03 front ground effect?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 60
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From: St. Augustine FL
03 front ground effect?
Hi all. I'm looking at an 03 anniversary edition and I'm wondering if the front ground effect is necessary? It is really really low. I have looked at the manual and it says it's hinged and designed to fold upon contact with speed bumps angled driveways etc.....my question is if they know it's that low and going to make contact often then why even have it on? I was thinking of removing it as I don't want to cringe every time I hear my car scrapping. It can't have more than maybe 2 inches or so clearance.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
The C5 by design is a bottom feeder, in that air is directed by that air foil up into the AC condenser, and the radiator. The C5 strains in its ability to transfer heat. That air foil is necessary by design to help in the cooling process.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 197
Likes: 55
From: LA (lower Alabama)
My '03 Z06 is lowered on stock bolts and I thought about the same thing when I bought the car. I eventually figured out what I can drive straight into and what I have to come in at an angle for. But yea, it's LOW.
And I agree with ET. The car needs it. Shouldn't take it off.
And I agree with ET. The car needs it. Shouldn't take it off.
Last edited by 50thz06; Apr 29, 2019 at 07:16 PM. Reason: additional
No Hostility Be Happy
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 10,080
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From: South Hill Wa
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 41
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From: Henderson North Carolina
Actually, the scraping noise is not the pivoting composite air dam but the two metal struts made to absorb the impact of driveways and allows the low front end to slide over rather than tear off vital parts such as radiator supports.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Bill aka ET
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 238
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From: Mechanicsville Va
ET when you give such complete, straight forward, correct, designer experienced, builder's technology, and just plain common sense answers it is no wonder some have to have "better" answers. Your reasons are so "hard" to understand. Maybe a cookie is needed.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 590
Likes: 134
From: Hanover Maryland
I took off the little side pieces. They were so torn up they weren't doing much. The big front center air dam is definitely needed. Like ET said, they didn't just design and test the part for no reason.
I'm sure you can get away without the front dam, but your car will not be cooling itself off nearly as effectively at speed.
I'm sure you can get away without the front dam, but your car will not be cooling itself off nearly as effectively at speed.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 79
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From: Jamestown NC
they test and design and then recall so not all is ok with every thing they design
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 983
Likes: 364
From: Stafford Virginia
Like ET says, its there for a reason. An important reason for sure. But, these cars are individually owned and owners can do what they like with them. Personally, mine is staying right where the designers and engineers wanted it to be.
