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C6 Corvette ZR1 & Z06General info about GM’s Corvette Supercar, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Suspension Setup for Street or Track
Hi, took a piece of drywall center hit to grill, stove it in good. Missed the front clip though. Question, any worthwhile options/upgrades for the grill? Suggestions where to buy?
Thanks all.
While I'm at it, I'm thinking of a small splitter/lip. Does anyone make one that withstands the scraping I know will happen. Like some rubbery material? I'm thinking NOT fiberglass or carbon fiber due to the obvious.
Pics would help the thread. One could assume that if all that broke was the plastic insert grill, advice on a replacement wouldn't be needed. There's several vendors that sell aftermarket and OEM replacements out there. The way I read your initial post, it wasn't very clear what was broken.
Pics would help the thread. One could assume that if all that broke was the plastic insert grill, advice on a replacement wouldn't be needed. There's several vendors that sell aftermarket and OEM replacements out there. The way I read your initial post, it wasn't very clear what was broken.
Ok, don't want to get into with you, but broke the grill and missed the front clip seems pretty clear to me. Maybe you didn't know what a front clip is, so sorry, here's a def. for you:
What is the front clip on a car?
A front clip consists of the complete body parts from the front: radiator support, front fenders, hood, and bumper, spoilers, lights etc. It is usually from the hood and fenders and on.
So just grill, period. I am asking for advice on replacement. Please pass on this thread if you just want to argue. I am already pizzed enough that some azzhat doesn't know how to tie a load down. Don't need more chit here.
Ok, don't want to get into with you, but broke the grill and missed the front clip seems pretty clear to me. Maybe you didn't know what a front clip is, so sorry, here's a def. for you:
What is the front clip on a car?
A front clip consists of the complete body parts from the front: radiator support, front fenders, hood, and bumper, spoilers, lights etc. It is usually from the hood and fenders and on.
So just grill, period. I am asking for advice on replacement. Please pass on this thread if you just want to argue. I am already pizzed enough that some azzhat doesn't know how to tie a load down. Don't need more chit here.
I hear ya - I took a chunk of plywood to the same area. I looked around but never found an upgrade replacement that I liked. Subscribing to thread in case you get something.
I hear ya - I took a chunk of plywood to the same area. I looked around but never found an upgrade replacement that I liked. Subscribing to thread in case you get something.
I am leaning towards oem but maybe add a little splitter if I find one that will hold up to the scraping.
Thanks for a nice post.
Splitter your options are pretty much fiberglass, plastic or carbon fiber. Personally I seem to destroy at least 1 splitter per year so carbon fiber is out. ABS is ok but it flexes so much I actually had one pull itself under the car during a high speed pull. So ive settled on fiberglass because they are stiff and cheap to replace when they break.
I bought a replacement grill off eBay 3 yrs ago. And since the bumper was coming off anyway I also got a splitter reinforcement from RPI (intending to buy a splitter later on), as well as a removable screw-in tow hook from Phoenix (obviously only for track use but could come in handy one day, so its kept in the rear cubby)
I did buy a carbon splitter later, but honestly don't recommend one. I do track the car and thought it might look pretty too. One thing i did however is put some protective bodyside molding on the underneath, before I installed it. Believe me...this has been put to good use quite often
side molding under splitter
Also, since I track the car and its impossible to access behind the grill for cleaning, I tie-wrapped some cheap plastic gutter guard (dollar store) onto the grill to prevent track marbles (melted rubber) from being swallowed
Having said all that, I noticed another Z06 at a track, where the owner had his grill secured with virtually invisible black screws countersunk into the plastic....so it could be easily removed from the outside, without removing the entire bumper. Since, I've already had to remove my bumper several times (PITA), I think this is a great idea and if it ever comes off again, will do the same thing. It's not noticeable unless you look very closely and makes it way easier to clean behind.
Good luck...and thanks for the 'how to' videos you've posted.
I bought a replacement grill off eBay 3 yrs ago. And since the bumper was coming off anyway I also got a splitter reinforcement from RPI (intending to buy a splitter later on), as well as a removable screw-in tow hook from Phoenix (obviously only for track use but could come in handy one day, so its kept in the rear cubby)
I did buy a carbon splitter later, but honestly don't recommend one. I do track the car and thought it might look pretty too. One thing i did however is put some protective bodyside molding on the underneath, before I installed it. Believe me...this has been put to good use quite often
side molding under splitter
Also, since I track the car and its impossible to access behind the grill for cleaning, I tie-wrapped some cheap plastic gutter guard (dollar store) onto the grill to prevent track marbles (melted rubber) from being swallowed
Having said all that, I noticed another Z06 at a track, where the owner had his grill secured with virtually invisible black screws countersunk into the plastic....so it could be easily removed from the outside, without removing the entire bumper. Since, I've already had to remove my bumper several times (PITA), I think this is a great idea and if it ever comes off again, will do the same thing. It's not noticeable unless you look very closely and makes it way easier to clean behind.
