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Another vote to remove them. The center section of the air dams isn't used on Z51 and Z06, therefore it isn't needed as a performance part. Its there to achieve slightly better fuel mileage, something every car manufacturer is struggling to improve.
I removed mine 18 months ago with no problems. I hated getting down low to clean them, hated them looking dirty and scratched. I think looks of the car is much improved, especially if you have a splitter.
Without being privy to the actual aerodynamic tests, difficult to state exact effect, however, in addition to potentially reducing aero drag to improve fuel economy, they generally create a low pressure area behind the radiator to increase airflow through the radiator & improve engine cooling. As far as the appearance goes, this is up to the looker. I generally like the looks of front air dams & have to admit I do not have ground clearance testing high on my list of benefits.
Without being privy to the actual aerodynamic tests, difficult to state exact effect, however, in addition to potentially reducing aero drag to improve fuel economy, they generally create a low pressure area behind the radiator to increase airflow through the radiator & improve engine cooling. As far as the appearance goes, this is up to the looker. I generally like the looks of front air dams & have to admit I do not have ground clearance testing high on my list of benefits.
Cooling could have been an issue with the C6 as it like some Vettes was a bottom breather. The C7 is not. 1/3 of the radiator air goes out the hood vent, the remainder the fender side vents etc. My Z51 has a large plastic panel the keeps undercar air from messing with the designed flow.
The air dam reduces drag, how much has not been published that I am aware. It also increases downforce at high speeds if the center air dam is in place as on base cars. According to Tadge the overall downforce balance at high speed with the rear spoiler on the Z51 was creating excess front downforce causing slight oversteer when slight understeer is preferred so although it was planned, it was removed at the last minute.
Those of us with modified Corvairs and older Porsches know all about high speed oversteer. So did Ralf Nader who wrote a damming book "Unsafe at Any Speed." Although he distorted the facts I'm sure GM didn't want to give him any ammunition to wright another!
The hood duct covers about 1/4 to 1/3 of the radiator and the top half is the hottest so it probably is a good guess! Although I use a large engine driven pull fan in my Street Rod I also added pusher electric fans in the front of the radiator. I can active them with a manual switch on the dash or they automatically come on with a temp switch in the radiator. Need the one up top to get the hottest area cool.
Did find this statement in my file that validates where the cooling air comes from: "Front grille: Primarily serves to provide air to the radiator to cool the motor. 100% of all C7's engine's air comes through this grill, which is different than most C6's -- which were exclusively or partially "bottom breathers" that created a minor amount of front end lift."
There are also statements about the hot air coming out thru the hood creating aerodynamic benefits including downforce.
Tadge addressed this issue in a prior post. He said they affect the vehicle's aerodynamics at speeds over 150 mph. Below that speed the effect is minimal.
Are you sure he didn't say 50 mph? It obviously reroutes the air hitting the tire/wheel-well.
I took them off. I don't drive fast enough to get any benefit from them and I hate the scraping.
Elmer
It does reduce drag at highway speeds. See post #20. As GM states for the Chevy Volt (not your performance oriented car) it comes with an air dam as low as the Corvette to increase it's range, particularly when operating on battery! It does help mpg.
As far as noise, the dam scraping sounds like music compared to what you'll hit with the next lowest thing the aluminum "skid pads" or radiator support as GM calls it (serves both functions.) If you hit those, that aluminum on pavement sound is terrible! The air dams give you an early warning!
Hit the skid pads several times with my C6, luckily only scraped and dented not bent etc as the cost to replace is not cheap. Installed FANGS on the C7, have hit them once and only minor scrap on heavy plastic! See pic. Your car your choice!
It does reduce drag at highway speeds. See post #20. As GM states for the Chevy Volt (not your performance oriented car) it comes with an air dam as low as the Corvette to increase it's range, particularly when operating on battery! It does help mpg.
As far as noise, the dam scraping sounds like music compared to what you'll hit with the next lowest thing the aluminum "skid pads" or radiator support as GM calls it (serves both functions.) If you hit those, that aluminum on pavement sound is terrible! The air dams give you an early warning!
Hit the skid pads several times with my C6, luckily only scraped and dented not bent etc as the cost to replace is not cheap. Installed FANGS on the C7, have hit them once and only minor scrap on heavy plastic! See pic. Your car your choice!
Yup, I know all that. I don't like how they look. NASCAR goes real fast with the front splitter running so low it drags the track.
I have a front camera on my car and I can see when to stop. Don't need to add padding that is just scraping buffers.
I took the side dams off my 2007 and left the middle one to function. Since I don't have a middle, I figured why have plastic feelers to the front of the car. Curb feelers went away in the 50's.
Elmer
Last edited by eboggs_jkvl; Jul 19, 2016 at 11:12 AM.
There is an article somewhere on the forum. But basically balances out the increased rear/down forces due to the larger Z51 spoiler. It is only going to matter at very high speeds.
In fact I have a 2016 Z51 and it has all 3 parts. Because my dealer is stupid. The air dam is installed as part of the PDI. I have yet to go over about 80 mph.
Makes me wonder if I can call my courtesy dealer and request they DO NOT install it from the get go.... Unless it comes from factory like that.
Makes me wonder if I can call my courtesy dealer and request they DO NOT install it from the get go.... Unless it comes from factory like that.
In transit as I recall the air dam gets in the way and is left off until it gets to the dealer. I suspect since there are some safety issues involved with the air dam, the dealer will insist on its installation. If your dealer is as stupid as mine, maybe not!
You've got to be kidding me! 
