Air dam necessasry?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 177
Likes: 12
From: Allen Texas
Air dam necessasry?
I have a "new to me" 2017 C7 Z06 and have the stage 3 front splitter. Last week the center air dam actually came off! My local installer of the splitter said that on the C7's there is no longer a requirement for the air dam as was on the C6. I still have the left/right air dam pieces and they also scrape in my driveway. I hate hearing that sound.
Can I safely remove those too or is there a reason to keep those or any of the air dam system?
Can I safely remove those too or is there a reason to keep those or any of the air dam system?
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The left and right pieces help a bit with aerodymanics and while the noise may be annoying, they are designed to be consumable parts - not real expensive to replace when they get damaged.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 177
Likes: 12
From: Allen Texas
Glad to hear that. We'll see how long those two pieces stay on there. I rarely go that fast (even though I can) so I'll probably never notice.
I wish they made an air dam that was cut in half the deepness. That way it would help some without dragging the ground all the time.
That's an idea, I could actually trim them up some myself!
Speaking of...I need to post my updated mod pictures soon.
I wish they made an air dam that was cut in half the deepness. That way it would help some without dragging the ground all the time.
That's an idea, I could actually trim them up some myself!
Speaking of...I need to post my updated mod pictures soon.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 9,122
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From: 2019 CMG Z06
I was not aware you can have a stage 3 without the undertray. I have a stage 2 with the undertray and the center air dam must be removed in order to install the GM undertray. So yes, useless. In fact, I removed my side 2 as well. Looks less cheap that way.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 388
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From: RI
You can also live your life without a C7, doesn't mean it is as good.
I second the thought that anything GM decided was worth the cost, stays on my car. To each their own.
I daily mine thru snow and all up here in New England and have scrapped those rubber dams maybe five times in 2+ years. Gently too. No idea how people bash them so hard they get damaged.
I second the thought that anything GM decided was worth the cost, stays on my car. To each their own.
I daily mine thru snow and all up here in New England and have scrapped those rubber dams maybe five times in 2+ years. Gently too. No idea how people bash them so hard they get damaged.
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2018
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May want to look at this thread.
Please clarify: What does the front air dam actual do - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion
Please clarify: What does the front air dam actual do - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
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From: Guelph, Ontario
On my base model Stingray it came with all three pieces up front but the one on the driver's side ended up hanging by a thread due to the car being lowered and going over one too many speed bumps. So I ended up just removing both of the outer pieces and I now only run the center one. I haven't noticed any issues and it's been that way for a couple of years now.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2010
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You can also live your life without a C7, doesn't mean it is as good.
I second the thought that anything GM decided was worth the cost, stays on my car. To each their own.
I daily mine thru snow and all up here in New England and have scrapped those rubber dams maybe five times in 2+ years. Gently too. No idea how people bash them so hard they get damaged.
I second the thought that anything GM decided was worth the cost, stays on my car. To each their own.
I daily mine thru snow and all up here in New England and have scrapped those rubber dams maybe five times in 2+ years. Gently too. No idea how people bash them so hard they get damaged.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,230
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From: Rochester, NY
That scrapping sound unpleasant as it may be serves good warning to either slow down or change your angle of entry/exit to avoid any possible further damage to the underside of your Vette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2016
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From: Northville Michigan
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
I removed the center and both sides 6 years ago as they are aesthetically ungodly ugly and serves no discernible purpose unless in a wind tunnel or slight aero during track use but that is just my own opinion. Who hears something over the sound of the C7 exhaust by not having the dams is surprising to me. I also have full real carbon aero that but the aero is wrapped in expel but I've driven enough low driving cars not to worry about scraping damage as it takes being attentive and aware of your surroundings.
Last edited by KGrant; Sep 15, 2021 at 01:02 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Just get used to the noise. I've put up with it for over 20 years with my C5 on my own driveway and with my C7 for 4 years. They can both live with it; so can I; no big deal. 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 177
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From: Allen Texas
Thanks for all the various comments! This has been enlightening. My summary is "whatever you want" for the C7. Some have all, some sides only, some center only. haha Apparently, the previous owner hit a lot in the center to make it tear. I still have the sides and driving carefully I don't hit anything. I think the ride is fine especially with the stage 3 splitter.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Funny thing how Joe Blow down at the Splitter install garage is an engineering whiz who knows that GM wasted their time, talent and dollars installing an unneeded part on their car.
Bill
Bill