Radiator Underside Shield Protector
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
Radiator Underside Shield Protector Question
Anyone uses this underside radiator shield http://www.mamotorworks.com/opener.htm?618140 to protect their radiator from leaves/paper and other road debris that could become stuck to the radiator?
I'm looking to buy one on the forum, but no hits. Are they any good, I know they are perforated to allow air to flow, has anyone had any problems with them? Thanks guys.....
I'm looking to buy one on the forum, but no hits. Are they any good, I know they are perforated to allow air to flow, has anyone had any problems with them? Thanks guys.....
Last edited by renegad44; Feb 13, 2008 at 06:26 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,300
Likes: 3
From: Mississauga, Ontario Corvettes were built to be driven...not trailered
St Jude Donor '07-'08-'09
I got the screen version from Mid America but haven't put it on yet. Last summer was up in that cavity 2-3 times cleaning out papers. leaves, etc. Car never overheated but since I was ordering some stuff from MA, I thought, what the hell, might as well get one. Good insurance
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 158
Likes: 18
From: Washington state
I actually just put one of those on however haven't driven the car much since (keeps raining). I expect it to work very well for leaves & hay as I seem to be consantly getting behind hay trucks for some reason.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 0
From: Southwestern OH
St. Jude Donor '08
When you run over the dog
Seriously, I have taken so much garbage out of the top of the radiator....here's the one I want:
http://www.pfyc.com/pc/VT1051/VTEXT/...or+Screen.html
Seriously, I have taken so much garbage out of the top of the radiator....here's the one I want:
http://www.pfyc.com/pc/VT1051/VTEXT/...or+Screen.html
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 8,995
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
i was about to ask that. 
Here's my $5 solution. Build your own: Materials from home depot in the building materials section. (not exactly sure the name but it looks similar to race mesh.
I have a enough material on the roll to make 10 more screens like this.
Here's my $5 solution. Build your own: Materials from home depot in the building materials section. (not exactly sure the name but it looks similar to race mesh.
I have a enough material on the roll to make 10 more screens like this.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 5,548
Likes: 41
From: Conn.
St. Jude Donor '21
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
Lot's of leaves and country roads I travel on, and have noticed twice this year all the leaves that are stuck on the radiator. So I need to remedy that situation for the next leaf season.
Don't think that will keep out dog hair..
"Seriously, I have taken so much garbage out of the top of the radiator....here's the one I want:
http://www.pfyc.com/pc/VT1051/VTEXT/...or+Screen.html "
That one's $10. cheaper than the one I posted....
"Here's my $5 solution. Build your own: Materials from home depot in the building materials section. (not exactly sure the name but it looks similar to race mesh."
The Home Depot solution may be the best.
Thanks guys, I knew I could find answers and ideas here.....
Don't think that will keep out dog hair..
"Seriously, I have taken so much garbage out of the top of the radiator....here's the one I want:
http://www.pfyc.com/pc/VT1051/VTEXT/...or+Screen.html "
That one's $10. cheaper than the one I posted....
"Here's my $5 solution. Build your own: Materials from home depot in the building materials section. (not exactly sure the name but it looks similar to race mesh."
The Home Depot solution may be the best.
Thanks guys, I knew I could find answers and ideas here.....
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
Did the same thing to mine almost three years ago, its still working.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 610
Likes: 1
From: Bluffton SC
Yes they work. Since C5's are bottom feeders they suck everything on the road up into the radiator cavity. If you want to keep your cool and not have to clean that area out frequently buy it. I wouldn't drive my car without one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 0
From: Southwestern OH
St. Jude Donor '08
Lot's of leaves and country roads I travel on, and have noticed twice this year all the leaves that are stuck on the radiator. So I need to remedy that situation for the next leaf season.
Don't think that will keep out dog hair..
"Seriously, I have taken so much garbage out of the top of the radiator....here's the one I want:
http://www.pfyc.com/pc/VT1051/VTEXT/...or+Screen.html "
That one's $10. cheaper than the one I posted....
"Here's my $5 solution. Build your own: Materials from home depot in the building materials section. (not exactly sure the name but it looks similar to race mesh."
The Home Depot solution may be the best.
Thanks guys, I knew I could find answers and ideas here.....
Don't think that will keep out dog hair..
"Seriously, I have taken so much garbage out of the top of the radiator....here's the one I want:
http://www.pfyc.com/pc/VT1051/VTEXT/...or+Screen.html "
That one's $10. cheaper than the one I posted....
"Here's my $5 solution. Build your own: Materials from home depot in the building materials section. (not exactly sure the name but it looks similar to race mesh."
