C5 front air dam aero
10-16-2017, 06:51 PM
#1
C5 front air dam aero
I've heard LOTS of conflicting information about the aerodynamic function (or not) of the 2 small air dam extensions left and right of the main (middle) radiator intake air dam.
Some say these are critical to very high speed aerodynamic stability while others say these are for looks only.
As flimsy as they are I can imagine them folding under higher than 100 mph which makes me skeptical about the aero claim.
I do run my car well above 150 mph for an extended amount of time in one specific race so I don't want to screw up high speed aero if that is the purpose of the small pieces.
Also, I do have a trackspec hood heat extractor installed for the primary purpose of removing high pressure in the engine compartment and increasing down force at high speed in case that has some bearing on the discussion. Thanks all...
Some say these are critical to very high speed aerodynamic stability while others say these are for looks only.
As flimsy as they are I can imagine them folding under higher than 100 mph which makes me skeptical about the aero claim.
I do run my car well above 150 mph for an extended amount of time in one specific race so I don't want to screw up high speed aero if that is the purpose of the small pieces.
Also, I do have a trackspec hood heat extractor installed for the primary purpose of removing high pressure in the engine compartment and increasing down force at high speed in case that has some bearing on the discussion. Thanks all...
Popular Reply
10-18-2017, 05:38 AM
Drifting
It stops excessive air from building up in the wheel wells, which not only causes lift, but decreases how much air you can get in to cool the brakes (only a problem on the track). It also stops high velocity, turbulent air coming in under the car from continuing back. You need air underneath to feed the radiator, but not anywhere else; you want as little high velocity air under the car as possible. Also, tires are like a brick wall when they computate drag; best to direct air around them, than to leave them to open frontal air flow.
The front end on the C5 is a tricky one since it bottom feeds the radiator, so you will always have a light front end at real high speeds in stock trim. If you have a vented hood, it greatly reduces that effect. On C5 track cars, it is common to completely cap off the bottom of the car, and turn it into a front breather. Then use a big splitter to get good front downforce, and vent the radiator out the hood. Often times (rules allowing) you see track cars vent their front fenders through the hood as well (important if you have a powerful brake cooling system for track use).
The hood on my car will balloon up so severely at 160mph, you could slide your whole hand between it and the fender. As soon as I cut vents in my hood, I picked up not only high speed stability, but about 20mph in top speed!
At the end of the day, they are good for a street car. Do you NEED them? No. Do they benefit the car in aerodynamically stock trim? Yes.
The front end on the C5 is a tricky one since it bottom feeds the radiator, so you will always have a light front end at real high speeds in stock trim. If you have a vented hood, it greatly reduces that effect. On C5 track cars, it is common to completely cap off the bottom of the car, and turn it into a front breather. Then use a big splitter to get good front downforce, and vent the radiator out the hood. Often times (rules allowing) you see track cars vent their front fenders through the hood as well (important if you have a powerful brake cooling system for track use).
The hood on my car will balloon up so severely at 160mph, you could slide your whole hand between it and the fender. As soon as I cut vents in my hood, I picked up not only high speed stability, but about 20mph in top speed!
At the end of the day, they are good for a street car. Do you NEED them? No. Do they benefit the car in aerodynamically stock trim? Yes.
10-16-2017, 08:09 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
Pro Mechanic
Just remember that when GM tested the C5 for top speed, it was done with all 3 pieces in place...
10-16-2017, 08:33 PM
#3
Administrator
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
Posts: 342,935
Received 19,293 Likes
on
13,966 Posts
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-
'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I have always heard that they help direct the air around the wheel area.
10-17-2017, 12:27 AM
#4
Banned Scam/Spammer
Member Since: May 2007
Location: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
Posts: 15,685
Received 1,319 Likes
on
788 Posts
They probably help. If the car is lowered hard (slammed) the fact they're removed and not being ripped from the bumper (while also damaging the bumper) is better than being installed.
Personally my zo6 is lowered a lot, I removed the side pieces and haven't felt one bit of difference but I haven't driven it to 140+ in a long while. Plenty of bursts up to 120 and feels like it did 12 years ago.
