C8 Radiator Stone Guards Expensive vs. Cheap
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 115
Likes: 76
From: CT
C8 Radiator Stone Guards Expensive vs. Cheap
I’ve noticed a big difference in price between guards. The ones from Chevy are $400 and there are others for under $100. Does anyone have experience with the different types? I see brands on eBay supposedly made in the USA for $79. They’re not the ones with zip ties and instead screw in. I’m not opposed to spending if needed but if they are basically the same I’d rather save.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 302
Likes: 148
From: Seattle, WA
The Billfaro set on amazon for $80 fit perfectly. I used zip ties on the very bottom, in addition to the 3m double sided tape, but would’ve done the same with the $400 set anyways (the zip ties are not visible since they are under the grill).
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,396
Likes: 8,559
- "This listing is for an Iron material grill insert kit for Corvette C8 from 2020-2022. ...... These grills come in Powder Coated Iron material .
- CNC laser cut from aluminum and then powder coated
- The front grille manufactures from a high quality Iron(not cheap, dull Iron material ). Diamond Aluminum i......... This universal Diamond Diamond Aluminumracing grill ....... "
Life Time NCM #2196
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 82,592
Likes: 1,710
From: Converse TX
Before the factory started offering these I went with Radiator Grill Store set and you are hard pressed to see the zip ties and they work great and in the Texas heat zero issues as they have been through a summer already. 
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 274
Likes: 32
From: Augusta MO
The $80 eBay no zip tie version is sturdy and works great. See my previous post.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...protector.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...protector.html
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 213
Likes: 149
From: Westminster, CA
if you plan to track your car get the GM ones made by scrape armor. Those have been track tested and will probably result in less hassles for any warranty issues involving overheating. that is part of the reason i got those as oppose to other options
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 310
Likes: 94
From: Chicago
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 213
Likes: 119
I got the $80+Tax ones from Amazon, they've worked well and stayed put (even at track speeds). I've compared with the 'scrape armor' ones when I was at Carlisle last year; no appreciable difference once either set are installed properly and certainly nothing different from even 2- 3 ft away ?
Also my servicing Chevy Dealer didn't notice or cared that I had grilles on. I wouldn't run a C8 without them.
Also my servicing Chevy Dealer didn't notice or cared that I had grilles on. I wouldn't run a C8 without them.
Instructor
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 120
Likes: 103
From: Allendale MI
Customcargrills shipped right from Amazon to my door for $80. Made in USA, super sturdy and you can’t see the zip ties unless you are looking for them. The owner has a link to a video with great instructions. The most time consuming part was getting the front splitter and little cover off to feed the grills into position. Appreciate the recommendations made earlier 👍
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 103
Likes: 65
From: Buckeye, AZ
Customcargrills provides a lot of information including the "open area" of the various meshes. Some are as low as 35%, most between 60% and 70% No wonder Tadge was critical of the aftermarket grill protectors they tested. Actually, there was another mesh that had 25% open area, but that one was obviously obstructive to flow. With most of the other meshes, it was not easy to guess what the open area was.
This one is 81%, but of course, it is XXL with 0.45" openings:
https://www.customcargrills.com/prod...d=Perf-Hex-XXL
The next best was a hexagon with .0.25" openings at 77% open area. That would stop a lot more rocks with not much decrease in open area.
https://www.customcargrills.com/prod...?prod=Perf-Hex
That is what they use in the pre-cut grill.
I found a very cheap grill set for both sides and the center for under $26. No wonder, the mesh opening is 0.20 x 0.14. Hmmmm.... My rough calculation came up with an open area of 52%. ARGH! I wish Tadge had been a little more explicit and I had seen customgrills' open area numbers beforehand.
This one is 81%, but of course, it is XXL with 0.45" openings:
https://www.customcargrills.com/prod...d=Perf-Hex-XXL
The next best was a hexagon with .0.25" openings at 77% open area. That would stop a lot more rocks with not much decrease in open area.
https://www.customcargrills.com/prod...?prod=Perf-Hex
That is what they use in the pre-cut grill.
I found a very cheap grill set for both sides and the center for under $26. No wonder, the mesh opening is 0.20 x 0.14. Hmmmm.... My rough calculation came up with an open area of 52%. ARGH! I wish Tadge had been a little more explicit and I had seen customgrills' open area numbers beforehand.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,396
Likes: 8,559
Customcargrills provides a lot of information including the "open area" of the various meshes. Some are as low as 35%, most between 60% and 70% No wonder Tadge was critical of the aftermarket grill protectors they tested. Actually, there was another mesh that had 25% open area, but that one was obviously obstructive to flow. With most of the other meshes, it was not easy to guess what the open area was.
This one is 81%, but of course, it is XXL with 0.45" openings:
https://www.customcargrills.com/prod...d=Perf-Hex-XXL
The next best was a hexagon with .0.25" openings at 77% open area. That would stop a lot more rocks with not much decrease in open area.
https://www.customcargrills.com/prod...?prod=Perf-Hex
That is what they use in the pre-cut grill.
I found a very cheap grill set for both sides and the center for under $26. No wonder, the mesh opening is 0.20 x 0.14. Hmmmm.... My rough calculation came up with an open area of 52%. ARGH! I wish Tadge had been a little more explicit and I had seen customgrills' open area numbers beforehand.
This one is 81%, but of course, it is XXL with 0.45" openings:
https://www.customcargrills.com/prod...d=Perf-Hex-XXL
The next best was a hexagon with .0.25" openings at 77% open area. That would stop a lot more rocks with not much decrease in open area.
https://www.customcargrills.com/prod...?prod=Perf-Hex
That is what they use in the pre-cut grill.
I found a very cheap grill set for both sides and the center for under $26. No wonder, the mesh opening is 0.20 x 0.14. Hmmmm.... My rough calculation came up with an open area of 52%. ARGH! I wish Tadge had been a little more explicit and I had seen customgrills' open area numbers beforehand.