Good luck...and thanks for the 'how to' videos you've posted.
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That's a smart looking setup. Kudo's. Please if they still sell them post a link or info on the splitter. What does the tow hook attach to? Looks like a Froggy vid coming up.
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That's a smart looking setup. Kudo's. Please if they still sell them post a link or info on the splitter. What does the tow hook attach to? Looks like a Froggy vid coming up.
The tow hook was from Phoenix Performance, but I think they've discontinued them. LG Performance should have them however...
Its a bit of a PITA to attach to the crossmember, but if "I" could do it then anyone can.
I guess GM didn't want to provide one for an aluminum frame car, but thats no excuse for the steel frame cars. I can only imagine the damage that winching onto most flatbeds would do.
Regardless, it appears solid enough and I've used it to winch my car onto the trailer. I would be loath to use it for actually towing the car with cable snapping and jerking, but "what if" you break down on track?
I unscrew it immediately after track days, as it wouldn't be smart to have that as initial point of contact if bumped.
As for the splitter, I've just reopened its brake inlets (underneath, behind is still blocked however), because in addition to my 4" grill ducts, I've also added the inexpensive ZR1/Z07 brake scoops...and they need air from underneath, along with a bit of a trim of the airdam...like the Zr1/Z07s
BTW, I just referred to your great mid-pipe removal video because I'm about to install the DEI tunnel insulation kit...and swap over to ZR1 mufflers (now if I could only wiggle out the originals...taking a break...lol)
Last edited by tommyc6z06; 04-22-2021 at 02:04 PM.
The tow hook was from Phoenix Performance, but I think they've discontinued them. LG Performance should have them however...
Its a bit of a PITA to attach to the crossmember, but if "I" could do it then anyone can.
I guess GM didn't want to provide one for an aluminum frame car, but thats no excuse for the steel frame cars. I can only imagine the damage that winching onto most flatbeds would do.
Regardless, it appears solid enough and I've used it to winch my car onto the trailer. I would be loath to use it for actually towing the car with cable snapping and jerking, but "what if" you break down on track?
I unscrew it immediately after track days, as it wouldn't be smart to have that as initial point of contact if bumped.
As for the splitter, I've just reopened its brake inlets (underneath, behind is still blocked however), because in addition to my 4" grill ducts, I've also added the inexpensive ZR1/Z07 brake scoops...and they need air from underneath, along with a bit of a trim of the airdam...like the Zr1/Z07s
BTW, I just referred to your great mid-pipe removal video because I'm about to install the DEI tunnel insulation kit...and swap over to ZR1 mufflers (now if I could only wiggle out the originals...taking a break...lol)
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Well you are quite a craftsman. Thanks for the info. Did you think about gluing/fixing a little alum scrape strip under the splitter, so it hits 1st and saves the fiberglass?
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Well you are quite a craftsman. Thanks for the info. Did you think about gluing/fixing a little alum scrape strip under the splitter, so it hits 1st and saves the fiberglass?
that’s exactly what the thin body side molding does in my first pic above...where the splitter is shown upside down.
BTW, if you do get one of these, let me know because there are a couple of tricks to its installation due to it having a bit of an undertray
(my muffler #1 is out...after having had to lower the rear subframe )
Last edited by tommyc6z06; 04-22-2021 at 03:24 PM.
Ok, don't want to get into with you, but broke the grill and missed the front clip seems pretty clear to me. Maybe you didn't know what a front clip is, so sorry, here's a def. for you:
What is the front clip on a car?
A front clip consists of the complete body parts from the front: radiator support, front fenders, hood, and bumper, spoilers, lights etc. It is usually from the hood and fenders and on.
So just grill, period. I am asking for advice on replacement. Please pass on this thread if you just want to argue. I am already pizzed enough that some azzhat doesn't know how to tie a load down. Don't need more chit here.
Not the best attitude to get help. We know it sucks - relax man.
For all the helpful guys on the thread, I was able to twist/pull the grill out, did not have to cut the grill up, it's very flexible. Bumper damage is some small rub/scrape down low on the bottom of the opening edge (not thru the primer) so not obvious to see, really got lucky on this one. Still looking for a splitter that will be street friendly, Froggy.
I know a "flexible splitter" is a contradiction. Probably I'd remove for track day.
04-20-2021, 03:36 PM
C6Z front grill question
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