Screens
My smaller 1/4-inch mesh screens have been installed for over a year and on 100-degree NE SC days with aggressive street driving (NOT TRACK) have never had coolant more than about 185 F!
They are made from thin width aluminum that is deep so the screen is ridged. Mine are black power coated. You can buy a 16" X 48" mesh sheet and cut your own as I (and many others) did. BUT you can make all 4 required for full front protection as the AC Condenser (coolant rad behind) extends into the center grill opening. You have enough to also make grills for the rear fenders if you think needed. As noted below they also offer precut screens, $69 for the two large and $99 for the 2 large and two smaller for the center. So think you only need the two large areas covered like the $399 GM "approved" screens, precut they are only $69. Or cut your own and get a buddy and cut 4 (actually could get all 8) for $69! Think you need the double size holes- same price, just more bugs and debris getting thru!

As far as professional look, I (and many) installed by removing the center grill (as required for the "approved screen" install) so the black plastic ties are hidden. Edges are behind the grill and not visible.
There have recently been some copies from China on Amazon and eBay. They lowered their price. Suggest supporting this US company and buying direct from them!
(BTW, I have no affiliation with the company, paid more than the current price a year+ ago! BUT I do have my own Internet business and use all US made raw materials, so appreciate what they have done!)
Here is a many pics/long captions PDF How To install: http://netwelding.com/CF_Splitter.pdf
Price is for Aluminum finish. I and most bought Black Power Coated now $69.
Removed Grill Bar so the black plastic wire ties used to attach are all hidden. Both install options are covered in PDF.
Last edited by JerryU; Jul 7, 2022 at 04:59 PM.
For street use, I'm reasonably certain that none of the other aftermarket offerings will cause cooling issues either, but with these, if you do having a cooling issue, GM can't claim it is related to your use of an unapproved aftermarket part. For some folks, the higher cost is worth it for that reason alone.
You might not believe this if you search the parts department for that P/N because the paperwork is lagging the actual availability. My own dealership didn't believe it either because they couldn't verify it in their Parts Department. I bought my screens at the Scrape Armor website, had them sent to my dealership, and then had the dealership install them BEFORE I took delivery.
HTH.
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Also, can't tell from the video the size of the openings in the Paragon aluminum mesh. But to me looks more like the small Custom Car Grill mesh I and many used versus the one about twice the size more like the GM "approved" mesh. The museum obviously thinks that is good enough to avoid warranty issues.
Funny they would think the rear side fender mesh, which is the same mesh hole size as the front Paragon, might preset a warranty issue. Frankly the Driver's Side is really blocking nothing as the large fan is only to blow air over the engine compartment. No rads etc. The passenger side would be blocking the rear coolant rad on a Z51. But it's the same size mesh that, with the AC Condenser block the front coolant rads. Perhaps the concern is there is no AC Condenser in front and more air flow is needed? They certainly have thought it thru and have good reasons. Frankly I decided not to add the rear fender screens (and I have plenty of mesh screen to make them) because there is less likelihood of a rock getting that high. Also I don't have to clean any bugs and leaves etc now as they drop down and out of the car. With the mesh installed might have to keep clean.
Just some thoughts
Last edited by JerryU; Jul 7, 2022 at 06:42 PM.



















