Front License Plate and Air Flow
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 16
From: Yorktown Heights NY
Front License Plate and Air Flow
This may be a stupid question, but I've got a front license plate installed (I'm in NY). I'm using the Top Flight Repro mount http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...e-bracket.html. It's a great kit and I like the part, but.... is it possible I'm noticing a reduction in performance because of this plate installation blocking air flow into my (stock) air intake?? I'm also curious what affect this might have if any on aftermarket CAI kits such as Vararam, SLP, etc. I asked on the vendor's thread (the one above) and was assured that the air flow just goes around the plate... Anybody have any thoughts on this either way? Like I said, might be a stupid question but.... 
It seems to me that since I put the plate on, my acceleration isn't quite the same. I guess I could take it off and see for myself, but now the weather has turned up here, so it's really time to just think about all this stuff until spring... argggh. Thanks in advance guys!
FM
It seems to me that since I put the plate on, my acceleration isn't quite the same. I guess I could take it off and see for myself, but now the weather has turned up here, so it's really time to just think about all this stuff until spring... argggh. Thanks in advance guys!
FM
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,044
Likes: 9,808
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
You aren't seeing any reduction unless you are pushing the car hard. Air flow may be restricted slightly when running at wide open throttle with engine rpms above 5K rpm and speeds above 100 mph but even then I doubt it. At WOT and 5K rpm with a 90% air flow efficiency through the intake the car is only consuming about 490 cubic feet of air per minute. I think the front opening is large enough that there is enough air able to get around the plate. Putt putting around town at 30 to 40 % throttle opening (to most people that feels like a lot) you aren't even coming close to blocking the air flow required by the engine.
I take mine off when I go to the track since the Z06 gets its cooling air through the front and running WOT at triple digit speeds for 20 to 30 minutes at a time generates a lot of heat.
Bill
I take mine off when I go to the track since the Z06 gets its cooling air through the front and running WOT at triple digit speeds for 20 to 30 minutes at a time generates a lot of heat.
Bill
