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Picked up my new 2017 Z51 Friday and didn’t notice until yesterday that there is not a center lower air dam. There are air dams on each side that line up with the tires though. A friend tells me some have them and some don’t which seems odd to me. What say the Forum members?
Rick
The base Stingray has the lower center air dam. The Stingray with Z51 option does not. I have a base model and have the lower center air dam. The base also does not have the slotted brake rotors.
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21
As others have said, the Z-51 (visually) is slightly different by:
1. The air dam in front.
2. Slotted rotors.
3. Wheels (but these can be ordered from the factory)
4. Rear spoiler (but this can be ordered from factory)
5. Rear vents are functional on the Z51, not on the non-Z51.
You will like it more each time you drive it; great car. Maybe see you running on I-94/I-75, I live in SCS and commute to Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor everyday. I drive my black C7 as often as possible.
You might consider MPSS AS+ tires when your summer only tires wear out. Here in MI it gives you +3 months more driving time. The summer only tires are very traction limited below 40/50 degrees. PM me if you have any questions I can help you with -- tom
ls3zob: Like the first 10 minutes after I detail it LOL. I'm kind of over the keeping it spotless and just keeping it clean and driving the snot out of it. -- tom
^^^Agreed. However, and I don't want to sidetrack OP's thread about his beautiful new car, but ceramics help a lot. Not a magic bullet, but helps when washing and dusting. But you are correct, a whole lot of work for a few minutes spotless driving joy. However, wouldn't do it in any other, given the choice, i'd get the black again. You become immune to the punishment.
EDIT: On a side note, I just realized both of you are neighbors of mine.
It's my understanding that the Z51 package deletes the center air dam (even though mounting holes are still there) and adds additional air ducts to the front brakes, increasing brake cooling. Apparently the air dam interferes with the cooling ducts from what I've read elsewhere on the forum.
And I second the move to Michelin Pilot AS3+ all-seasons, just had them put on my '18 Stingray Z51 for Oregon's rainy season, which can last from now until June...
You will like it more each time you drive it; great car. Maybe see you running on I-94/I-75, I live in SCS and commute to Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor everyday. I drive my black C7 as often as possible.
You might consider MPSS AS+ tires when your summer only tires wear out. Here in MI it gives you +3 months more driving time. The summer only tires are very traction limited below 40/50 degrees. PM me if you have any questions I can help you with -- tom
I’m retired but help a good friend in Novi restoring C1 and C2 cars. In the past my buddies and myself hang out on Woodward Friday and Saturday nights but I’m not sure now that I have a new car. They might shun me.
I also do the Pasteiner’s Cruise-In on Saturday morning (Woodward & 14 Mile)
^^^Agreed. However, and I don't want to sidetrack OP's thread about his beautiful new car, but ceramics help a lot. Not a magic bullet, but helps when washing and dusting. But you are correct, a whole lot of work for a few minutes spotless driving joy. However, wouldn't do it in any other, given the choice, i'd get the black again. You become immune to the punishment.
EDIT: On a side note, I just realized both of you are neighbors of mine.
Already bought the Carbotech 1521 pads. Amazing how much brake dust is produced from the OEM pads. Also bought the permanent hockey pucks.
Oh, I meant ceramic coating for the paint, but the pads help too. I opted to keep my stock pads, but since I’ve ceramic coated the wheels (and calipers) too, cleaning is much easier
Picked up my new 2017 Z51 Friday and didn’t notice until yesterday that there is not a center lower air dam. There are air dams on each side that line up with the tires though. A friend tells me some have them and some don’t which seems odd to me. What say the Forum members?
Rick
Yep, the Z51, Grand Sport and Z06 do not have a center air dam. Lots of speculation as to why not. Since my C6 Z51 had a center air dam, when I got my September 2013 built C7 Z51 was curious about the reason. In fact the Z51 was supposed to have one but we were told it was removed from production cars after road tests but no further explanation.
TECH DETAILS, IF INTERESTED IN THE REASON:
A video with Tadge, the chief corvette engineer re the reason it’s not on the Z06 and his recent comments about C7 aero in a response to a forum question make it clear IMO. Other reasons given early on like rear brake cooling were marketing speak, IMO. That may be a small factor but not the main reason.
The reason reinforces what the GM chief aerodynamicist said it a published article in 2014 but did not elaborate. He said it was for high speed stability.
Tadge said the front center air dam was providing excess downforce causing high speed oversteer when they prefer and design for some understeer! As an owner of a modified Corvair years ago and experiance with air dam and rear spoiler additions to my 260Z I understand why oversteer at high speeds causes different, less intuitive, reactions if going into a turn too fast. It’s like when skidding on ice, you have to steer into the skid. Like on ice, when at the limit, not much time to react before the rear end slides off the road!
Even older Porsche drivers had the saying that if going into a turn too fast in a wooded area you’ll go off the road and hit a tree. Best hit the tree with the rear than plow into it head on!
I’m sure GM did not want to give Ralph Nader material for another book!
10-18-2017, 02:02 PM
New C7 Owner Question
