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I picked up my new C8 yesterday. I know some people have put after market covers over their front grills/radiators. I'm wondering what thoughts you folks have on this subject. Here is one example I found. It seems like a wise move to make, but wanted to see what the consensus is among you who have been there and done that. Thanks.
Make that three five stars reviews if I had bought my Paragon grill guards from this company. That's a good price. I got mine at that price during a sale at Paragon. It's a high quality grill guard that uses existing bolts to attach it. Unless you really look you can't tell they are on there.
I had my dealer install mine during PDI. You will see a lot of discussion here about these guards causing temp issues and possibly affecting your warranty but they don't cause temp issues for a daily driver. I live in Georgia and my temp rarely gets above 180 on a 90 degree day of spirited driving. I can't speak for those who track their cars on a regular basis. I can say in the many threads I've read here about grill guards I've seen some pretty bad looking pictures of damage from owners who don't have them.
You can get screens much cheaper that attach with twist ties or tape, but I decided on a $90k car I wasn't doing that.
I picked up my new C8 yesterday. I know some people have put after market covers over their front grills/radiators. I'm wondering what thoughts you folks have on this subject. Here is one example I found. It seems like a wise move to make, but wanted to see what the consensus is among you who have been there and done that. Thanks.
For <$90 I (and others) bought a 16 X 48 sheet with enough to do the two large sides (you show) AND the two smaller exposed areas in the center. There is enough to do the two rear fender scoops as well. If you don't want to cut your own (the cut edges do not show) then they sell precut for the large areas for slightly less. There have recently been copies from China. Suggest buying directly from them so you get the right product. Note: I (and others) did without any wire ties showing. All covered in the PDF.
Choose the ones you like, but my Customcargrills have worked well for me. I did it for the asthetic appeal, but they've also done a fine job protecting the fins. Here's a photo of mine taken last week after 6,000 miles. Customcargrills offer grills for the inboard outlets, which I have. These also match the screen material on the rear lower bumper. Lot of good info in prior threads, with photos, on how to install these.
^^^ Good, you show the large outside and the smaller ones visible through the center grill. It's a different plane and has to be made and installed separately.
I installed for a different reason. My C6 was 6 months old when a hole occurred in the AC Condenser. GM would not cover as they said it was "probably" caused by a rock and like a paint chip NOT COVERED.
After I paid $800 for a new AC Condenser I bought an aftermarket AC Condenser Protector!
Go naked! Live dangerously! No screens on mine. Bent fins after 5500 miles? Sure, I guess.
Hmm, bent fins are one thing! Because of where the AC Condensers are located could get a rock thrown by a pick-up or larger truck to punch a hole! Like my C6 you'll be told, "Probably caused by a rock and like a pint chip not covered!"
You can install now or AFTER the Condenser gets a hole and pay for a new one AND then <$100 for a protector!
9,000 miles 1 hour of fin straightening Paragon
A friend's car. 9,000 miles one hour of fin straightening. Paragon stone guards. I was not completely happy with how they fit. I did use zip ties at the bottom. I challenge you to find where I installed the zip ties.
I have the Paragon screens you referenced. I have several thousand miles on the car and the condensor fins are exactly as they were the day they rolled off the assemly line. I wish I could say the same for the lower front bumber which has a few nice dings so I'm sure the screens have been tested. The Paragon screens, in particular, are very high quality items with a completely fininshed edge and they provide a really clean installation utilizing existing connection points. I used the Customcargrills inner screens on the inner openings. I drove the car home from Bowling Green through Texas, New Mexico and Arizona in mid August with 100+ degree temperatures with no over heating issues whatsoever. Personally, I believe the potential to cause overheating issues with these sorts of screens, utlizing screening material the same as or similar to that used by the manufacturer in other places on the car, is overstated.
....Personally, I believe the potential to cause overheating issues with these sorts of screens, utlizing screening material the same as or similar to that used by the manufacturer in other places on the car, is overstated.
Some have used what looks like window screen. That blocks about 50+% of the air. I bought the Custom Car Grills 16 inch X 48 inch screen for <$100 that provides enough material for the two large outside mesh covers (I installed with NO plastic ties showing,) the two inner mesh for the exposed area in the center grill opening AND if you want the two rear fender side scoops!
i used Radiator Grill Store accessories to protect my exposed radiator grills on my 2021 C8. Very easy to install. I watched the U Tube video and IMO was really helpful.
Personally, I believe the potential to cause overheating issues with these sorts of screens, utlizing screening material the same as or similar to that used by the manufacturer in other places on the car, is overstated.
Originally Posted by JerryU
Some have used what looks like window screen. That blocks about 50+% of the air.
Yeah, Jerry, that likely would cause problems but as Ron White says, "You can't fix stupid!"
Has anyone on the forum ever reported an overheating problem caused by use of a screen? I don't recall any. Generally, the folks asking about overheating from screens are considering using them, and they are asking forum members if there are any issues. That is typically followed by a discussion of the potential for overheating. I don't see that as overblown. The screens (I use them) do restrict air flow. One of the sellers of screens even tested theirs on the car and showed a reduction in air flow under most conditions, and also in a separate lab test they showed a reduction in the capacity of the radiator to reject heat. However, your cooling system has excess capacity, and it regulates the water temperature by controlling both coolant flow, and radiator fan activation, so you will see no increase in operating temperature until you encounter conditions that exceed the (somewhat reduced) capacity of your cooling system. That is why it is recommended, at least by one seller, not to use the screens on the track. But since no one has reported an overheating issue, it appears that whatever reduction in cooling system capacity is, it is small. Not overblown, just factual.
Just bumping this thread. What would be the recommended grill guards? I’m looking at paragon, rpi, or the scrape guards but don’t want overheating if that’s an issue. I have z51 and do plan to track a few times.
Just bumping this thread. What would be the recommended grill guards? I’m looking at paragon, rpi, or the scrape guards but don’t want overheating if that’s an issue. I have z51 and do plan to track a few times.
Scrape Armor is the only one with OEM fitment and validation. I'm sure they all work similarly, but these things are worth something to me so if I add any, it'll be these. https://www.scrapearmor.com/collecti...te-c8-stingray
Just bumping this thread. What would be the recommended grill guards? I’m looking at paragon, rpi, or the scrape guards but don’t want overheating if that’s an issue. I have z51 and do plan to track a few times.
I bought the Paragon and my dealer installed them at PDI. I think they have a sale going on now. I'm very happy with them. I don't track my car but I live in an area with some very twisty roads that I frequent. Even with aggressive driving on those roads in the Georgia heat I've never seen my engine temp go over 200 degrees.
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C8 grill/radiator
Good, you show the large outside and the smaller ones visible through the center grill. It's a different plane and has to be made and installed separately.
