Question: C7 Air Dam

[Tuna]

While at the NCM last week, there were several C7s to look at and a couple to set in. Harlan Charles and others were around to discuss the C7 also. While listening to Harlan talk about the C7 outside the museum, I noticed that the Z51 C7 he was near was missing the center section of the front air dam - the black plastic panels that stick down below and behind the front bumper to keep air from getting under the car. Anyway, I did a quick survey of the 4 or 5 C7s in the area and noticed that every Z51 car was missing the center section of the air dam and all the non-Z51 cars had it.

I asked Harlan about this and was told the the Z51 car got more down force on the nose if the air was allowed under the nose and then vented up and over the hood and out the side vents thus allowing them to put the bigger spoiler on the rear to balance it. The standard C7 gets a full air dam and the small spoiler. Harlan also mentioned that the C7 "breathes" through the nose and not under the nose like the C4, C5 and partially like the C6.

This just seems odd to me but Harlan ought to know. Anybody want to explain this better?

 

[hotmtrsports]

Seems to me he answered your question didn't he?

Chuck M

 

[catbert]

Aero works in strange and mysterious ways, especially when a lot of the features are hidden by baffles, vents and panels under the bodywork. They about wore out the wind tunnel with the C7s, so I have to think they got it right. There was a time I wouldn't have assumed they got it right,but these days I do.

 

[Tuna]

Seems to me he answered your question didn't he?

Chuck M

I would like to think so.
Those of us that have owned C4s and C5s know that the missing center section usually leads to hot engines when working the car hard. It'll take some getting used to since the "standard" C7 has the center section and the Z51 does not.

I wonder what sort of splitter or air dam they are going to use on the new C7 ZO6/7/ZR1/L88 when it comes out?

 

[6 Shooter]

This must be a Z51 then...

 

[Tuna]

Z51 all right. It was also pointed out to me at the NCM that the Z51 is recoginzed by the full span spoiler - the standard Vettes don't get that - and the slotted brake rotors. Since these are all pre-production cars, one could assume that GM is mounting Z51 spoilers on standard Vettes. Once they hit the showrooms, all bets are off on that.

As for the slotted rotors, can't see them when the car is moving.

When you see just the side pieces of the air dam in front of the tires, it just looks like something is missing - but it ain't.

 

[stevebz06]

I'm having a hard time envisioning that front down force is increased by leaving the center section off. Now if they talking about BALANCE, where they had to give up some front down force to keep the car neutral, that I could see. Maybe it's time to consider a wing on the rear decklid.

 

[dtdennis]

I just got my new C7 Convertible with Z51. When I put it on the lift, I noticed that all the nut plates are in place under the center middle of the front fascia to mount an air dam; however, the whole center air dam is missing. It only has a small air dam at each corner. I did not know if the factory forgot it or not. It looked to me like it probably should not be installed so that air can get to the rotors (each rotor has an air deflector under the car to force air to the brakes). Also, since it is a convertible, it does not have the vents in the tops of the rear fenders for the air to cool the transmission and differential. Looks like there is a small deflector in the middle of the rear axle area to deflect the air that passes under the car. Anyway, I was worried that the center air dam was missing until I found this thread.

 

[Tom73]

I just got my new C7 Convertible with Z51. When I put it on the lift, I noticed that all the nut plates are in place under the center middle of the front fascia to mount an air dam; however, the whole center air dam is missing. It only has a small air dam at each corner. I did not know if the factory forgot it or not. It looked to me like it probably should not be installed so that air can get to the rotors (each rotor has an air deflector under the car to force air to the brakes). Also, since it is a convertible, it does not have the vents in the tops of the rear fenders for the air to cool the transmission and differential. Looks like there is a small deflector in the middle of the rear axle area to deflect the air that passes under the car. Anyway, I was worried that the center air dam was missing until I found this thread.

Those rear fender intakes moved to the inside of the wheel wells for the convertible.

Tom...