Personally my zo6 is lowered a lot, I removed the side pieces and haven't felt one bit of difference but I haven't driven it to 140+ in a long while. Plenty of bursts up to 120 and feels like it did 12 years ago.
10-17-2017, 05:30 AM
#5
Drifting
They probably help. If the car is lowered hard (slammed) the fact they're removed and not being ripped from the bumper (while also damaging the bumper) is better than being installed.
Personally my zo6 is lowered a lot, I removed the side pieces and haven't felt one bit of difference but I haven't driven it to 140+ in a long while. Plenty of bursts up to 120 and feels like it did 12 years ago.
Personally my zo6 is lowered a lot, I removed the side pieces and haven't felt one bit of difference but I haven't driven it to 140+ in a long while. Plenty of bursts up to 120 and feels like it did 12 years ago.
Last edited by Tsumi; 10-17-2017 at 05:30 AM.
10-17-2017, 01:05 PM
#6
Melting Slicks
At speeds of over 135 mph we were told years ago that if kept the Corvette from becoming a wing and the front end getting lighter. Almost all you track cars use a splitter and canards for that reason. I remember years ago in the C2 vettes, about 125 mph my front end started to rise and my non-ps car felt like it was developing power steering.
A friend had his C5 RP over 165 mph at Brainerd years ago and swore he would never go back without a splitter. He had removed the outer two extensions at that time but it was the first time he had the Corvette up to that speed.
A friend had his C5 RP over 165 mph at Brainerd years ago and swore he would never go back without a splitter. He had removed the outer two extensions at that time but it was the first time he had the Corvette up to that speed.
10-18-2017, 05:38 AM
#7
Drifting
It stops excessive air from building up in the wheel wells, which not only causes lift, but decreases how much air you can get in to cool the brakes (only a problem on the track). It also stops high velocity, turbulent air coming in under the car from continuing back. You need air underneath to feed the radiator, but not anywhere else; you want as little high velocity air under the car as possible. Also, tires are like a brick wall when they computate drag; best to direct air around them, than to leave them to open frontal air flow.
The front end on the C5 is a tricky one since it bottom feeds the radiator, so you will always have a light front end at real high speeds in stock trim. If you have a vented hood, it greatly reduces that effect. On C5 track cars, it is common to completely cap off the bottom of the car, and turn it into a front breather. Then use a big splitter to get good front downforce, and vent the radiator out the hood. Often times (rules allowing) you see track cars vent their front fenders through the hood as well (important if you have a powerful brake cooling system for track use).
The hood on my car will balloon up so severely at 160mph, you could slide your whole hand between it and the fender. As soon as I cut vents in my hood, I picked up not only high speed stability, but about 20mph in top speed!
At the end of the day, they are good for a street car. Do you NEED them? No. Do they benefit the car in aerodynamically stock trim? Yes.
The front end on the C5 is a tricky one since it bottom feeds the radiator, so you will always have a light front end at real high speeds in stock trim. If you have a vented hood, it greatly reduces that effect. On C5 track cars, it is common to completely cap off the bottom of the car, and turn it into a front breather. Then use a big splitter to get good front downforce, and vent the radiator out the hood. Often times (rules allowing) you see track cars vent their front fenders through the hood as well (important if you have a powerful brake cooling system for track use).
The hood on my car will balloon up so severely at 160mph, you could slide your whole hand between it and the fender. As soon as I cut vents in my hood, I picked up not only high speed stability, but about 20mph in top speed!
At the end of the day, they are good for a street car. Do you NEED them? No. Do they benefit the car in aerodynamically stock trim? Yes.
The following 6 users liked this post by ErikwithAK01:
63Corvette (03-31-2018),
c5arlen (09-05-2022),
Clay_from_Verus (10-14-2021),
FOGeologist (03-30-2018),
mre1974 (03-31-2018),
and 1 others liked this post.
