Skid plates dumb question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 783
Likes: 610
From: Ohio
Skid plates dumb question
I am new to C5s and have been looking at a bunch of parts suppliers.
I see skid plates featured on some suppliers pages.
Are these skid plates a real thing needed for a race car or street car?
Just curious if it's real or hype?
Thanks.
I see skid plates featured on some suppliers pages.
Are these skid plates a real thing needed for a race car or street car?
Just curious if it's real or hype?
Thanks.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 291
Likes: 68
From: Birmingham Alabama
There are no dumb questions and your new Zcar looks great. Are you referencing the skid plate assembly/radiator support which you already have or the protective devices(fangs, wheels, etc.) installed on the leading edge of the support bracket exposed to speed bumps and driveways?
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,108
Likes: 24,732
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
If you add a bit more information as to what exactly you are looking for it would help with an answer.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 783
Likes: 610
From: Ohio
I am not looking for anything, just information if after market skid plates, fangs or wheels are something people put on their cars. Being new to the C5 Z06 I want to maintain it well and avoid damage. I haven't even looked under the front end to see if there is already something added. Thank you.
Last edited by shipahoy; Mar 29, 2018 at 06:51 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
The "fangs" that people put on their cars actually do serve a purpose. If you look under the front fascia there are two small protrusions between the center air dam and the side air deflectors. This is the lower radiator support. The lower radiator support is a large rack looking piece that is commonly scraped up by accidentally hitting parking humps, that sort of thing. The "fangs" install over these to give some support to the structure.
The entire lower radiator support is still a produced part and is, relatively speaking, affordable. The "fangs" can mitigate needing a replacement and are a good thing to have if you plan to drive your car frequently.
The entire lower radiator support is still a produced part and is, relatively speaking, affordable. The "fangs" can mitigate needing a replacement and are a good thing to have if you plan to drive your car frequently.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,275
Likes: 739
From: Miami FL
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 543
From: Appleton WI
The Fangs not only help support the stock frame, they also slide over the surface you contact easier than the steel. Well worth the investment in my opinion. I try not to drive by feel but occasionally you do encounter a driveway or speed bump that catches you off guard. Makes the experience a little less traumatic.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 7,469
Likes: 136
From: SacCityCorvette.com in Sacramento Ca Join us on Facebook!
St. Jude Donor '12,'13,'15,'16,'17
Hi,
The Fangs not only look good, you only loose 1/8" of ground clearance, the skid plates are protected front to back, the type of plastic used in manufacturing the Fangs is like a bearing surface, it allows the Skid Plates to slide releaving the stress that can break the lower radiator support, unlike when the steel digs in and creates heavy friction that breaks the support. Here is a link with more info and videos.
http://www.saccitycorvette.com/C5Products.html
The Fangs not only look good, you only loose 1/8" of ground clearance, the skid plates are protected front to back, the type of plastic used in manufacturing the Fangs is like a bearing surface, it allows the Skid Plates to slide releaving the stress that can break the lower radiator support, unlike when the steel digs in and creates heavy friction that breaks the support. Here is a link with more info and videos.
http://www.saccitycorvette.com/C5Products.html
__________________
Don't forget to check out our products at www.saccitycorvette.com
If you like our products, tell others! If not, tell us!
Don't forget to check out our products at www.saccitycorvette.com
If you like our products, tell others! If not, tell us!
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 7,469
Likes: 136
From: SacCityCorvette.com in Sacramento Ca Join us on Facebook!
St. Jude Donor '12,'13,'15,'16,'17
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
i havent done the fangs but did do the rocker rails from elite enginering
makes jacking up easy
makes jacking up easy
Last edited by bobs77vet; Mar 30, 2018 at 10:24 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 471
From: S.E. Pennsylvania
The Fangs not only help support the stock frame, they also slide over the surface you contact easier than the steel. Well worth the investment in my opinion. I try not to drive by feel but occasionally you do encounter a driveway or speed bump that catches you off guard. Makes the experience a little less traumatic.
Are these fangs available for all years of C5?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 783
Likes: 610
From: Ohio
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 7,469
Likes: 136
From: SacCityCorvette.com in Sacramento Ca Join us on Facebook!
St. Jude Donor '12,'13,'15,'16,'17
Hi,
All C5's use the same Fangs. You can find them here.
http://www.saccitycorvette.com/Fangs.html
Thank you,
Christian
All C5's use the same Fangs. You can find them here.
http://www.saccitycorvette.com/Fangs.html
Thank you,
Christian
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 155
Likes: 4
From: Florida
Hi,
All C5's use the same Fangs. You can find them here.
http://www.saccitycorvette.com/Fangs.html
Thank you,
Christian
All C5's use the same Fangs. You can find them here.
http://www.saccitycorvette.com/Fangs.html
Thank you,
Christian
Will give more info once I receive them and install.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 7,469
Likes: 136
From: SacCityCorvette.com in Sacramento Ca Join us on Facebook!
St. Jude Donor '12,'13,'15,'16,'17
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 346
Likes: 42
I am not looking for anything, just information if after market skid plates, fangs or wheels are something people put on their cars. Being new to the C5 Z06 I want to maintain it well and avoid damage. I haven't even looked under the front end to see if there is already something added. Thank you.
The fang protectors are a great addition, and way cleaner than the little wheels that some folks have, and are a great addition.
If you are looking for some protection for the bumper cover itself, I might have something you would be interested in.
C5 with ProTEKt skid plates
I have posted a thread here in the forums, and you can check it out here.