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The front splitters that I've seen for the C5's all seem to reduce the airflow going under the car and through the radiator. I'm interested in a front splitter and ground effects for the benefit of increased downforce, but I will forget about it if it will create any issues with engine temperature.
Does anyone have any insight on this? What kits are better than others? My car is primarily a street car but I plan to do some HPDE events in the future.
As long as you get a splitter that has an opening in the middle (like ACI, Vortex, etc.) then you'll be fine. The ones to avoid are the "ZR style" splitters with small ducts on the outer edges. These block airflow to the center air dam/scoop that directs air to the radiator. Then there are the C5R style which looks like a contoured slab that attaches to the bottom of the fascia. Some have reported increased temps with this style. In this case, alternate airflow routes may need to be investigated.
Bottom line: if you don't restrict airflow to the center scoop, then you'll be OK.
ACI or Vortex splitter works. If you want more and a direct airflow, get the splitter and create a direct tunnel from the mouth of the splitter to the mouth of the radiator under duct. It will make the splitter more functional by creating downforce and push more air effectively into the radiator.
Excuse my shitty drawings but I feel like this helps explain things in a sense.
OK so this is the air flow without a direct tunnel for the splitter to the mouth of the radiator. It is effective but not directly 100%.
This is the airflow with the tunnel from the splitter to the mouth of the radiator. It is more effective as all the air that goes into the mouth of the splitter will go directly towards the radiator, making it 100% airflow in that area.
This last picture is to show how to get rid of the extra air after it passes through the radiator. This releases engine heat and under hood pressures, which in turn helps with downforce. A good set of louvers would be TRACKSPEC GT1 or GT2. I have a set on my car to help with the heat and the underhood pressure made from the 4" high rise. I could really tell the difference in downforce as well.
Once again, sorry for the really bad drawings haha here is a pic of my hood with the louvers. I hope my info helps
I also have the ACI ASF-700 splitter. Here are some representative temps we noticed on a trip to Niagara Falls, Ontario, from the Chicago area, down to Charleston, WV, and then to the Cincinnatti area two weeks ago.
Outside air temps during the drive to Niagara were mild, in the 70's on the expressway. The coolant showed temps between 190 and about 198 or so.
While driving around Niagara in traffic, outside temps high 60's to high 70's, coolant showed 190 to 205.
Day trip to Toronto, Quebec, outside temps in low 70's to low 80's, stuck in stop-and-go traffic entering Toronto, coolant went up to 220-225, but no higher. We had A/C on the whole time, and music, so I could not hear fans going on or off.
Charleston, WV, driving out to restaurant on side roads, outside temp 82, coolant showed 220-225.
Highway driving to Cincy and then on to Chicago, all coolant temps were between 190 and 200.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the looks and coolant temps with the ACI installed.
-Ray
Last edited by GRAND SPORT GUY; Jun 2, 2017 at 06:09 PM.
I bought mine directly from ACI in Toledo...drove down and picked it up. Not sure if they distribute through other retail networks or not. The will ship, of course. Check out their website and go from there.
I also have the ACI ASF-700 splitter. Here are some representative temps we noticed on a trip to Niagara Falls, Ontario, from the Chicago area, down to Charleston, WV, and then to the Cincinnatti area two weeks ago.
Outside air temps during the drive to Niagara were mild, in the 70's on the expressway. The coolant showed temps between 190 and about 198 or so.
While driving around Niagara in traffic, outside temps high 60's to high 70's, coolant showed 190 to 205.
Day trip to Toronto, Quebec, outside temps in low 70's to low 80's, stuck in stop-and-go traffic entering Toronto, coolant went up to 220-225, but no higher. We had A/C on the whole time, and music, so I could not hear fans going on or off.
Charleston, WV, driving out to restaurant on side roads, outside temp 82, coolant showed 220-225.
Highway driving to Cincy and then on to Chicago, all coolant temps were between 190 and 200.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the looks and coolant temps with the ACI installed.
I have the Vortex splitter and I had the same concerns when I was thinking about getting one. With the Vortex splitter my car never gets above 220 on a 95 degree Florida day. The Vortex splitter has a open air vent in the center to allow air to the radiator.
The emblem is the stock C5 logo, but I trimmed off the ring and flagpole extensions, replaced the inserts with the American and checkered flags, and put a smoke tint vinyl over that.
The headlights are Sun Guns, formerly sold via JW Motoring.
The turn signals are clear corners with black internals (ebay if I remember correctly) along with switchback LEDs.
Front splitters and radiator airflow/engine temps