10-18-2017, 11:33 AM
#8
Race Director
Member Since: May 2003
Location: Iowa
Posts: 13,995
Received 2,706 Likes
on
1,668 Posts
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16'-'17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22-
'23-'24
At speeds of over 135 mph we were told years ago that if kept the Corvette from becoming a wing and the front end getting lighter. Almost all you track cars use a splitter and canards for that reason. I remember years ago in the C2 vettes, about 125 mph my front end started to rise and my non-ps car felt like it was developing power steering.
A friend had his C5 RP over 165 mph at Brainerd years ago and swore he would never go back without a splitter. He had removed the outer two extensions at that time but it was the first time he had the Corvette up to that speed.
A friend had his C5 RP over 165 mph at Brainerd years ago and swore he would never go back without a splitter. He had removed the outer two extensions at that time but it was the first time he had the Corvette up to that speed.
10-18-2017, 03:02 PM
#13
Drifting
The center piece (or some sort of piece between the spoiler and radiator) is necessary to direct air up to the radiator, unless you convert the Corvette to a front breather.
10-19-2017, 03:27 PM
#14
Just as Tsumi said you also need the center section for airflow directing. As for the ACI type spoiler I did it mainly for a more aggressive look.
10-19-2017, 03:33 PM
#15
02-14-2018, 06:43 AM
#16
Racer
It stops excessive air from building up in the wheel wells, which not only causes lift, but decreases how much air you can get in to cool the brakes (only a problem on the track). It also stops high velocity, turbulent air coming in under the car from continuing back. You need air underneath to feed the radiator, but not anywhere else; you want as little high velocity air under the car as possible. Also, tires are like a brick wall when they computate drag; best to direct air around them, than to leave them to open frontal air flow.
The front end on the C5 is a tricky one since it bottom feeds the radiator, so you will always have a light front end at real high speeds in stock trim. If you have a vented hood, it greatly reduces that effect. On C5 track cars, it is common to completely cap off the bottom of the car, and turn it into a front breather. Then use a big splitter to get good front downforce, and vent the radiator out the hood. Often times (rules allowing) you see track cars vent their front fenders through the hood as well (important if you have a powerful brake cooling system for track use).
The hood on my car will balloon up so severely at 160mph, you could slide your whole hand between it and the fender. As soon as I cut vents in my hood, I picked up not only high speed stability, but about 20mph in top speed!
At the end of the day, they are good for a street car. Do you NEED them? No. Do they benefit the car in aerodynamically stock trim? Yes.
The front end on the C5 is a tricky one since it bottom feeds the radiator, so you will always have a light front end at real high speeds in stock trim. If you have a vented hood, it greatly reduces that effect. On C5 track cars, it is common to completely cap off the bottom of the car, and turn it into a front breather. Then use a big splitter to get good front downforce, and vent the radiator out the hood. Often times (rules allowing) you see track cars vent their front fenders through the hood as well (important if you have a powerful brake cooling system for track use).
The hood on my car will balloon up so severely at 160mph, you could slide your whole hand between it and the fender. As soon as I cut vents in my hood, I picked up not only high speed stability, but about 20mph in top speed!
At the end of the day, they are good for a street car. Do you NEED them? No. Do they benefit the car in aerodynamically stock trim? Yes.
The following users liked this post:
tdf01cycling (06-11-2018)
02-15-2018, 08:10 PM
#19
Drifting
At the track I take mine side pieces off because they actually trip the staging beams instead of the front tires. My car traps 150 (old cam) and has zero stability issues doing so. With the new setup it should add 7-10mph and wouldn't be worried about stability.
With the car's first owner its been 226mph....with the full air dam.
- Travis
With the car's first owner its been 226mph....with the full air dam.
- Travis
02-15-2018, 08:24 PM
#20
At the track I take mine side pieces off because they actually trip the staging beams instead of the front tires. My car traps 150 (old cam) and has zero stability issues doing so. With the new setup it should add 7-10mph and wouldn't be worried about stability.
With the car's first owner its been 226mph....with the full air dam.
- Travis
With the car's first owner its been 226mph....with the full air dam.
- Travis
