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Ive been doing a ton of research trying to find out which front lip is the best looking but also has the best function that wont make my car over heat. Im leaning towards Vortex. What do you guys think?
Can confirm that the two most common eBay splitters (the "CS" style one and the ZR1 style one) cause higher coolant temps. When running them as is I never actually got into overheat territory, but temps were too high for comfort. Cruising on the highway without a splitter I'd be around 192° and with a splitter I saw constant temps around 210-220° without even any spirited driving.
I'm now using the ZR1 style splitter and to remedy the reduced airflow I'm using a very similar approach that this thread provided. I made some ducts/vents/whatever you want to call them that sit behind the front fascia and direct airflow to the radiator. With both the ducts and the splitter installed, my coolant temps are the same as if I were running without a splitter, even in hot & humid FL temps.
I can't give any info on a Vortex or other brands, but wanted to give an alternate route if you're interested in something more DIY oriented. I daily my car so a splitter will see a lot of abuse, when the time comes that this one gets trashed I'll be out much less than I would be with a higher end splitter. Looks are going to be personal preference, but here's a photo of both different types on mine:
I have the ACI and love it. I'd say find one that you like design wise but make sure it's open in the middle for the airflow function that you'll need. On mine I actually cut the lip off the back so the air would have full access to where it needed to go. I haven't had any issues with over heating at all. Those little square parts are actually gone now too. It's completely open on the back side.
I've had the eBay ZR1 splitter on for a few weeks with no issues. It's never gone over 195. A lot of people remedy their overheating issues with this particular lip by cutting out the area that allows airflow to the radiator. Simple to do and effective. My "secret sauce" to not having any issues with it is a 160 degree thermostat and having the fans programmed to come on earlier. Obviously you don't want to go through that expense JUST to run a lip, but I already had the tune so it was just an added bonus It's going to get scraped and take some unintentional abuse, there's no way I'm willing to pay upwards of $400 for something like that haha. Install was pretty straightforward (has dimples where screws should go, but only comes with 8 and it should use 13) and I retained all OEM air dams.
That little 'ramp' that you cut through is designed to direct the cold air up into your radiator, exactly where you want it to go. Cutting through it only makes the airflow worse. If you still have the factory center 'deflector' mounted behind the splitter than your airflow should still be OK but if that's removed then your car is not using the cold air efficiently
These things look like they'd scape all the time going into parking lots and driveways...
It's 100% worth it for the car to look this sexy haha
seriously though. if you daily drive your car... or just drive it a lot. and you're lowered... this is a terrible idea haha. The issue isn't potholes. it's transitions. the C5 already has a long front end, long wheelbase, and long overhang. so adding the lip makes it tough. if you look in the pic with the yellow C5 in the background. The road goes down a hill. well at teh bottom i couldn't get out. no way. had the car on 2 wheels seesawing trying not to destroy the lip lol. it was just too extreme of an angle.
That said... I love it. i've hit it. it's a little chipped and has a crack. But it still looks incredible. I don't daily the car. it's a toy. and i look at the lip as a "disposable" item. I figured i'd get 3 or 4 good years out of it before it starts looking a little rough.
I just recently got the vortex lip, the opening in the middle helps so the car doesnt run hotter. Goes right into the air dam. Also got some side skirts. All painted gloss black.
I like the Corvette Creations C5R replica lip, but carbon+ track time= broken
I don’t have a link as I bought mine off this forum usd a few years ago. This one is made of fiberglass and pretty durable.
Originally Posted by jd_black_00
That little 'ramp' that you cut through is designed to direct the cold air up into your radiator, exactly where you want it to go. Cutting through it only makes the airflow worse. If you still have the factory center 'deflector' mounted behind the splitter than your airflow should still be OK but if that's removed then your car is not using the cold air efficiently
I did leave the middle factory deflector so it gets the air it needs. Even in Arizona it doesn’t have any issues, other then scraping a lot.
From: Ideals are peaceful...History is violent...St.Charles, MO.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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I bought the Carbon Creations carbon fiber splitter 3 years ago. Not cheap and the waiting time for it is a long time as it's produced in Greece. Excellent quality and looks.
Whether or not it's the best, is a matter of opinion. Just a comparison with other splitters, I'm glad I ante'd up for it.
I also have and like the ACI and left the center air deflector on. No cooling issues either. I actually get more cool air from the front and bottom of the car.
I do like the look of the fairly new one from C7 Carbon a little bit better, I think though. Maybe down the road....
Has anyone used these splitters on the track? It would be good to know if there is any temp increases and if they hold up to speeds in excess to 140.
Spaggs
I haven't had it at a track day but have had the car up to 155+, mexico of course, without any damage to anything. Granted it's not a sustained speed so not sure how it would hold up for an extended time.
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What is the best front lip for the C5??
It's going to get scraped and take some unintentional abuse, there's no way I'm willing to pay upwards of $400 for something like that haha. Install was pretty straightforward (has dimples where screws should go, but only comes with 8 and it should use 13) and I retained all OEM air dams.
