Darn / dam !!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 281
Likes: 43
From: Gainesville GA
Darn / dam !!!
I own a 2014 C7 with 55,000 miles on the odometer. Car is driven daily and has never been nor will it ever see a race track.
Today as I was leaving Lowes when another shopper told me that there was "something" hanging from the front of my car... At my frist opportunity I took a look and found that the Center section of the air dam / defelctor, under the nose of the car, was hanging on by only one attaching screw.
As you can guess I must have gotten the defelctor hung up on a parking bumper and it in turn was torn off. Now to the question for which I need you advice.
Given how I use the car (see 1st sentence) do I NEED to replace the broken section or can I use the car withour any issues arrising?
Thanks in advance for your replies >
Today as I was leaving Lowes when another shopper told me that there was "something" hanging from the front of my car... At my frist opportunity I took a look and found that the Center section of the air dam / defelctor, under the nose of the car, was hanging on by only one attaching screw.
As you can guess I must have gotten the defelctor hung up on a parking bumper and it in turn was torn off. Now to the question for which I need you advice.
Given how I use the car (see 1st sentence) do I NEED to replace the broken section or can I use the car withour any issues arrising?
Thanks in advance for your replies >
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 109
Likes: 42
The only thing it is good for on the street is to remind me how I should’ve bought the lt3 with the front cameras, how I need to get on with the navtool install already, and that I can only back into spots.
it really is profoundly low.
it really is profoundly low.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 878
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From: Louisa, Ky
It was more important on C5's that used it to deflect air up into the radiator which did not have a grill like we have now or the same angle. The Z51's deleted the center section anyway on C7's
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 65
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From: Mount Joy, PA
I just removed all three sections on my 2019 2LT. I ordered a new set because two of them broke off the tabs. Unfortunately where one of them broke off, the tab on the piece that they screw goes into broke off so now I will need another piece of plastic. I will probably leave them off and never install the new ones. I'm told by many others that they are just sacrificial on the C7 and are not functional
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,947
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From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Again? Just replace it and go on. Does anyone really think GM stuck these things in such a vulnerable place simply to clear junk parts out of their warehouse? No biggie and it doesn't cost that much. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2020
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From: USA - Already a great country!
I own a 2014 C7 with 55,000 miles on the odometer. Car is driven daily and has never been nor will it ever see a race track.
Today as I was leaving Lowes when another shopper told me that there was "something" hanging from the front of my car... At my frist opportunity I took a look and found that the Center section of the air dam / defelctor, under the nose of the car, was hanging on by only one attaching screw.
As you can guess I must have gotten the defelctor hung up on a parking bumper and it in turn was torn off. Now to the question for which I need you advice.
Given how I use the car (see 1st sentence) do I NEED to replace the broken section or can I use the car withour any issues arrising?
Thanks in advance for your replies >
Today as I was leaving Lowes when another shopper told me that there was "something" hanging from the front of my car... At my frist opportunity I took a look and found that the Center section of the air dam / defelctor, under the nose of the car, was hanging on by only one attaching screw.
As you can guess I must have gotten the defelctor hung up on a parking bumper and it in turn was torn off. Now to the question for which I need you advice.
Given how I use the car (see 1st sentence) do I NEED to replace the broken section or can I use the car withour any issues arrising?
Thanks in advance for your replies >
One of the sides got damaged, but I was able to get it back in place with good duct tape (cleaned the 'inside' and did a nice, careful job of it). It expect to have to replace it one day, but it has been there for over a year with no problem so far...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,012
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From: Central Commiefornia
At Spring Mountain, we were told the dams are installed for traction above 140 mph...
The base Stingray has three dams and a small rear spoiler. The Z-51 and up have only the outer dams and a larger rear spoiler, presumably for traction...
The base Stingray has three dams and a small rear spoiler. The Z-51 and up have only the outer dams and a larger rear spoiler, presumably for traction...
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For normal street driving, shouldn't be a problem leaving it off. However, since they are relatively inexpensive parts, I would just replace it and keep driving.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 65
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From: Mount Joy, PA
I agree that they are fairly inexpensive and although not really functionally necessary for every day driving and it's nice to keep the car as built, but when one of the dam's that breaks off, breaks the tab on the other part that the screw goes into, then it starts becoming a bit more expensive to now replace THAT part and is now necessary to find a lift to put the car up on to do the work.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2016
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From: Northville Michigan
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
Mine has been removed for 6 years, I have Carbon Fiber front splitter and no front cameras. Guess what, I don't track but have reached speeds of 150-160 mph on clear open road and it drives the same as far as I can tell and I park straight in and never a problem with damaging a splitter just takes awareness and caution.
Last edited by KGrant; Jun 2, 2021 at 09:11 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Columbus Ohio
Mine got torn somehow early in its life. When I noticed it, I reached under and carefully pulled it the rest of the way off. It tore neatly along what looks like a seam or fold. I took it in for service and asked about getting it replaced. The advisor looked at me, and said "We sell a lot of those - they get torn up a lot. My advice is to not replace it." She instantly became my preferred advisor. (I don't track my car, or even get up over 100 very often, so high speed stability is not an issue.)
One of the sides got damaged, but I was able to get it back in place with good duct tape (cleaned the 'inside' and did a nice, careful job of it). It expect to have to replace it one day, but it has been there for over a year with no problem so far...
One of the sides got damaged, but I was able to get it back in place with good duct tape (cleaned the 'inside' and did a nice, careful job of it). It expect to have to replace it one day, but it has been there for over a year with no problem so far...
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From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
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Drove new car home from dealer, dropped down on my back and removed the 2 side air dams. Installed a splitter, never have missed the air dams.
Elmer
Elmer
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Joined: Sep 2010
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I agree that they are fairly inexpensive and although not really functionally necessary for every day driving and it's nice to keep the car as built, but when one of the dam's that breaks off, breaks the tab on the other part that the screw goes into, then it starts becoming a bit more expensive to now replace THAT part and is now necessary to find a lift to put the car up on to do the work.
I'm thinking that one can halfass a "fix," by drilling new holes, then riveting on the airdam, even if part of the fairing that the air dam attaches to gets ripped off. I need to buy a hand held riveting tool for the fix on my base Stingray. Repeated backing out of my driveway to the alley's angle, finally tore my center section half off over a year ago. I've got the torn off air dam, just haven't bought the riveter from Harbor Freight or Home Depot yet.
I agree with the poster that the car looks more complete as it was shipped new. And, badass NASCAResque with the air dam down low to street level. Who knows, it may deflect and keep road crap and shrapnel from smacking the undersides of the car at highway speed limit.
Wonder why Z51s don't get the center air dam, but the base Stingrays do?? Is it that different at triple digit speeds to not have it on the Z51? Why do NASCARs have em then??
One more thing.....since Z51s are geared with higher numerical ratios than the base Stingray, wouldn't it make sense for the Stingray to have an air dam delete, rather than the presumably slower Z51 at top end? Just a thought...
Last edited by Skid Row Joe; Jun 2, 2021 at 03:29 PM.