out of it that I can, and quit worrying.
Well, I'm NOT willing to drive like a *****. I have sports cars because I like to drive fast. The C5 is going to have to do what I want it to do, and if that means it isn't some pristine gargage queen, fine. I don't have much respect for garage queens that never get driven (or driven hard) anyway.
Besides, if you go faster, and scrape the front spoilers, it sounds much better scraping them quickly than the long, drawn-out SCCCRRRAAAAAAPE that you get if you slow down. And the spoilers are readily available and not very expensive when you wear them out. Front spoilers should be viewed as a maintenance item, just like brake pads. As to the underside of the front bumper, I can't see the scrapes unless I get down on the ground and look underneath. None of the perfect strangers who frequently say to me "Beautiful car, man!" ever get down and look at the underside of my front bumper before saying it.
So, there you have it. My C5 is now a daily driver, and I'm going to get every bit of enjoyment out of it that I can, and quit worrying.
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Chucklehead2 (06-05-2022)
08-29-2014, 07:27 PM
#8
Le Mans Master
06-04-2022, 08:30 PM
#11
Heel & Toe
Agreed!!!!
I finally came to the conclusion that my C5 is going to scrape the road on certain dips and bumps, and that I should just get over it. Sometimes it's going to scrape the spoilers, and sometimes it's even going to scrape the underside of the front bumper. But unless I am willing to drive like a *****, and slow down to less than walking speed every time there is a dip or bump or driveway that needs to be entered, it's going to get scraped.
Well, I'm NOT willing to drive like a *****. I have sports cars because I like to drive fast. The C5 is going to have to do what I want it to do, and if that means it isn't some pristine gargage queen, fine. I don't have much respect for garage queens that never get driven (or driven hard) anyway.
Besides, if you go faster, and scrape the front spoilers, it sounds much better scraping them quickly than the long, drawn-out SCCCRRRAAAAAAPE that you get if you slow down. And the spoilers are readily available and not very expensive when you wear them out. Front spoilers should be viewed as a maintenance item, just like brake pads. As to the underside of the front bumper, I can't see the scrapes unless I get down on the ground and look underneath. None of the perfect strangers who frequently say to me "Beautiful car, man!" ever get down and look at the underside of my front bumper before saying it.
So, there you have it. My C5 is now a daily driver, and I'm going to get every bit of enjoyment out of it that I can, and quit worrying.
Well, I'm NOT willing to drive like a *****. I have sports cars because I like to drive fast. The C5 is going to have to do what I want it to do, and if that means it isn't some pristine gargage queen, fine. I don't have much respect for garage queens that never get driven (or driven hard) anyway.
Besides, if you go faster, and scrape the front spoilers, it sounds much better scraping them quickly than the long, drawn-out SCCCRRRAAAAAAPE that you get if you slow down. And the spoilers are readily available and not very expensive when you wear them out. Front spoilers should be viewed as a maintenance item, just like brake pads. As to the underside of the front bumper, I can't see the scrapes unless I get down on the ground and look underneath. None of the perfect strangers who frequently say to me "Beautiful car, man!" ever get down and look at the underside of my front bumper before saying it.
So, there you have it. My C5 is now a daily driver, and I'm going to get every bit of enjoyment out of it that I can, and quit worrying.
The following 2 users liked this post by Turtle.slow210:
sonicss33 (06-06-2022),
walleyejack (06-04-2022)
06-05-2022, 04:19 PM
#13
Man.. Ain't that the truth brother... I'm with you... Many appear in my town, they must-a got a deal on the damn things so...... I insist on coming very close to a stop on Ever One of those damn things in my town... I slowly creep over every one of them.. Talk about pissed folks! And cops can't do a damn thing... but then again perhaps that makes em happy!... Anything I can do to help local law enforcement. 😒 Todays world requires patience and a prudent driver to manage a high horsepower lowslung Corvette in speed bump heaven. 😂 We don't see Any lowriders around here. Now that's discrimination ain't it? 🤔
06-05-2022, 05:55 PM
#14
With all the scraping I do I wonder why I haven't worn off the offending pieces. But no, the next time I go across a heavily crowned intersection or a dip or a speed bump or my driveway entrance I throw sparks.
06-06-2022, 12:30 AM
#15
Running Guns & Moonshine
That is my take on my 99 daily driver. But I don't have it slammed as low as it can go. I believe I have factory front bolts full low and aftermarket rear bolts set to match a 2-finger spacing from tire to top of wheel well.
Imagine having an A&A kit like this car did which put the radiator frame an additional 1/2" lower. LOL
They already mentioned the tricks. I like the rollers of the fat momma / fat daddy options because it is a zero friction thing, and it also provides an earlier warning that the skid plates. I own, but have not installed, the same elite frame savers. I really never once have gone center high on these cars and adding those pieces both lowered the bottom of the car making it more likely while also blocking off the puck jacking points which I am NOT a fan of.
One thing I'll toss in the hat here. Remove the air splitters under your car. Left, right and center. Then either cut them in half lengthwise or to your preferred height. 90% of the time it is that rubbery stuff scraping and making noise and making you feel dumb in the car. They serve no purpose to me so I hacked 'em up and have been happy that way for several years. If someone says doing so affects radiator feed or temperature in any way they have zero experience and are talking out the side of their back end.
Additional bonus to the fat momma / fat daddy rollers: they work well in the Corvette's natural habitat..... being loaded on a flatbed! They really do keep the nose itself from getting dragged and reduce your stress. $20 says the guy mentions them the first time your car is towed.
Imagine having an A&A kit like this car did which put the radiator frame an additional 1/2" lower. LOL
They already mentioned the tricks. I like the rollers of the fat momma / fat daddy options because it is a zero friction thing, and it also provides an earlier warning that the skid plates. I own, but have not installed, the same elite frame savers. I really never once have gone center high on these cars and adding those pieces both lowered the bottom of the car making it more likely while also blocking off the puck jacking points which I am NOT a fan of.
One thing I'll toss in the hat here. Remove the air splitters under your car. Left, right and center. Then either cut them in half lengthwise or to your preferred height. 90% of the time it is that rubbery stuff scraping and making noise and making you feel dumb in the car. They serve no purpose to me so I hacked 'em up and have been happy that way for several years. If someone says doing so affects radiator feed or temperature in any way they have zero experience and are talking out the side of their back end.
Additional bonus to the fat momma / fat daddy rollers: they work well in the Corvette's natural habitat..... being loaded on a flatbed! They really do keep the nose itself from getting dragged and reduce your stress. $20 says the guy mentions them the first time your car is towed.
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phoneman91 (06-06-2022)
06-07-2022, 02:10 PM
#16
Le Mans Master
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2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '21-'22
I can't get in and out of my driveway without scraping. I know it's just just the air dam, so it doesn't bother me that much. Although I want to put and ACI splitter on the car, so that could be a problem If I can't figure out a way to improve the road to driveway transition. I certainly drive my car. I do try to be careful with it though.
06-07-2022, 10:55 PM
#17
Racer
I used to scrape every time I drove up or down my driveway, definitely not a good feeling. I cut about 1 7/8" off the air dam. No more scrape and the temp gauge shows about a 7* increase on a hot day. Getting rid of the scrape added a lot to my driving pleasure.
06-08-2022, 06:21 AM
#18
Safety Car
Is always good to update old threads. I dont c y this is a big deal around here. There should be no statute of limitations on this JMO