C5 Corvette diffuser... a unicorn now?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 37
Likes: 10
C5 Corvette diffuser... a unicorn now?
I've exhausted my search skills. Since I'm a big F1 fan I wanted to add a rear diffuser to the C5 to give it a more exotic look. At least in my opinion. From what I can find there were some vendors looking at making rear diffusers but I can't find any that are currently producing them. I haven't heard back from corvette creationz and c7 carbon looks like they never followed through. Aside from those two I haven't found any other vendors.
Is my search doomed? Does anyone know of a vendor that's actually making rear diffusers for the C5?
Is my search doomed? Does anyone know of a vendor that's actually making rear diffusers for the C5?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 4,308
Likes: 3,455
From: Somewhere, Florida
St. Jude Donor '20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Neither of those are actually functional anyway. I can't believe what they ask for those things.
Those are the only two that I've heard of, though.
Those are the only two that I've heard of, though.
Last edited by Stingroo; Jul 1, 2021 at 10:09 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,823
Likes: 757
From: Marysville Washington
The guys whom actually race these cars, all develop this stuff in house. Everything on the market for sale at a parts joint, is non-functional, and purely just for the Gucci factor. AJ Hartman aero makes awesome proper race gear for the C5. You might look him up and give them a call.
https://ajhartmanaero.com/corvette/c5/
They are a development company, so they're not gonna have everything on the menu on their website fyi.
https://ajhartmanaero.com/corvette/c5/
They are a development company, so they're not gonna have everything on the menu on their website fyi.
Last edited by ErikwithAK01; Jul 2, 2021 at 01:08 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 37
Likes: 10
The guys whom actually race these cars, all develop this stuff in house. Everything on the market for sale at a parts joint, is non-functional, and purely just for the Gucci factor. AJ Hartman aero makes awesome proper race gear for the C5. You might look him up and give them a call.
https://ajhartmanaero.com/corvette/c5/
They are a development company, so they're not gonna have everything on the menu on their website fyi.
https://ajhartmanaero.com/corvette/c5/
They are a development company, so they're not gonna have everything on the menu on their website fyi.
Thanks for the tip! I might end up giving them a call. I'll admit this is just for the Gucci factor. I wanted to add a front splitter, sides and rear diffuser in black or carbon fiber purely for aesthetics. It's a convertible so I won't be racing it and I won't be driving fast enough to notice functional aerodynamics on the road. I'm just a spirited canyon carver.
NCM Lifetime Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 5,341
Likes: 4,286
From: Cunningham, TN
2021 Corvette of the Year - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Winner- Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '18 thru '26
As far as I know, Corvette Creationz still makes the “aesthetic only” rear diffusers and yeah C7 Carbon strung us along for a few years and left us hanging high and dry.
http://corvettecreationz.com/product...user-urethane/
http://corvettecreationz.com/product...rear-diffuser/
I considered one of these, but was just never completely sold on one. There were fitment issues and a second version was made, but it seemed to go silent afterwards.
As for a real functional diffuser on a street car, even if there was one available, I think it would trap an enormous amount of heat in rear of the car, which would be uncomfortable and eventually cause problems with the transmission and rear diff, if coolers weren’t also added.
http://corvettecreationz.com/product...user-urethane/
http://corvettecreationz.com/product...rear-diffuser/
I considered one of these, but was just never completely sold on one. There were fitment issues and a second version was made, but it seemed to go silent afterwards.
As for a real functional diffuser on a street car, even if there was one available, I think it would trap an enormous amount of heat in rear of the car, which would be uncomfortable and eventually cause problems with the transmission and rear diff, if coolers weren’t also added.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 747
Pete (Corvette Creationz) still makes the rear diffusers. He actually just posted on one of the FB groups the other day that he had one or two in stock that could be shipped out right now. I'm with Stingroo though, I can't see spending $900 shipped for one of those things.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 3,955
From: Cincinnati, OH
I hate that they call those stick on rear bumper add-ons a "diffuser"...
If you want a diffuser:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-diffuser.html
If you want a diffuser:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-diffuser.html
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 37
Likes: 10
Pete (Corvette Creationz) still makes the rear diffusers. He actually just posted on one of the FB groups the other day that he had one or two in stock that could be shipped out right now. I'm with Stingroo though, I can't see spending $900 shipped for one of those things.
Which Facebook group is that? I messaged Pete on here a few days ago and didn't hear back. Maybe he's easier to get a hold of on Facebook.
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: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 747
I'd definitely believe it's easier to get ahold of him on FB. He's not the easiest guy to get ahold of in general lol, but he usually replies after a couple attempts max. He's not a vendor here anymore, so he probably spends his time elsewhere I'd imagine. FB Group: C5 Corvette Parts Buy, Sell, Trade
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 37
Likes: 10
I'd definitely believe it's easier to get ahold of him on FB. He's not the easiest guy to get ahold of in general lol, but he usually replies after a couple attempts max. He's not a vendor here anymore, so he probably spends his time elsewhere I'd imagine. FB Group: C5 Corvette Parts Buy, Sell, Trade
Thanks! I just requested to be added.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 10,247
Likes: 888
From: Hickory NC
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '17 thru '26
As far as I am aware, Carbon Creations is still producing the ZR and ZR2 diffusers. These used to be available in your choice of carbon fiber or the fiberglass/poly blend, but I am not sure this is still the case. I have seen the ZR diffuser on different sites in both, but I only remember seeing the ZR2 diffuser in CF lately.
The last I knew Corvette Creationz was still carrying the ZR2 version.
The biggest difference that I am aware of is that the ZR diffuser was designed for the Carbon Creations ZR rear bumper which basically mimics a C6 rear bumper (no back up lights around the license plate frame). Because of this, the ZR diffuser has openings in the lower valance area for OEM C6 Z06 back up lights, and the ZR2 diffuser is smooth there.
Best wishes, OP, in finding the one that will work best for you.
As an aside, I am not sure what kind of aerodynamic benefit, if any, these diffusers are supposed to provide. I believe most are using them to give a slightly different look to the C5 rear bumper area.
The last I knew Corvette Creationz was still carrying the ZR2 version.
The biggest difference that I am aware of is that the ZR diffuser was designed for the Carbon Creations ZR rear bumper which basically mimics a C6 rear bumper (no back up lights around the license plate frame). Because of this, the ZR diffuser has openings in the lower valance area for OEM C6 Z06 back up lights, and the ZR2 diffuser is smooth there.
Best wishes, OP, in finding the one that will work best for you.
As an aside, I am not sure what kind of aerodynamic benefit, if any, these diffusers are supposed to provide. I believe most are using them to give a slightly different look to the C5 rear bumper area.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,080
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
Good luck finding what you are looking for. Hope you can find one that looks good on the car.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 37
Likes: 10
I ended up getting one from a forum member. They had the urethane one from Corvette Creationz they wanted to unload. It's in transit now, once I get the correct wheels and diffuser on I'll post some pics. Thanks for the feedback!