Notices
C8 Stingray/General Discussion The place to discuss the next generation of Corvette including the Stingray.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Wheel Design

Saved by the Grill Protector

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 30, 2023 | 10:16 PM
  #1  
NB68's Avatar
NB68
Thread Starter
Racer
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 274
Likes: 32
From: Augusta MO
Default Saved by the Grill Protector

Had these installed just about a week before this 1" chunk of construction rock wacked into it and wedged itself between the OEM grill and the mesh protectors.
I wonder how much damage that would have done to the radiator assuming my usual 70-90+ highway speeds.



Rock in Grill

Reply

Popular Reply

Jan 31, 2023, 06:40 AM
BlindSpot's Avatar
BlindSpot
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 7,148
Likes: 1,546
From: Florida
Default

Yes, some here think these are a waste of time claiming they've never had an issue with a radiator getting hit by debris.

These are a waste of time...right up to the moment it's needed....

Just like car insurance...waste of money if you've never had a claim....
Old Jan 30, 2023 | 10:28 PM
  #2  
Leafs's Avatar
Leafs
Navigator
 
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 9
Likes: 3
Default

Where did you get the protectors, and who are they made by?
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2023 | 06:32 AM
  #3  
C8Rob's Avatar
C8Rob
Racer
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 385
Likes: 171
From: Atlanta, GA
Default

Originally Posted by NB68
Had these installed just about a week before this 1" chunk of construction rock wacked into it and wedged itself between the OEM grill and the mesh protectors.
I wonder how much damage that would have done to the radiator assuming my usual 70-90+ highway speeds.



Rock in Grill
Congrats! That's why we do it.
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2023 | 06:40 AM
  #4  
BlindSpot's Avatar
BlindSpot
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 7,148
Likes: 1,546
From: Florida
Default

Yes, some here think these are a waste of time claiming they've never had an issue with a radiator getting hit by debris.

These are a waste of time...right up to the moment it's needed....

Just like car insurance...waste of money if you've never had a claim....
Old Jan 31, 2023 | 07:17 AM
  #5  
LIE2ME's Avatar
LIE2ME
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Veteran: Marine Corps
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 6,956
Likes: 4,811
From: Camden SC
Default

I had mine installed by the dealer during PDI....
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2023 | 08:00 AM
  #6  
BADBIRDCAGE's Avatar
BADBIRDCAGE
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,039
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
Default

Radiator might have been fine. AC condenser would have definitely taken a beating.
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2023 | 08:34 AM
  #7  
astepup's Avatar
astepup
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,057
Likes: 2,159
From: Schaller Iowa
Default

I too have an AY car with the grill guards but I never thought to paint them. Do you have any more pics showing the whole front end?
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2023 | 12:28 PM
  #8  
dvilin's Avatar
dvilin
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 45,269
Likes: 8,543
From: Rochester, NY
Default

Good and smart investment. Certainly saved you a few bucks and aggravation.
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 31, 2023 | 12:36 PM
  #9  
SoCal C8's Avatar
SoCal C8
Livin the Life
Supporting Lifetime
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 1,800
From: Simi Valley, CA
2024 C8 of the Year Winner - Modified
Default

Good investment pays off…..now get the side intake grills…



Reply
Old Jan 31, 2023 | 01:30 PM
  #10  
16falcon's Avatar
16falcon
Drifting
Veteran: Air Force
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,766
Likes: 1,244
From: Central Texas
St. Jude Donor '21
Default

I don’t think the side inlet guards are necessary, although I do have grill guards all the way across the front condensers. There is already a factory grill/protective screen in front of the fans deep in the inlets. The inlets should be inspected for debris occasionally, I have pulled one candy bar wrapper out of the side inlet. When I am forced to drive over paper or plastic bags I do try to check my rear view mirror to see that they appear behind me, if not, I check the front and the side inlets at my next stop. Usually they are clean, but it’s worth checking.
Attached Images  
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2023 | 02:33 PM
  #11  
Ih2lose's Avatar
Ih2lose
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 340
From: Just About 40 Min's from NYC
Default

Well thank you for the post, I Just purchased a set off of Amazon and had them shipped to my brothers house in TN . I have a museum delivery on March first and then going to see my brother in TN. I will install them at his house
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2023 | 02:37 PM
  #12  
peter pan's Avatar
peter pan
Life Time NCM #2196
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Air Force
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,592
Likes: 1,710
From: Converse TX
Default

One item I installed right away and good protection
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2023 | 04:14 PM
  #13  
hawk02's Avatar
hawk02
Drifting
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 2,036
From: Columbus OH
Default

I noticed this leaf behind my Scrap Armor guards today. Still trying to figure out how it got in there. I suspect it came in through the closest center vent.



Reply
Old Jan 31, 2023 | 04:27 PM
  #14  
See8's Avatar
See8
Burning Brakes
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 817
Likes: 905
From: Cincinnati
Default

Wonder if Checy will make grill guards standard on the 2024s? There is an OBVIOUS and CLEAR NEED for these, despite what engineers have stated.
Reply
Old Jan 31, 2023 | 04:48 PM
  #15  
Dave O's Avatar
Dave O
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,261
Likes: 1,431
From: Brentwood CA
Default

Originally Posted by hawk02
I noticed this leaf behind my Scrap Armor guards today. Still trying to figure out how it got in there. I suspect it came in through the closest center vent.


I had the same thing happen to me. Blew it out of the way with my air compressor. I think when I was done it ended up down below on top of one of the bottom plates - but I have no intention of removing it just to get to the leaf. At least it's no longer in the way blocking the condenser/radiator.
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2023 | 06:08 PM
  #16  
finsfanscott's Avatar
finsfanscott
Intermediate
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 48
Likes: 29
Default

Originally Posted by Ih2lose
Well thank you for the post, I Just purchased a set off of Amazon and had them shipped to my brothers house in TN . I have a museum delivery on March first and then going to see my brother in TN. I will install them at his house
If its not too late, contact the museum, they installed mine.
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2023 | 06:37 PM
  #17  
mefly2's Avatar
mefly2
Drifting
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 392
From: Big Sky Country, Montana
Default

Originally Posted by astepup
I too have an AY car with the grill guards but I never thought to paint them. Do you have any more pics showing the whole front end?
Yes, please ...
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Saved by the Grill Protector

Old Feb 3, 2023 | 11:47 PM
  #18  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,314
Likes: 24,776
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

Most likely that would have done quite a bit of damage. Thank goodness you had the grill protector in place.
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2023 | 07:39 AM
  #19  
bigblock427's Avatar
bigblock427
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 9,122
Likes: 1,539
From: Edmond, Oklahoma
Default

People that buy the grill guards are buying protections just in case that one inciddnt happens. And in your case, it happened. Good for you.

It is the same thing as insurance. You buy it, hoping you never need it.
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2023 | 08:29 AM
  #20  
manecda's Avatar
manecda
Racer
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Liked
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 267
Likes: 165
Default

Originally Posted by Ih2lose
Well thank you for the post, I Just purchased a set off of Amazon and had them shipped to my brothers house in TN . I have a museum delivery on March first and then going to see my brother in TN. I will install them at his house
Museum will install them for a very reasonable price.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:11 AM.

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