I just had Kooks headers installed and added the kit here:
The idea was to increase cooling for the new headers. But it seems like I'm missing an important pan or cowl part that helps direct the airflow from the air-dam to the radiator. I look past my radiator straight down to the pavement. Seems like the missing part should block this view. The car overheated with just the air-dam in place. If someone could point me to the name of this part or even better, a source, I'd be very grateful. Thanks!

 

This piece?

 

I would guess so...any idea what it's called?

 

Here is the part #

10254256

 

probably easier if you would take pictures of your engine bay and where you suspect missing something....we will be able to say.

 

That's the shroud that attaches and sits in front of the radiator. If your looking down in front of the radiator and seeing the ground you are probably missing this part, which directs the air from under to the radiator. C5's are bottom feeders, the air comes from under the nose.

 

That part (#2) creates a low pressure which helps the air to bend upward and through the AC condenser & Radiator. Without it there just won't be enough air flow across them.

 

Hopefully the part is still available through your GM dealer or if not, try a place like Vettenuts (forum used parts vendor).

 

Sorry so dirty...just back from the shop AND I live off a gravel road. Here's a look at the area with the cool intake system. Is there another radiator cowl besides the one forward of the radiator? You can see the pavement past the fan. With a pan or cowl down low it might also keep rocks from flying up into the engine bay. Is part 10254256 the one that says Caution Fan on it?




Here's a look closer up and just past the fan. Seems like a piece needs to sit down under this and take the flow from the air-dam and draw it up into the engine bay. Hope someone can share a picture of the same area on theirs.


Here's the Kook's. Went with Lava Wrap for cooling. They smoked a bit when first installed but that only lasted about 1/2 hour. The mechanic was impressed with them. I can't believe how much better it runs. Used to gurgle and spit while shifting...with Borla system acting like a megaphone. Added X-pipes and went with cats...mostly due to availability. I didn't much care for the smell it used to make either...not great for a convertible.

 

Here's pics:


close up in front of the fan

I guess the shroud is there: caution fan written on it.

The middle air-dam piece alone caused the car to overheat. Side pieces didn't fit because of wheels on the skid bar. Still, can't imagine they would help force the air up correctly. Anything missing? I'd be interested to see someone's working setup with similar pics. Car temp is fine like this with no air-dam pieces...just worry it would be better if setup as designed. Thanks!

 

It doesn't appear that you are missing anything in your pics. the "caution fan" part is the upper radiator support, and the gap between the fan assembly and engine is normal. Have you tried cleaning your radiator and condenser?

 

"RB211" is correct. You are not missing anything. C5 has no panel between the bottom of the radiator and the front of the front cradle.
Cooling air flows in through the bottom of the front fascia, though the radiator, then down and out then under the car.

You say the car "overheated" but, can you be more specific?
What was the ECT?
What kind of driving were you doing?
Does the cooling fan work?
Is the air dam intact?
Is air flow though the radiator restricted with dirt or debris?

 

 

Hi guys. I was about 10 miles from the shop...just picked it up after the header install. Just started hitting some rolling hills. I was thinking about how good it sounded and then the CHECK GAUGES light came on...temp was pegged at 260. I quickly got off the road and called the shop. As I did the temp went down to normal. I cranked the heat all the way up and headed back to the shop...slowly. It was trying to overheat the whole time, slightly rising as I corrected by slowing down, but I kept it well below 260. The only part of the front air-dam that would easily mount was the long middle part. The mechanic plugged in the analyzer and looked over all the heat sensors...nothing wrong. The air-dam piece hanging down reminded me of a snowplow on a truck I was once driving down the highway and it kept overheating. It just blocked air getting to the radiator. We took it off and I drove on down the road with no issues. I took it on a nice long drive yesterday 100 miles roundtrip...no issues.

Mine is cooling ok, but I sure would like it to be drawing air like it is suppose to. My radiator must be pretty clean to be working well without this system in place. Do you guys thing the side pieces could make THAT much difference? The mechanic thought it must need something to take the air from above the dam and "trap" it for the radiator. Another feature of the air-dam is to prevent up-drafting or air from pushing the car up from the road.

I can't tell if the air-dam is designed to take the air that rises in front of it or passes beneath it. I've drawn a quick sketch below. If it's a bottom breather it would seem to somehow draw up air while at the same time pushing it from around the car. I just don't see it and am hesitant to spend the time to put everything back on and have it overheat again some distance into a test drive.

Crude drawing of how air might flow around the air-dam...how does the radiator and air intake get a constant air supply?

 

Hi Hib, I read all your questions and tried to answer them. I'm afraid I raised a few more. Hoping you can help clarify your understanding of how the air is suppose to flow into the radiator and air intake.

You mention the front fascia...air flows beneath this and then hits the air-dam, correct? Am I missing another body piece that sits in front of the air-dam?

Sorry to be so dense! It's hard for me to tell what Chevy had in mind after these cars have been modified over 20 years. I'm not even sure all these ground effects are all that practical for a driver in rural Arkansas. LOL

 

If the air dam is vertical as you have indicated in your drawing, that could be the issue. It is supposed to be angled back which forces air up into the radiator as the car is moving.

As Hib asked, are your cooling fans working? The low speed fan comes on at 219*, the high speed fan comes on at 230ish IIRC. Both will cut off above 39mph.

 

I think you must be connecting the air dam incorrectly. When installed properly, the air dam is actually what funnels the air air up where it needs to be. I have a custom airbox with an intercooler with my supercharger setup. So mine isn't exactly the same. However, I have attached some picture of mine that should make this a bit clearer.

 

I think you guys are right but please check out my pics to see if it looks right. When the mechanic pulled it off I noticed he had used self drilling metal screws so I think he used the "drain holes" in front of the rivet-nuts made for this connection. My only worry now is whether or not the back end of the air-dam needs to feed up above the radiator bracket. Are the aluminum arms supposed to help support this piece somehow?

Thanks

 

Definitely wrong. Looks like it is upside down. Not driving mine today to snap a pic of how it is supposed to be, but will when I get home if someone doesn’t beat me to it.

 

I'll be glad to see the correct orientation. This is how it looks to be installed according to the diagram on Amazon where I bought it from Midwest Corvette. The little studs appear to be for potential dragging over dips. I'm just stumped...