Garrett W

The plastic bumper underneath my front bumper that scrapes every time you go over a steep driveway or something is what im reffering to.

The driveway to my house is pretty steep so everytime i pull out i scrape it just a tiny little bit. I have done this so many times that it just looks horrible. and is all scraped up.

Is this piece important? or would it be alrgiht to just take the thing off comepletely because it has to be the most annoying thing ever.

and if there ever is a really steep driveway the metal guards will save the car anyways...

so are they functional or what?

efranzen

I think it helps direct air up to the radiator. I don't know how much of an effect it would have without it though.

c5streak

It's for air direction to the radiator and to reduce lift at high speeds. They are not that expensive (less than $100) if it gets too ugly for you.

Bill Dearborn

The car is a bottom breather and that spoiler is there to deflect air into the radiator. Without it in place the engine can overheat. The center piece is spring loaded so it can deflect backwards if it hits something. If you are going to be tracking the car on a road course GM actually recommends it be taped so it can't be deflected. At triple digit speeds the air pressure is high enough to make it deflect.

Bill

Point & Shoot

Just take some 150 grit sandpaper and sand the bottom edge where it gets jagged, wash it good and apply some dressing like Aerospace 303........it will look fine. It's not worth replacing unless it is torn.

silverbullit99

Yes it's needed.. can easily be replaced if it starts looking shabby , not that expensive..

Garrett W

dam i got all excited hoping it was there for nothing but i feel stupid for actually beleiving there was no use for it...

Garrett W

I guess im going to try this for now i spent all my money on my long tubesss

thanks guys

Mr. Lucky

You shouldn't remove it, but you can trim it down with no ill effect.

Garrett W

How much is recommended to trim down? wouldnt that just give me like half the use of what its supposed to do?

Realmadrid1919

I bought my vette 2 years ago and that center spoiler was missing when I got it. I drove it for 2 years without it with no problems at all. Just last week I finally got tired of seeing the gap in the center, plus the sides were getting worn down so I bought one and installed it. The car looks better with it than without it in my opinion, but like I said I drove mine for 2 years with out it with no problems, my vette is also dropped to the ground so I don't know it that had any affect on airflow under the car without the spoiler.

Mr. Lucky

I trimmed mine by approximately 1" and been running that way for over 3 years with no problem (and this is with a stroker motor and stock radiator).

Vetteman Jack

You need the plastic air dam to direct air up into the radiator and it also helps smooth air around the front of the car. They are cheap to replace, so just buy some new ones and bolt them on.

camvette91

I got mine from www.gmpartshouse.com but have not yet installed them.

DeeGee

As the guys have said, you need to centre dam to deflect air into the radiator. You'll run hot without it. The end caps are just for aerodynamics. At normal road speeds you probably dont need them but at higher speeds they smooth the airflow under the floor. Without them you'd get eddies which would affect downforce.



The whole set is less than $100 and easy to change. Once you've changed it you may find you make less contact with the driveway if you take it at an angle.

Garrett W

I do take it at an angle if i didnt it would probably scrape my bumper every time.

but great advice pics actually helped

Pastrulo

I was going to make a post about that, my 2014 has a full one, but for some reason I've noticed that 2015's and up only have a shroud that covers the tires, missing the center, I wonder why GM decided to do without the center piece, is it better? Or are they cutting corners.....?

zhonghuanwang

Its function is probably heat dissipation.
__________________
I bought my Bumper Plastic Guard here.
https://www.jiuchi-parts.com

jjc508520

One factor in the decision is whether or not you are running a 165 thermostat or not. I run this - and was planning on trimming 1.5in when I install my new one....

Supercharged111

No, it definitely generates lift at high speeds. It creates a high pressure area in front of itself which is what helps shove the air through the radiator.