C7 Tech/Performance Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

C7 Z51 air dam fitting

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 4, 2024 | 01:43 PM
  #1  
FLX C7's Avatar
FLX C7
Thread Starter
Instructor
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 147
Likes: 54
From: Finger Lakes, NYS
Default C7 Z51 air dam fitting

When I bought my Z51 the air dams (below spoiler) had been removed by previous owner. I bought new ones from a Mid America Motorworks and they arrived in an OEM bag with the correct OEM part # (I think). Part# 84308943. This number also is cast into the RH part and the LH part is ...44. My first pic shows the back side of the LH part, showing the 3 holes. This part is supposed to be common for the Z51, GS and Z06, but the normal Stingrays have an alternate part # and is longer with 4 bolt holes. The parts I have measure about 10-1/4" in straight line and a bit less than 11" along the curve.
Here is my problem: I fitted the RH part and the outer two bolt holes line right up with the two speed nuts in the car's plastic underside, but the third bolt is way short the third speed nut. My picture also shows a 4th speed nut that is likely there for the normal Stingrays. There is a round hole close but not exactly lining up with the inner hole in the air dam with no speed nut. I don' want to start drilling my "new" car yet, but I guess I am willing to drill an extra hole in the air dam if necessary. Pictures show front and back of RH dam on the car with two bolts.
So, I am asking the Forum these questions:
1. Do I have the correct part number for my Z51?
2. If you have a Z51, GS or Z06, please measure your air dam vs. my numbers above.
3. Has anyone else had this problem fitting the air dams to a Z51?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Ken

LH part

Two unused speed nuts and parts 3rd hole not lined up to hole above.

outer bolt

front sie

Reply
Old Jan 4, 2024 | 09:49 PM
  #2  
fuzzy03cls's Avatar
fuzzy03cls
Burning Brakes
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 956
Likes: 440
From: FL
Default

Are there holes & they don't line up? On my base I replaced mine last month. On my set there were more holes on the pieces then holes under the bumper to bolt on. Everything still secured though & none the the 3 pieces will move around.
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2024 | 11:03 AM
  #3  
FLX C7's Avatar
FLX C7
Thread Starter
Instructor
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 147
Likes: 54
From: Finger Lakes, NYS
Default

Third hole on piece is close to a hole under bumper but I would have to drill one of the two. The hole in bumper there does not have a speed nut, but there is one about 2" closer to center, as if the piece is too short.
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2024 | 09:38 AM
  #4  
BrunoTheMellow's Avatar
BrunoTheMellow
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 5,692
Likes: 1,451
Default

The extra speed nuts are for base model cars that have an air dam go all the way across. I suggest drilling the rubber airdam to match the speed nuts for the 3rd hole. Just take 1 of the unused speed nuts and move it over to the right spot. The previous one probably fell off.
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2024 | 11:54 AM
  #5  
FLX C7's Avatar
FLX C7
Thread Starter
Instructor
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 147
Likes: 54
From: Finger Lakes, NYS
Default

Bruno
As shown in my 2nd pic, the 3rd speed nut is past the end of the air dam. There is a simple round hole on bottom of car near but not close enough to match the hole in the air dam. I plan to drill a simple round hole in the air dam that lines up with the hole in the car. I'll use a speed nut that does not fix to the plastic but there is good access to hold it from behind to get it started.
Ken
Reply
Old Jan 8, 2024 | 03:42 PM
  #6  
fuzzy03cls's Avatar
fuzzy03cls
Burning Brakes
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 956
Likes: 440
From: FL
Default

You may need the other longer airdam. I wouldn't be surprised if GM installed the base ones on the Z51 on some.
Reply
Old Jan 11, 2024 | 03:53 PM
  #7  
FLX C7's Avatar
FLX C7
Thread Starter
Instructor
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 147
Likes: 54
From: Finger Lakes, NYS
Default

I completed installation of the air dams, by drilling an additional hole in the air dams, only about 1/2" away from the third (inner) hole that was there. The hole above in the spoiler is just a simple round hole without a speed nut, so I used the type of speed nut that is not fixed on the back size. Because there is a hole in that upper panel at this location it is easy to reach behind to stop it from spinning until it grips the plastic.
Looks like the air dams I have are not the exact ones for my car. Come spring, I will know if they will be bottoming out anywhere along our rallies. If I decided to replace them, I will know better what to look for as far as length and bolt holes. Whatever aero improvement they provide will be working with what I have.
Thanks for your input.
Ken
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2024 | 05:55 PM
  #8  
CraigStu's Avatar
CraigStu
Drifting
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,816
Likes: 616
From: Blacksburg Va
Default

Do some searching here. I remember that some models don't get the center piece while others do.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 16, 2024 | 11:37 AM
  #9  
FLX C7's Avatar
FLX C7
Thread Starter
Instructor
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 147
Likes: 54
From: Finger Lakes, NYS
Default

Fuzzy
That is my plan after I see how much road contact I have with this one.
Ken
Reply
Old May 14, 2024 | 12:24 PM
  #10  
bearone2's Avatar
bearone2
Melting Slicks
Veteran: Army
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 2,822
Likes: 2,359
From: Phoenix, Arizona
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Originally Posted by CraigStu
Do some searching here. I remember that some models don't get the center piece while others do.
i've searched, can't find anything about the center piece, not sure if it's missing or if not installed on my 2014 z51!!
thanks

Reply
Old May 14, 2024 | 01:59 PM
  #11  
TraceZ's Avatar
TraceZ
Safety Car
Supporting Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,628
Likes: 397
From: Madison Wi
Default

Those are meant to be trimmed for Z51 use.

Should look like this:


Reply
Old May 14, 2024 | 02:12 PM
  #12  
bearone2's Avatar
bearone2
Melting Slicks
Veteran: Army
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 2,822
Likes: 2,359
From: Phoenix, Arizona
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Originally Posted by TraceZ
Those are meant to be trimmed for Z51 use.

Should look like this:

mine does, thanks!! is this in print anyplace??
Reply
Old May 14, 2024 | 02:21 PM
  #13  
TraceZ's Avatar
TraceZ
Safety Car
Supporting Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,628
Likes: 397
From: Madison Wi
Default

is this in print anyplace??
I had this saved from a few years back:


Reply
Old May 14, 2024 | 03:55 PM
  #14  
bearone2's Avatar
bearone2
Melting Slicks
Veteran: Army
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 2,822
Likes: 2,359
From: Phoenix, Arizona
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Originally Posted by TraceZ
I had this saved from a few years back:
thanks!!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To C7 Z51 air dam fitting





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:29 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE