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Just adding to the data. don't have an after pic but here is an indicative pic of my driver side front grill at 1022 miles.
I take care not to drive close behind other traffic no matter the make. I also NEVER follow truck, semi's, or construction vehicles of any kind.
Last edited by Hillslam; Feb 28, 2021 at 04:33 PM.
GM knew they were exposing the condenser fins to road debris when they designed the car. And expressly have said it is a serviceable as is. We live where street rocks, bugs, blowing green waste etc. is minimal. Maybe the occasional Kit Kat wrapper? Or the unfortunate insect that we find DOA. So we are not too terribly concerned with this issue. If something gets stuck, I'll use a toothbrush to remove it with the next wash cycle. For those **** retentives and there are a legion of them here, it is a big deal for sure.
Surprised you feel that way. Windshield replacement is BIG business in Arizona. My sister’s Insurance company (AAA) gives them 3 free windshield replacements a year because the problem is so bad. I drive to AZ once a month and the damage I have received on I-8 & I-10 has been an issue. Screens are cheap insurance that won’t help protect against big rocks but will help with the smaller stuff.
Last edited by Vet Interested; Feb 28, 2021 at 04:55 PM.
Surprised you feel that way. Windshield replacement is BIG business in Arizona. My sister’s Insurance company (AAA) gives them 3 free windshield replacements a year because the problem is so bad. I drive to AZ once a month and the damage I have received on I-8 & I-10 has been an issue. Screens are cheap insurance that won’t help protect against big rocks but will help with the smaller stuff.
Yep, that was my concern as I added aftermarket screens to my C6 that was 6 months old and got a hole in the AC Condenser. Been an issue with many cars. Was told GM would not cover because it was "probably" caused by a rock.
Similar to your comment, a few weeks after I got my 2014 Z51 was talking a friend to visit a local business using I95. Was in the center lane passing and 18 wheeler. Big BANG. When we stopped we saw a rock had hit the passenger window. Fortunately is about where the windshield blade was located. Caused a pit I filled with a repair kit (did not want a new windshield which in SC is free with comprehensive insurance IF in the field of vision- which this wasn't.) Looked fine when I sold it 3 1/2 years later.
After examining in the AC Condenser that was removed I "proved" it was a manufacturing defect in that case and got my $800 back! BUT bought an aftermarket screen to protect the new Condenser.
Has anyone installed the screens from C8partsonline that mount on the outside of the grille. Wondering about the appearance of the car. I have a white car coming and they may black the openings further which may look good. Bottom line I’m looking for is not being able notice that they’re not stock or look funky.
Has anyone installed the screens from C8partsonline that mount on the outside of the grille. Wondering about the appearance of the car. I have a white car coming and they may black the openings further which may look good. Bottom line I’m looking for is not being able notice that they’re not stock or look funky.
Anything that goes in front of the factory openings isn't going to have an OEM look. The Custom Car Grills pieces take a couple hours to install, but comes out looking absolutely factory in appearance as they match the other screen shape, size, and color as the other factory screens on the car. (rear hatch and lower rear fascia) I can think of a LOT of things worse than tinkering with my car for a couple hours, I find it to be therapeutic.
One thing nobody is talking about is airflow restriction. I had the screens out for my brake cooling ducts on a C5 and I was curious as to how much air was restricted by them, so I conducted a highly calibrated test. I held my wet fingers out and blew on them and continued while I moved the screen between my lips and my fingers. The screen blocked nearly all of the airflow based on perception. So if you track your car on hot days, or you're just concerned about the cooling capacity of your car, you might want to give second thoughts to installing these.
One thing nobody is talking about is airflow restriction. I had the screens out for my brake cooling ducts on a C5 and I was curious as to how much air was restricted by them, so I conducted a highly calibrated test. I held my wet fingers out and blew on them and continued while I moved the screen between my lips and my fingers. The screen blocked nearly all of the airflow based on perception. So if you track your car on hot days, or you're just concerned about the cooling capacity of your car, you might want to give second thoughts to installing these.
Question:
In your highly sensitive test how did you calculate the volume of your breath and the velocity at which it was projected through the screen material? Were you in a controlled environment and how was the calculation of how much airflow was required to displace the water?
