Can I remove it? Not sure what it's called (air dam maybe?)
02-05-2014, 07:27 PM
#21
I bought a zr1 front chin for my gs which I have not installed yet.when reading the instructions I think they said it is optional to leave the outside ones on.that was back in the fall,but I will check when I get a chance.
02-05-2014, 09:51 PM
#26
Le Mans Master
Some C5 owners take them off without consequence. I seem to remember the outer dams are not there for cooling air to the radiator, rather they direct air around the outside of the front tires at high speeds.
I back both the C5 and C6 into the driveway, at a slight to moderate angle and that eliminated all scraping I had if I otherwise drove the car in forward. My driveway was just enough of an issue that even at a very shallow angle I would scrape the air dams going in forward.
I back both the C5 and C6 into the driveway, at a slight to moderate angle and that eliminated all scraping I had if I otherwise drove the car in forward. My driveway was just enough of an issue that even at a very shallow angle I would scrape the air dams going in forward.
Last edited by Cherokee Nation; 02-05-2014 at 10:24 PM. Reason: change
02-05-2014, 09:55 PM
#27
Le Mans Master
Last edited by Cherokee Nation; 02-06-2014 at 11:36 AM. Reason: change
02-05-2014, 10:15 PM
#28
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The entire air dam is to cool the brakes? (Not breaks BTW.) I think not, but would love to see where GM said that. At normal speeds I suspect it doesn't matter if it's there or not. For high speed driving/racing it will affect both cooling and aerodynamics.
02-06-2014, 12:33 AM
#31
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I'm always curious about those who will make mods to the aerodynamics or other functional parts simply because of appearance.
I'm hoping those people never drive fast enough or far enough to cause them problems. Unfortunately, the next owner may not know what has been done and it could affect them.
While a tall full length spoiler may look cool and removing the front air dam because it seems ugly, the combination can easily disrupt the airflow design and cause a high speed disaster. Stuff happens real fast at 180 and recovery from a problem is not always possible.
I'm hoping those people never drive fast enough or far enough to cause them problems. Unfortunately, the next owner may not know what has been done and it could affect them.
While a tall full length spoiler may look cool and removing the front air dam because it seems ugly, the combination can easily disrupt the airflow design and cause a high speed disaster. Stuff happens real fast at 180 and recovery from a problem is not always possible.
02-06-2014, 12:35 AM
#32
Good to know. I am taking the two sides off to install a front valance. I was wondering about any cooling issue. Sounds like I should be good.
Last edited by 1rusty1; 02-06-2014 at 12:35 AM. Reason: s
02-06-2014, 11:32 AM
#33
Le Mans Master
This very question appeared in the Tech Nerd section of the April 2014 issue of Corvette magazine. This was the response:
"The air dams that you refer to are aerodynamic components that help manage airflow under, around, and through the Corvette. Will you notice any difference in the car's performance if you trim them along the bottom? Probably not, especially if you drive your car in a very sedate manner. But on the other hand, Chevrolet expects these pieces to be scraped over time and they are easily and inexpensively replaced; if you want to retain 100 percent of their performance without suffering the indignities of seeing their scrapes and scratches, then replace them."
"The air dams that you refer to are aerodynamic components that help manage airflow under, around, and through the Corvette. Will you notice any difference in the car's performance if you trim them along the bottom? Probably not, especially if you drive your car in a very sedate manner. But on the other hand, Chevrolet expects these pieces to be scraped over time and they are easily and inexpensively replaced; if you want to retain 100 percent of their performance without suffering the indignities of seeing their scrapes and scratches, then replace them."
02-06-2014, 11:45 AM
#34
Le Mans Master
I'm always curious about those who will make mods to the aerodynamics or other functional parts simply because of appearance.
I'm hoping those people never drive fast enough or far enough to cause them problems. Unfortunately, the next owner may not know what has been done and it could affect them.
While a tall full length spoiler may look cool and removing the front air dam because it seems ugly, the combination can easily disrupt the airflow design and cause a high speed disaster. Stuff happens real fast at 180 and recovery from a problem is not always possible.
I'm hoping those people never drive fast enough or far enough to cause them problems. Unfortunately, the next owner may not know what has been done and it could affect them.
While a tall full length spoiler may look cool and removing the front air dam because it seems ugly, the combination can easily disrupt the airflow design and cause a high speed disaster. Stuff happens real fast at 180 and recovery from a problem is not always possible.
02-06-2014, 12:29 PM
#37
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02-06-2014, 05:23 PM
#38
Le Mans Master
Why do some many Vette owners spend so much time and money worrying about the air dam scraping and try to "fix" it? It's a wear item. The Owner's Manual (that most owners don't read) says it's a wear item and it doesn't hurt to scrape it. It hurts nothing when it rubs. It is also part of the cooling system design.
02-06-2014, 10:45 PM
#40
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The air dam and side pieces cost GM money to buy and labor time to install at the plant.
If there wasn't a good reason for them, they would have been deleted during the nine year production run, like several other parts were.
Depending on how you drive, remove might not cause any problems.
Or it might. I don't get paid to be a test pilot any more.
If there wasn't a good reason for them, they would have been deleted during the nine year production run, like several other parts were.
Depending on how you drive, remove might not cause any problems.
Or it might. I don't get paid to be a test pilot any more.