ckwhite

The Chevrolet Accessories web page for C7 Corvette shows one item identified as the "Front Aero Panel". The image looks like a big rectangular face that mounts in the center of the grille on which you put your front licence plate.

The panel looks nicer than most of the other license mounts, but it also looks larger - even to the point of making me a little concerned that it might restrict airflow and affect cooling.

I guess I shouldn't be too worried since the part is being offered on the Chevrolet Parts Page so it must have been tested on a lot of cars before being offered for sale.

Still, I'd like to hear from others who may have purchased and installed this part.

KenHorse

There are several threads about this already but my Z51 came with both the aero panel and front license plate mount.

The plate mount is ugly IMHO so I opted to mod the aero panel and mount my front plate that way (GM warns about doing this but only because some states' laws don't allow placing the plate that low to the ground. No problem in OR however).

I've had ZERO issues with engine overheating issues, even in 111 degree heat with the aero panel on. I've never had the engine temp go above 220 under those circumstances but is usually around 205 or so

Before and after

C8Jake

TEXHAWK0

You can trim the aero panel down (as shown by C7Jake) to the size of the plate to increase the open area of the grille by about 25% over what it is with the full panel installed. Then you should not have any overheating problems at all. I drove mine on a trip in Texas heat and it still only got to about 212 deg. when moving.


NOTE: The aero panel appears to block a smaller part of the grille than it really does since the outside sections of the stock grille are not even open to airflow.

An estimated area added would be about 2" x 2" x 2 on each side (16 sq. in.) plus maybe 1/2" x 12" x 2 across for top and bottom (12 sq. in.), for a total of approx. 28 sq. in.. (I think there would also be some extra air flow around the edge of the plate and behind it, but I won't count that)

The open area of the grille with the aero panel in place is about 2" x 7" x 4 = 56 sq. in.

percent increase = approx. 28/56 =50%

For reference, the area of the plate is about 12" x 6-1\4" = 75 sq. in., but the open area of the grille behind the plate is less than that.
Best guess is that with the aero panel installed, the open area of the grill is reduced by 50%, and by trimming the panel, it opens approximately 25% more by allowing air flow around the plate. 75% open instead of 50%. Conservatively, it probably opens at least 15%, or 65% total open area.

energystar

so does the areo option [$160.00] only include this piece that takes the place or can be used as a plate holder...isn't this way too expensive when you can get it for 40 bucks [this is what one poster said it costs] at the parts counter...

TEXHAWK0

Someone posted that the $160 option is painted carbon flash instead of just black....
When I ordered 22830069, it has the black mount and the "Corvette" cover, which is not needed with the license plate. You have to get the fasteners separately.

Swt_86

For what it is worth, here is a video of a GM Representative explaining the Aero Panel

doug doo wop

Hi , what size drill did you use? Someone mentioned self tapping screws which means what? No drilling at all? What size screw did you use? Thanks

indy 28

Just use self tapping license plate screws. You can use a sharp punch to start the hole if desired.