I realize I’m breaking your stones here and it isn’t personal.
The Custom Car Grille inserts are identical in size and shape to the heat venting screens on the hatch of the coupe over the engine compartment. Presuming, as to your test results, the screens block the heat from escaping the engine compartment they are, therefore, unnecessary.
I don’t believe the GM engineers included the screens without contemplating the effect of airflow to exhaust heat from the engine compartment. The screens have purpose.
In your highly sensitive test how did you calculate the volume of your breath and the velocity at which it was projected through the screen material? Were you in a controlled environment and how was the calculation of how much airflow was required to displace the water?
I realize I’m breaking your stones here and it isn’t personal.
The Custom Car Grille inserts are identical in size and shape to the heat venting screens on the hatch of the coupe over the engine compartment. Presuming, as to your test results, the screens block the heat from escaping the engine compartment they are, therefore, unnecessary.
I don’t believe the GM engineers included the screens without contemplating the effect of airflow to exhaust heat from the engine compartment. The screens have purpose.
As I said, you might want to give second thoughts to installing these if you are putting stress on your cooling system. I didn't say, don't do it if all you're doing is driving to Cars and Coffee events. But I will say that I took a trip driving a borrowed Suburban towing a trailored race car and the tow vehicle owner had installed extra grill screens on his Suburban, presumably for extra protection like what we are talking about here. The vehicle ran noticeably hotter than what I would have expected and I was glad that we didn't have any long uphill grades in thin air to negotiate.
As far as GM engineering being super precise and everything has a purpose, I hate to disabuse you of that notion, but Chevrolets in general and Corvettes in particular are pretty famous for leaving a lot of engineering to the public after the cars leave the dealer lots. Otherwise, why would there be such an extensive after-market industry built up around the car? There are also a lot of things on the cars that seem to have no real function apart from aesthetics. Engine covers is a good example. All they do is hide a less-than-beautiful engine and maybe deaden a little sound. Engines run hotter with them installed and drag racers were pulling them off on the earlier models and improving ET's as a result. The screens you're talking about do reduce airflow, certainly, but you don't want things falling into the engine compartment either.
For most users, the radiator screens will probably be fine, but I bet you'll notice a little hotter water temperature. On the street, most likely not a problem. If you're tracking or autocrossing, you might be losing power, and that wouldn't be good.
As I said, you might want to give second thoughts to installing these if you are putting stress on your cooling system. I didn't say, don't do it if all you're doing is driving to Cars and Coffee events. But I will say that I took a trip driving a borrowed Suburban towing a trailored race car and the tow vehicle owner had installed extra grill screens on his Suburban, presumably for extra protection like what we are talking about here. The vehicle ran noticeably hotter than what I would have expected and I was glad that we didn't have any long uphill grades in thin air to negotiate.
As far as GM engineering being super precise and everything has a purpose, I hate to disabuse you of that notion, but Chevrolets in general and Corvettes in particular are pretty famous for leaving a lot of engineering to the public after the cars leave the dealer lots. Otherwise, why would there be such an extensive after-market industry built up around the car? There are also a lot of things on the cars that seem to have no real function apart from aesthetics. Engine covers is a good example. All they do is hide a less-than-beautiful engine and maybe deaden a little sound. Engines run hotter with them installed and drag racers were pulling them off on the earlier models and improving ET's as a result. The screens you're talking about do reduce airflow, certainly, but you don't want things falling into the engine compartment either.
For most users, the radiator screens will probably be fine, but I bet you'll notice a little hotter water temperature. On the street, most likely not a problem. If you're tracking or autocrossing, you might be losing power, and that wouldn't be good.
Perhaps I will find out next month driving cross country from FL to Pahrump for the Spring Mountain course and back to FL through AZ, NM.
As I said, you might want to give second thoughts to installing these if you are putting stress on your cooling system. I didn't say, don't do it if all you're doing is driving to Cars and Coffee events. But I will say that I took a trip driving a borrowed Suburban towing a trailored race car and the tow vehicle owner had installed extra grill screens on his Suburban, presumably for extra protection like what we are talking about here. The vehicle ran noticeably hotter than what I would have expected and I was glad that we didn't have any long uphill grades in thin air to negotiate.
