C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

License Plate Intake Mod Help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 7, 2019 | 09:13 PM
  #1  
Chris Draper's Avatar
Chris Draper
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 516
From: Gilbert, Arizona Currently Own: 1998 Coupe YouTube: My Corvette Life
Default License Plate Intake Mod Help

I recently installed a C7 Carbon vented front splitter. Knowing this would overall decrease the air flow for cooling through the radiator, I pre-planned doing this license plate intake mod to counteract.

My question is, I know you have to cut the hole in the bumper, but is there anything else behind the bumper that needs to be cut? Radiator shroud? Does anyone have photos of this process?
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2019 | 12:01 AM
  #2  
Chris Draper's Avatar
Chris Draper
Thread Starter
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 516
From: Gilbert, Arizona Currently Own: 1998 Coupe YouTube: My Corvette Life
Default

No one?
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2019 | 08:15 AM
  #3  
INSTIG8R's Avatar
INSTIG8R
Racer
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 449
Likes: 158
From: Aiken, SC
Default

You'll have to modify the radiator shroud to get airflow to it. It is sealed from the bottom in relation to where your air filter sits, which is where the license plate mod opens up to. You would want some sort of duct to direct are straight at the radiator so that it doesn't all just escape into the rest of the engine bay
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2019 | 12:20 AM
  #4  
C5Z06CE's Avatar
C5Z06CE
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 314
Likes: 61
Default

Originally Posted by Chris Draper
I recently installed a C7 Carbon vented front splitter. Knowing this would overall decrease the air flow for cooling through the radiator, I pre-planned doing this license plate intake mod to counteract.

My question is, I know you have to cut the hole in the bumper, but is there anything else behind the bumper that needs to be cut? Radiator shroud? Does anyone have photos of this process?
I would rethink your plan here. Directly behind the license plate is the frame. There is a slight gap that you could fit a low profile cooler at an angle (so about 6-7 inches height) but not much room for airflow to your radiator b low the frame. Also this would require cutting the diffuser portion of the radiator shroud to allow air in. It's best to avoid that because the radiator shroud is designed to have a small opening and large expansion diffuser (Traingular shape) which slows down the air allowing the radiator to work more efficiently. If you cut a hole in the center of the lower portion of the diffuser shroud you will disrupt at least some of the airflow to your radiator as it makes turbulent air when colliding with the air from underneath. This will reduce your radiators efficiency. It may not be much of an issue until you get faster and start to push coolant temps but it is best to avoid that situation if you can plan around it. If I were you I would make a better duct to direct airflow to the radiator with ABS plastic which could be heated and shaped easily. In general the area of the opening in the bumper to a radiator should be about 1/3 of the surface area of the radiator as a general rule of thumb.

Good Luck,

C5Z06CE
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To License Plate Intake Mod Help





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:16 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE