Plastic guard under front bumper...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,167
Likes: 5
From: Holly Ridge North Carolina
Plastic guard under front bumper...
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?
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?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 9
From: Eddy Texas
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.
Last edited by c5streak; Apr 19, 2008 at 07:03 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,020
Likes: 9,775
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
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
Bill
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
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?
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?
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.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,167
Likes: 5
From: Holly Ridge North Carolina
thanks guys
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17
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From: Topsail Island NC
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Newark, DE
St. Jude Donor '06
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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.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 480
Likes: 0
From: Laredo Texas
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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.
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.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 1
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.
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Its function is probably heat dissipation.
__________________
I bought my Bumper Plastic Guard here.
https://www.jiuchi-parts.com
__________________
I bought my Bumper Plastic Guard here.
https://www.jiuchi-parts.com
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,956
Likes: 520
From: Da U.P.
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.