The Home Depot solution may be the best.
Thanks guys, I knew I could find answers and ideas here.....
I'll try the Home Depot/Lowes route first.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
I've had the DIY Home Depot version for over 3 years. I installed it right after I looked into the catch area and found the source of the foul smell...dead bird!
Here are some lessons learned in that time:
1. Small debris will still pass by the screen so periodic cleaning is necessary.
2. I designed mine so that the front end of the screen attached to the screws already present in the air dam. I did not secure the rear of the screen, I simply rested in on top of the cross member beneath the engine. That way I could move it out of the way to clean the catch area without having to unscrew the entire screen.
3. So far no dead birds, opossom, or plastic bags...I commute in a very rural area!
Here are some lessons learned in that time:
1. Small debris will still pass by the screen so periodic cleaning is necessary.
2. I designed mine so that the front end of the screen attached to the screws already present in the air dam. I did not secure the rear of the screen, I simply rested in on top of the cross member beneath the engine. That way I could move it out of the way to clean the catch area without having to unscrew the entire screen.
3. So far no dead birds, opossom, or plastic bags...I commute in a very rural area!
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
OK, finished mine today. Used #23GA Hardward Wire $8.99/Ace Hardware, attached it the same way TheRadioFlyer did his. It looks better than this picture, and it's gonna work....
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I've made my own for previous cars, but elected to buy one this time from ELITE ENGINEERING...
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...rockers001.jpg
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n...rockers001.jpg
Wil Cooksey #256
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,814
Likes: 24
From: Sacramento Kalifornia
These screens will definately reduce the problem, but not eradicate the problem because there is still small stuff that can get in. I had MSI pull my radiator/condenser last summer, seperate them and clean both. Now it runs a lot cooler. The main problem is the small space between the condenser and the radiator (which is behind it).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 0
From: Southwestern OH
St. Jude Donor '08
Looks great, next warm day I doing it. Did you use factory mounting points or did you have to screw in new holes
These screens will definately reduce the problem, but not eradicate the problem because there is still small stuff that can get in. I had MSI pull my radiator/condenser last summer, seperate them and clean both. Now it runs a lot cooler. The main problem is the small space between the condenser and the radiator (which is behind it).
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,506
Likes: 0
From: This is not a Song, It's an Outburst: Or, The Establishment Blues; Sixto Diaz Rodriguez
[QUOTE=CJR2;1564116195]Looks great, next warm day I doing it. Did you use factory mounting points or did you have to screw in new holes
5 screws up front, you'll see them once you get under there, see them where all the scratches are on my under bumper? I ran the screen all the way to the back to cover both radiators so I used two other ss screws to secure at the back. Real simple, take off your center shroud (4 bolts), and it's easy. I'm old, move slow and total took me about 2 hours from jacking it up, and of course enjoying a cigar while working, that slows me down.....
I cleaned the radiators real good while I was in the mood, used a long narrow stiff brush to get between the two radiators, scrubbed both real good to loosen what little was under there, quick rinse with the garden hose, and than started the install. I've been under there a couple times before with the garden hose hitting the radiators, so they weren't that bad.
50 4Ever had a good idea of how he had his cleaned, I might look into that myself.
5 screws up front, you'll see them once you get under there, see them where all the scratches are on my under bumper? I ran the screen all the way to the back to cover both radiators so I used two other ss screws to secure at the back. Real simple, take off your center shroud (4 bolts), and it's easy. I'm old, move slow and total took me about 2 hours from jacking it up, and of course enjoying a cigar while working, that slows me down.....
I cleaned the radiators real good while I was in the mood, used a long narrow stiff brush to get between the two radiators, scrubbed both real good to loosen what little was under there, quick rinse with the garden hose, and than started the install. I've been under there a couple times before with the garden hose hitting the radiators, so they weren't that bad.
50 4Ever had a good idea of how he had his cleaned, I might look into that myself.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
I looked into building one, but decided to just buy one that would just fit.
Well......it took me several hours to get this one installed. Had to re-shape it and make it work. I am not sure why, but this is the story. It still restricts the movement of my center air-dam but not too much
RESULTS: No more debris in the condenser. You still run the risk of the occasional Wal-Mart bag blocking the whole area so watch out!
OPINION: Worth it regardless if you build or buy.
Well......it took me several hours to get this one installed. Had to re-shape it and make it work. I am not sure why, but this is the story. It still restricts the movement of my center air-dam but not too much
RESULTS: No more debris in the condenser. You still run the risk of the occasional Wal-Mart bag blocking the whole area so watch out!
OPINION: Worth it regardless if you build or buy.