Front air dam question
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Front air dam question
There are 3 pieces to the front air dam. The left and right corner valence pieces and the center deflector.
My question is are they supposed to be lined up or is the center deflector supposed to be 4-6" further back than the valence pieces?
My question is are they supposed to be lined up or is the center deflector supposed to be 4-6" further back than the valence pieces?
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jaki30 (05-20-2018)
#6
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As long as we're talking about the air dam, I cut about 1 inch off the bottom of mine with a Dremel. Haven't noticed any difference in how the car drives. Much less scraping on road surfaces. Any input on what these things actually do?
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jaki30 (05-20-2018)
#7
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They direct airflow from the tires at high speeds. It's part of the aero setup of the car.
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jaki30 (05-21-2018)
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All three pieces of my air dam are lined up.
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jaki30 (05-21-2018)
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Some pictures
I snapped a couple pictures. I don't see any evidence that the parts are not installed as they were from the factory. The only thing I did note was there is a screen in the opening of the bumper probably to minimize stuff from reaching the radiator.
Any help/comments would be appreciated.
Any help/comments would be appreciated.
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Has anyone tried a Big Mouth Air Dam on a C5? I had one on my C4, and worked nicely.
#14
Now having said all that the air dams/front spoilers (not to include splitters) are there to deflect air down and away from the body of the car not the tires. The body of the Corvette is somewhat similar to an airplane wing. Air flowing over a wing creates low pressure above the wing. Air flow below the car creates high pressure and together they create lift. Reducing or deflecting air passing under the body reduces the high pressure and hinders lift. All of this is only happening at higher speeds ie 60 mph and up. That's how the air dam got it's name. It blocks air flow thus reducing it's velocity and reducing the car's tendency to lift.
Bernoulli's Principle explained by a laymen.
Last edited by norcalace; 05-21-2018 at 02:01 PM.
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Artn10s (03-20-2020)
#15
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I snapped a couple pictures. I don't see any evidence that the parts are not installed as they were from the factory. The only thing I did note was there is a screen in the opening of the bumper probably to minimize stuff from reaching the radiator.
Any help/comments would be appreciated.
Any help/comments would be appreciated.
Something is definitely not right and perhaps you should consider installing Fangs, as shown in this picture, to avoid further damage:
Last edited by GCG; 05-21-2018 at 02:27 PM.
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jaki30 (05-21-2018)
#16
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Damn... your fangs have definitely scrapped against some curbs at some point and it looks like the middle portion of the air dam is bent backwards... the spring isn't forcing it forward like it should. It should look like GCG's pic. I'd say you need new fangs and a new air dam.
Last edited by moncal90; 05-21-2018 at 02:36 PM.
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jaki30 (05-21-2018)
#17
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I snapped a couple pictures. I don't see any evidence that the parts are not installed as they were from the factory. The only thing I did note was there is a screen in the opening of the bumper probably to minimize stuff from reaching the radiator.
Any help/comments would be appreciated.
Any help/comments would be appreciated.
Last edited by bj1888; 05-21-2018 at 03:03 PM.
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jaki30 (05-21-2018)
#18
Melting Slicks
Damn... your fangs have definitely scrapped against some curbs at some point and it looks like the middle portion of the air dam is bent backwards... the spring isn't forcing it forward like it should. It should look like GCG's pic. I'd say you need new fangs and a new air dam.
Last edited by GCG; 05-21-2018 at 05:24 PM.
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jaki30 (05-21-2018)
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That isn't right. The center piece should be angled forward.
The center section is there to deflect air into the radiator. Without it, the coolant temperatures could possibly go up.
The two side deflectors are there for high speed stability. These cars will do over 170 mph right out of the factory. Apparently, these side deflectors help in some way. I would guess they deflect air around front tires as well as deflect air from getting under the car to prevent lift.
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jaki30 (05-21-2018)
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So "corner air deflectors" are perpendicular to the ground and the lower front portion of the tires are swept back (because they are round) and they are more resistant to air flow than the basically flat air dam? Doesn't pass the common sense test.
Now having said all that the air dams/front spoilers (not to include splitters) are there to deflect air down and away from the body of the car not the tires. The body of the Corvette is somewhat similar to an airplane wing. Air flowing over a wing creates low pressure above the wing. Air flow below the car creates high pressure and together they create lift. Reducing or deflecting air passing under the body reduces the high pressure and hinders lift. All of this is only happening at higher speeds ie 60 mph and up. That's how the air dam got it's name. It blocks air flow thus reducing it's velocity and reducing the car's tendency to lift.
Bernoulli's Principle explained by a laymen.
Now having said all that the air dams/front spoilers (not to include splitters) are there to deflect air down and away from the body of the car not the tires. The body of the Corvette is somewhat similar to an airplane wing. Air flowing over a wing creates low pressure above the wing. Air flow below the car creates high pressure and together they create lift. Reducing or deflecting air passing under the body reduces the high pressure and hinders lift. All of this is only happening at higher speeds ie 60 mph and up. That's how the air dam got it's name. It blocks air flow thus reducing it's velocity and reducing the car's tendency to lift.
Bernoulli's Principle explained by a laymen.