When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Anyone had experience with these screens that protect big debris from getting up into the radiator? I was checking under the car and it did have some old grass as well as some minor bag debris up into the radiator. I had just cleaned it a few months ago when putting a new lower radiator support. Just curious if its worth the effort or if everyone passes on these. Corvette Radiator Protective Screen : C5 & Z06 | eBay
I use a homemade version. It does keep most of the garbage out of the radiator. You can get the material at Home Depot or Lowe's.
I did the same thing after a trip a few years ago to the Tail of The Dargon in the fall. Sucked up so many leaves that I had to stop at least 2 times a day and clean them out. As soon as I got home I made a screen.
If you look real close you can see a radiator under all those leaves.
I just ordered a radiator intake screen from a Corvette vendor but am returning; it was D.O.A.
The screen sits flat across the intake opening and prevents the center air dam from pivoting in the event you (for example) strike road debris, drag the air dam when navigating a nasty dip in the road or driveway transition. I expected that it would have been designed / engineered to not compromise functionality of the air dam...especially for $40 for a piece of screen mesh.
I think the intake screen idea is a good one, but the middle area of the screen would need to be contoured in a radius bend upward so that it would allow the center air dam to pivot as needed.
Last edited by M.Y.02Z06; Dec 8, 2021 at 04:12 PM.
Reason: Details, details...
I took the radiator out for balancer replacement and found it full or grass again about 6 months ago from parking in the yard a couple times. The car is stock ride height but still managed to pull up a bunch of grass. I guess you would have to park on concrete, driveway or asphalt and avoid driving in the yard so a screen would be a good idea.
Anyone had experience with these screens that protect big debris from getting up into the radiator? I was checking under the car and it did have some old grass as well as some minor bag debris up into the radiator. I had just cleaned it a few months ago when putting a new lower radiator support. Just curious if its worth the effort or if everyone passes on these. Corvette Radiator Protective Screen : C5 & Z06 | eBay
Bought this several years ago. Don’t remember where. But I bought it after pulling a pile of leaves and debris off the radiator from a fall drive.
[QUOTE=oh1vette;1604410234]I had the elite engineering one on my 01 and it worked great.....[
I’m running the Elite Engineering screen with my Callaway Honker CAI and a DeWitts Aluminum radiator and it works very well to prevent larger leaves, bags, etc. from being sucked up from the road. I still go in and clean out the area every year and can’t believe how much Florida road sand I pick up.
I had the elite engineering one on my 01 and it worked great.....[
I’m running the Elite Engineering screen with my Callaway Honker CAI and a DeWitts Aluminum radiator and it works very well to prevent larger leaves, bags, etc. from being sucked up from the road. I still go in and clean out the area every year and can’t believe how much Florida road sand I pick up.
This is a very good point. I chose to put a screen on in the hopes of preventing large debris and trash (grocery bags) commonly seen on the roadway from getting sucked up onto the radiator but I still visually inspect regularly and plan to do yearly cleaning as well.
This is a very good point. I chose to put a screen on in the hopes of preventing large debris and trash (grocery bags) commonly seen on the roadway from getting sucked up onto the radiator but I still visually inspect regularly and plan to do yearly cleaning as well.
That's why I think based on my experience, the Honker is the best aftermarket CAI for the C5 because it takes advantage of the C5 bottom-feeder design. Unfortunately, the wider, bigger, open mouth then sucks up everything acting like a low-profile street vacuum cleaner in exchange for the additional airflow.
radiator screen
