Maybe off Corvette, but all C5 !
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,123
Likes: 673
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Maybe off Corvette, but all C5 !
Ok, so lots of us own the fantastic C5. I have a beautiful 1SC Anniversary coupe.
You all know how we C5 lovers. . . also love to mod our babies, But I started with the front bumper and I finished last spring with the back bumper. That's It, there's no more list, I'm done.
But not so fast amigo, I finally have left the sanity grid as I had my spot where my driveway and the street meet. I got tired of listening to the air dam scraping down the concrete decent, so . . . . I had it removed and a more "Swollowed" shape done on the 3 sidewalk blocks and the decent now starts at the sidewalk not the tip of the sidewalk.
It's hard to notice, but if you step out you'll see the slow longer decent isn't so much but it keeps the front end from dragging anymore. I suppose it's just the passage of time, but my aluminum radiator support was hitting the sidewalk after last year. I guess the stock composite spring isn't as strong as it use to be, but now the only scraping is a slight drag of the passengers side air dam.
So there you are, I'm really going need a shrink to talk to, but I'm not only fixing or modding the car itself, now I'm fixing the surface it rolls over. I am . . . .
You all know how we C5 lovers. . . also love to mod our babies, But I started with the front bumper and I finished last spring with the back bumper. That's It, there's no more list, I'm done.
But not so fast amigo, I finally have left the sanity grid as I had my spot where my driveway and the street meet. I got tired of listening to the air dam scraping down the concrete decent, so . . . . I had it removed and a more "Swollowed" shape done on the 3 sidewalk blocks and the decent now starts at the sidewalk not the tip of the sidewalk.
It's hard to notice, but if you step out you'll see the slow longer decent isn't so much but it keeps the front end from dragging anymore. I suppose it's just the passage of time, but my aluminum radiator support was hitting the sidewalk after last year. I guess the stock composite spring isn't as strong as it use to be, but now the only scraping is a slight drag of the passengers side air dam.
So there you are, I'm really going need a shrink to talk to, but I'm not only fixing or modding the car itself, now I'm fixing the surface it rolls over. I am . . . .
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Good looking ride you've got. And good job minimizing the scraping as you go down the driveway.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,789
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville FL
Reminds me of my new house. We are in a neighborhood with lots of new construction. Before taking the Vette out lately, I drive up and down the street in my Van with a blower in one hand so I can blow nails out of the street for about a 1/4 mile section. Nutty!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
I did one better, I removed the rubber air dams and no longer have any issues with rubbing/scraping and IMHO the car looks a whole lot better. What are they for anyways except to look dirty, crooked and scraped up.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Central FL
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,625
Likes: 4,620
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
I copied this in from another thread on the topic:
This is a topic that comes up quite often. My advice is that it’s a bad decision for a high performance sports car capable of 170 mph+. You’re affecting performance and handling if you do.
The C5 is a “bottom feeder” in other words the cooling air which feeds the radiator is drawn in from below. The air deflector in the centre diverts air into the radiator. If you’re in any doubt about the effect of reducing flow into the radiator, pop a plastic shopping bag up there and watch the temperatures rise. To that end it’s important to keep the intake clear of debris. Without it, you’re relying mostly on venturi effect to pull air in. There’s a reason why fitting forced air induction kits gives extra HP. The engine likes to breath. So if you take it off you’ll probably lose a few HP and the engine will run hotter.
The end caps are fitted for different reasons. Basic aerodynamic theory says that if you put a flat plate into the airflow it causes “form” drag. Once air hits the deflector it will naturally flow to the outer ends. When it breaks off it will cause further drag and turbulence. The end caps are aerodynamic fairings and smooth the airflow allowing it to travel efficiently under the car
At high speeds you want smooth airflow under the floor of the car. Turbulence will cause instability and loss of downforce and performance.
The bottom line is that you can remove them but there’s an impact. If you drive around at the National speed limit and avoid Vegas you’ll never notice. If you take it to the track or run in high temperatures it’s not advisable. And if you do take them off, do the right thing and put them back on before you sell the car.
Heres how to replace the air deflector if you go that way:
Air Deflector Replacement - Front Bumper Fascia
Removal Procedure
1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove the center air deflector bolts.
3. Remove the air deflector from the vehicle.
Installation Procedure
1. Position the center air deflector between the side valances.
Notice
Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
2. Install the center air deflector and attaching bolts.
Tighten
Tighten the air deflector bolts to 7 N•m (62 lb in).
3. Lower the vehicle.
The aero pieces just screw on
The C5 is a “bottom feeder” in other words the cooling air which feeds the radiator is drawn in from below. The air deflector in the centre diverts air into the radiator. If you’re in any doubt about the effect of reducing flow into the radiator, pop a plastic shopping bag up there and watch the temperatures rise. To that end it’s important to keep the intake clear of debris. Without it, you’re relying mostly on venturi effect to pull air in. There’s a reason why fitting forced air induction kits gives extra HP. The engine likes to breath. So if you take it off you’ll probably lose a few HP and the engine will run hotter.
The end caps are fitted for different reasons. Basic aerodynamic theory says that if you put a flat plate into the airflow it causes “form” drag. Once air hits the deflector it will naturally flow to the outer ends. When it breaks off it will cause further drag and turbulence. The end caps are aerodynamic fairings and smooth the airflow allowing it to travel efficiently under the car
At high speeds you want smooth airflow under the floor of the car. Turbulence will cause instability and loss of downforce and performance.
The bottom line is that you can remove them but there’s an impact. If you drive around at the National speed limit and avoid Vegas you’ll never notice. If you take it to the track or run in high temperatures it’s not advisable. And if you do take them off, do the right thing and put them back on before you sell the car.
Heres how to replace the air deflector if you go that way:
Air Deflector Replacement - Front Bumper Fascia
Removal Procedure
1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove the center air deflector bolts.
3. Remove the air deflector from the vehicle.
Installation Procedure
1. Position the center air deflector between the side valances.
Notice
Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
2. Install the center air deflector and attaching bolts.
Tighten
Tighten the air deflector bolts to 7 N•m (62 lb in).
3. Lower the vehicle.
The aero pieces just screw on
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,123
Likes: 673
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Super clean! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
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From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
AKA "The CLOWN"
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Chicago South Suburbs
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 752
Likes: 113
From: Charlotte NC
Killian,
This may sound stupid, and may not help you, but it works for me in some places.
I flip the MSRC to sport when approaching speed bumps or coming in and out of driveways. I think stiffening the suspension actually reduces the number of times the air dam drags the road.
Nice looking car you have there, I have an A/E convertible & love the colors.
George
This may sound stupid, and may not help you, but it works for me in some places.
I flip the MSRC to sport when approaching speed bumps or coming in and out of driveways. I think stiffening the suspension actually reduces the number of times the air dam drags the road.
Nice looking car you have there, I have an A/E convertible & love the colors.
George
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,123
Likes: 673
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Ya Know . . .
Killian,
This may sound stupid, and may not help you, but it works for me in some places.
I flip the MSRC to sport when approaching speed bumps or coming in and out of driveways. I think stiffening the suspension actually reduces the number of times the air dam drags the road.
Nice looking car you have there, I have an A/E convertible & love the colors.
George
This may sound stupid, and may not help you, but it works for me in some places.
I flip the MSRC to sport when approaching speed bumps or coming in and out of driveways. I think stiffening the suspension actually reduces the number of times the air dam drags the road.
Nice looking car you have there, I have an A/E convertible & love the colors.
George
Last edited by killain; Nov 22, 2013 at 07:45 PM.
Safety Car
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From: Lake Fork TEXAS