When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Anyone buying protection for their splitter? Looking for some decent options. My c6 z06 would scrape leaving the driveway...would like to mitigate that damage when I get my C8
Anyone buying protection for their splitter? Looking for some decent options. My c6 z06 would scrape leaving the driveway...would like to mitigate that damage when I get my C8
I have a "Scrape Armor" Splitter Protector on my 2017 Grand Sport with Stage 2 Aero. It saved my $1500+ carbon fiber OEM Splitter. here are some pics. They will proably have one for the C8 as they have them for Ferrari,Lambo's etc. This is a PDF of my install: http://netwelding.com/Splitter_Protectors.pdf
Pic Installed. Scraped when going down a step driveway in town. Splitter saved.
No question if you have a carbon fiber $1,500 splitter you would want to protect it, but putting $450 protector on a $50 part seems a bit If you damaged all three pieces it's only $150, so you could do that 3 times before you have just the money for a protector that's just more plastic. My last car had a painted chin spoiler and if it bumped something it was junk. I'm looking forward to having a sacrificial piece that can be changed out in minutes that is super cheap.
^^^
Having scraped my C6 (including the aluminum skid pads- GM calls radiator supports,) the aftermarket Splitter on my 2014 Z51 - and it's aluminum skid pad fortunately covered by a FANG, and my 2017 GS Stage 2 Aero Carbon Fiber Splitter thankfully protected by a Scrape Armor Protector plus hit it's FANG protected skid pads a few times- I'm getting the LIFT OPTION for my C8!
From: Philadelphia PA (Birthplace of the USA, UNESCO World Heritage City)
The front splitter is a replaceable wear item as far as I'm concerned. Shouldn't cost much to replace, and my understanding is that removal/installation is easy.
Unless you have a carbon fiber one, it's probably not worth protecting.
Last edited by ArmchairArchitect; Jun 18, 2020 at 08:54 AM.
There are 2 things that scrape. The first thing to scrape are these rounded bumps tucked under the bumper just in front of the tires. They are impossible to see if you are not on your knees looking under there. It seems their only purpose is to provide an audible warning to pay attention. The splitter is the other item which will scrape in more severe situations. It has a lip at the bottom which would prevent you from putting an adhesive type protection because there is very little to stick to. Thankfully again you cannot see the damage unless you are on your knees. I have used my pocket knife to trim off any plastic fuzz that is showing. I have not found a speed bump that caused problem, only driveways. The C8 is better on driveways than the C7.
Last edited by BamaBlue; Jun 18, 2020 at 09:24 AM.
^^^
Actually there are 3! That first you thought GM added as a "Curb Feeler" is NOT there for that reason, although it also provides that function! It's called an air dam or air deflector and is designed to reduce air going under the car reducing aerodynamic drag. Want proof? The Chevy Volt has one almost as deep as the Corvette and GM says it increases mile range when driving on batteries. Frankly if you look, most cars have them going across the whole front for the same reason, as many C7s and all C6s.
The 2nd highest IF you have one is the Splitter. BUT there is a 3rd! It's aluminum called a Radiator Support but serves the function of a skid pad as well.
Side View on C7 and Pic of Plastic FANG I had on my 2017 Z51 and now on my GS. If you think the noise from a scraping air dam is bad that aluminum on pavement makes it sound like music! Expensive if you have to replace, as some pastes have!
Yep, like my 2014 Z51 and my current 2017 Grand Sport with the Stage 2 Aero Option, you don't have a center air dam. Those are the "side air dams" that divert air around the front tires and reduce drag- WITHOUT ALSO CREATING DOWNFORCE! This makes my answer more complex but full details are in PDF I made after a 2 year "investigation" as to why my early 2014 Z51 (built September 2013) was shipped with a center air dam (as my C6 Z51) had BUT my dealer was told not to install! I was curious as to WHY! This PDF has 7 pages on aero info: http://netwelding.com/Air_Dam.pdf
SIDEBAR
This is a timeline summary of what Tadge finally acklowgded in a forum post in 2016: Summary: Why No Center Air Dam on Some C7 Models:
• Bednarchik (GM's Chief Aerodynamicist) in October 2013 said in a published article on C7 Aero, the center air dam was not used for high speed stability.
• In 2014 a GM Engineer said it was to allow more air for "rear brake cooling." However that same person told a forum poster something different and "brake cooling" did not match what the Chief Aerodynamicist said in the published article in 2013. Made me believe that was just "Marketing Speak" to cover the real reason! (Had a forum dialog in a number of posts with an avid poster who believed that "Marketing Speak!" I kept on searching!)
• Tadge at the April 2014 Bash said the center air dam on the Z51 is deleted to balance the lift characteristics. (That was closer to the 2013 GM Chief Aerodynamicist comment!)
• Tadge in a 2015 Z06 intro video said it was not used because it was causing high speed oversteer and they require some understeer. (Now that matched the 2013 comment!!)
• Tadge in a 2016 forum post said they carefully control “pitch moment” to provide neutral handling biased to understeer. (Has big implications for C8 handling.)
• In a 2017 GM Bulletin it was shown the base models of even the Grand Sport and Z06 now have center air dams, minimizing the reason being extra cooling.
Yep happy I kept looking! IMO, Marketing Speak of "No peddle room, Can't cut a hole in the center support structure," are just that for why no standard shift C8! Have a detailed PDF of what I suspect and show proof is the "real reason!'
The OEM Tupperware one is an expendable piece to me. Here are all the part numbers, you can buy the middle section for $50.
So true! I can’t imagine how I would feel when my $5000 carbon fiber front splitter scrapes pulling into McDonalds to get a burger and fries. Please people, carbon fiber is for race cars and weight reduction of large heavy parts.
Last edited by Verboten993; Jun 19, 2020 at 09:06 AM.
Splitter Armor
If you damaged all three pieces it's only $150, so you could do that 3 times before you have just the money for a protector that's just more plastic. My last car had a painted chin spoiler and if it bumped something it was junk. I'm looking forward to having a sacrificial piece that can be changed out in minutes that is super cheap.
It's called an air dam or air deflector and is designed to reduce air going under the car reducing aerodynamic drag. Want proof? The Chevy Volt has one almost as deep as the Corvette and GM says it increases mile range when driving on batteries. Frankly if you look, most cars have them going across the whole front for the same reason, as many C7s and all C6s.
