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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Front air dam question
There are 3 pieces to the front air dam. The left and right corner valence pieces and the center deflector.
My question is are they supposed to be lined up or is the center deflector supposed to be 4-6" further back than the valence pieces?
There are 3 pieces to the front air dam. The left and right corner valence pieces and the center deflector.
My question is are they supposed to be lined up or is the center deflector supposed to be 4-6" further back than the valence pieces?
As long as we're talking about the air dam, I cut about 1 inch off the bottom of mine with a Dremel. Haven't noticed any difference in how the car drives. Much less scraping on road surfaces. Any input on what these things actually do?
As long as we're talking about the air dam, I cut about 1 inch off the bottom of mine with a Dremel. Haven't noticed any difference in how the car drives. Much less scraping on road surfaces. Any input on what these things actually do?
They direct airflow from the tires at high speeds. It's part of the aero setup of the car.
C5s are bottom feeders meaning the air dam helps to push the air up to the engine bay where the filter is at. When they are removed or missing C5s tend to run a bit hotter and sometimes can overheat.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Some pictures
I snapped a couple pictures. I don't see any evidence that the parts are not installed as they were from the factory. The only thing I did note was there is a screen in the opening of the bumper probably to minimize stuff from reaching the radiator.
Any help/comments would be appreciated.
From: Gilbert, Arizona Currently Own: 1998 Coupe YouTube: My Corvette Life
Originally Posted by norcalace
Because air flowing onto the tires does what?
Tires have the aerodynamics of a brick wall. So the outer corner air deflectors push air around the outside of the tire. The middle sections pushes air up through the radiator.
Tires have the aerodynamics of a brick wall. So the outer corner air deflectors push air around the outside of the tire. The middle sections pushes air up through the radiator.
So "corner air deflectors" are perpendicular to the ground and the lower front portion of the tires are swept back (because they are round) and they are more resistant to air flow than the basically flat air dam? Doesn't pass the common sense test.
Now having said all that the air dams/front spoilers (not to include splitters) are there to deflect air down and away from the body of the car not the tires. The body of the Corvette is somewhat similar to an airplane wing. Air flowing over a wing creates low pressure above the wing. Air flow below the car creates high pressure and together they create lift. Reducing or deflecting air passing under the body reduces the high pressure and hinders lift. All of this is only happening at higher speeds ie 60 mph and up. That's how the air dam got it's name. It blocks air flow thus reducing it's velocity and reducing the car's tendency to lift.
Bernoulli's Principle explained by a laymen.
Last edited by norcalace; May 21, 2018 at 02:01 PM.
I snapped a couple pictures. I don't see any evidence that the parts are not installed as they were from the factory. The only thing I did note was there is a screen in the opening of the bumper probably to minimize stuff from reaching the radiator.
Any help/comments would be appreciated.
Something is definitely not right and perhaps you should consider installing Fangs, as shown in this picture, to avoid further damage:
Damn... your fangs have definitely scrapped against some curbs at some point and it looks like the middle portion of the air dam is bent backwards... the spring isn't forcing it forward like it should. It should look like GCG's pic. I'd say you need new fangs and a new air dam.
Last edited by moncal90; May 21, 2018 at 02:36 PM.
I snapped a couple pictures. I don't see any evidence that the parts are not installed as they were from the factory. The only thing I did note was there is a screen in the opening of the bumper probably to minimize stuff from reaching the radiator.
Any help/comments would be appreciated.
Damn... your fangs have definitely scrapped against some curbs at some point and it looks like the middle portion of the air dam is bent backwards... the spring isn't forcing it forward like it should. It should look like GCG's pic. I'd say you need new fangs and a new air dam.
and the lower radiator support cradle/skid plate, look damaged. I don't know if they could still be repaired, but they need attention, and as mentioned above it might be a good idea to install Fangs to prevent further damage.
That isn't right. The center piece should be angled forward.
The center section is there to deflect air into the radiator. Without it, the coolant temperatures could possibly go up.
The two side deflectors are there for high speed stability. These cars will do over 170 mph right out of the factory. Apparently, these side deflectors help in some way. I would guess they deflect air around front tires as well as deflect air from getting under the car to prevent lift.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by norcalace
So "corner air deflectors" are perpendicular to the ground and the lower front portion of the tires are swept back (because they are round) and they are more resistant to air flow than the basically flat air dam? Doesn't pass the common sense test.
Now having said all that the air dams/front spoilers (not to include splitters) are there to deflect air down and away from the body of the car not the tires. The body of the Corvette is somewhat similar to an airplane wing. Air flowing over a wing creates low pressure above the wing. Air flow below the car creates high pressure and together they create lift. Reducing or deflecting air passing under the body reduces the high pressure and hinders lift. All of this is only happening at higher speeds ie 60 mph and up. That's how the air dam got it's name. It blocks air flow thus reducing it's velocity and reducing the car's tendency to lift.
Bernoulli's Principle explained by a laymen.
I had a C7 and the Z51 option deletes the center air dam and just leaves the two corner valences. Supposedly it was to reduce turbulence to the front wheels.
Front air dam question
Both, the
and the lower radiator support cradle/skid plate, look damaged. I don't know if they could still be repaired, but they need attention, and as mentioned above it might be a good idea to install Fangs to prevent further damage.