As far as GM engineering being super precise and everything has a purpose, I hate to disabuse you of that notion, but Chevrolets in general and Corvettes in particular are pretty famous for leaving a lot of engineering to the public after the cars leave the dealer lots. Otherwise, why would there be such an extensive after-market industry built up around the car? There are also a lot of things on the cars that seem to have no real function apart from aesthetics. Engine covers is a good example. All they do is hide a less-than-beautiful engine and maybe deaden a little sound. Engines run hotter with them installed and drag racers were pulling them off on the earlier models and improving ET's as a result. The screens you're talking about do reduce airflow, certainly, but you don't want things falling into the engine compartment either.
For most users, the radiator screens will probably be fine, but I bet you'll notice a little hotter water temperature. On the street, most likely not a problem. If you're tracking or autocrossing, you might be losing power, and that wouldn't be good.
Hmm, have you considered that the AC Condenser is blocking a heck of a lot more air than the Custom Car Grills screen many of us used that blocks only 23%!
You if tracking when temps are 100F "might" be a small issue BUT never in street driving where your using on average ~50 hp! Short Spurts at max hp are a none issue thermally!
I have 2000 miles and they look fine. My biggest concern was a rock hitting and causing a hole in the AC Condenser, which is NOT cover by warranty. Cheap $70 insurance.
now this is interesting. GM says there is no issue, otherwise they would have protected them. But if a rock penetrates them and puts a hole in the AC condenser, they will not cover that? that's nuts.
You're doing Spring Mountain with the screens on? That should be a good test. Let us know how it goes.
Can’t use your own vehicle on a level one course.
We will be driving around 5,500 miles cross country and back through mountains, deserts and all conditions in between.
I expect zero difficulty due to screen installation. My dealership installed them for me and said they thought the radiators should have been protected from the assembly plant.
now this is interesting. GM says there is no issue, otherwise they would have protected them. But if a rock penetrates them and puts a hole in the AC condenser, they will not cover that? that's nuts.
Been nuts forver if you think it's nuts!
This is what happened with my C6:
Didn't have them for any of my 6 Vettes! That's why the aftermarket gets 130,000 visitors to SEMA each year and NOT open to the public. Strictly suppliers and dealers etc.
GM doesn't say it's a non issue. They test in Arizona desert at 110+F etc. (My friends son was an engineer for Delco and went on some test. He was smart and got out and went to a "profitable' industry! Medical appliances!)
In addition like few check oil level as the recommended in the Owner's Manual . Many will not clean off their screens of debris and blame GM for the "sticking Screens they installed!
GM said you'll have to buy a new AXC Condenser because the hole was "probably caused by a rock." Like rock chips they don't cover. When I got the failed Condenser home discovered the hole was caused by a bent condenser that probably bent at the factory. Wrote a report and got my $800 back! Was smart and blamed the dam vender in the report! Yep my "probable" cause trumped their "probable" cause!
It's pretty common from the various manufacturers to not utilize any form of grill mesh. Go to your local Porsche, Lamborghini, and McLaren dealer and take a look.
[QUOTE=stevebz06;1603264479]As I said, you might want to give second thoughts to installing these if you are putting stress on your cooling system. I didn't say, don't do it if all you're doing is driving to Cars and Coffee events. But I will say that I took a trip driving a borrowed Suburban towing a trailored race car and the tow vehicle owner had installed extra grill screens on his Suburban, presumably for extra protection like what we are talking about here. The vehicle ran noticeably hotter than what I would have expected and I was glad that we didn't have any long uphill grades in thin air to negotiate.
Question; accepting your experience with the borrowed Suburban had you ever used that vehicle before either towing or not towing? Did you have any clue as to how it ran and cooled under ordinary driving? Are you aware if the Suburban was equipped with a tow package from GM? Do you know if it had any extra cooling or transmission cooling device(s) installed?
I do not dismiss that there can/will be some loss of airflow through the screens. I believe it will be minimal.
