[travislambert]

It's a pain to have to pull out a ratchet before and after every track event to remove and replace the water deflector. I recently bought some thumb-screws to solve that problem.

I bought three different thumb screw variants:


From left to right:

Plastic Knob Thumb Screw
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JR3UO20

Steel Knurled Head Thumb Screw
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005RTEEDI

Stainless Steel Wing Thumb Screw
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LWNH107

(The forth is the stock fastener.)

Here they are installed:

The plastic knob looks cheap, feels cheap, but feels very secure when you tighten it down. It's not for me though.


The steel knob looks nice, feels nice, and feels pretty secure. This is my favorite of the three. I'm thinking I might use a little blue loctite on the threads, and I'm considering a washer to put with it.


The stainless wings kinda clash with with all of the other black bolts under the hood. They feel like they're good quality and are easy to secure. However, these will most certainly need a washer to go with them.

[Bow Tie Affair]

Originally Posted by travislambert

It's a pain to have to pull out a ratchet before and after every track event to remove and replace the water deflector. I recently bought some thumb-screws to solve that problem.

I bought three different thumb screw variants:
Attachment 911666

From left to right:

Plastic Knob Thumb Screw
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JR3UO20

Steel Knurled Head Thumb Screw
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005RTEEDI

Stainless Steel Wing Thumb Screw
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LWNH107

(The forth screw is the stock fastener.)

Here they are installed:
Attachment 911673
The plastic knob looks cheap, feels cheap, but feels very secure when you tighten it down. It's not for me though.

Attachment 911674
The steel knob looks nice, feels nice, and feels pretty secure. This is my favorite of the three. I'm thinking I might use a little blue loctite on the threads, and I'm considering a washer to put with it.

Attachment 911669
The stainless wings kinda clash with with all of the other black bolts under the hood. They feel like they're good quality and are easy to secure. However, these will most certainly need a washer to go with them.

I would use the steel knob with flat washer and lock washer minus the locktite.

[glenB]

If you're going to be removing it occasionally you might want to use the Purple Locitite. It's for low strength be will do the job with out causing a problem.

The round one looks best, use a washer and paint it black or color match it

[travislambert]

Originally Posted by glenB

If you're going to be removing it occasionally you might want to use the Purple Locitite. It's for low strength be will do the job with out causing a problem.

The round one looks best, use a washer and paint it black or color match it

Forgot about the purple loctite. I normally only keep blue 242 and red 272 around, but you're right. This might be a perfect case for the purple.

If I recall correctly, the original threads had some type of thread locker on them. I've had them in and out of the holes so many times it's pretty much gone now.

[Infern0]

Nice reminder about the deflector too. Forgot about that when I went to the track a few weeks back.

[Stephen12ZL1]

I feel it is no big deal to leave out the water deflector. Mine has been out since the second day of ownership.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

I feel it is no big deal to leave out the water deflector. Mine has been out since the second day of ownership.

You just want to watch how often you drive, or rather sit still, in heavy rains...it will pour over the radiator, fans, and front engine components. The engine compartment is designed to be a wet environment...but not exposed - which is basically what it is without the water deflector.

If you rarely are out in those conditions, you're probably fine.

[ARS1]

That's an awesome idea and I like the steel knob as well maybe with a lock washer and a little bit of purple locktite.

[travislambert]

I ordered Loctite and washers last night:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002KKTT0
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009OK2AZK

I'm not sure if those the washers will work, but I should know soon.

[17CamaroZL1]

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

I feel it is no big deal to leave out the water deflector. Mine has been out since the second day of ownership.

I've done the same thing. Removed it for my second track event and it never went back in. I never drive it in the rain, so it's no big deal. I've washed the car with it out and don't see any issues.

I still like the idea of the thumb screws. Should've been that way from the factory.

[waterman]

[travislambert]

Ideally, I like to find a stud that would permanently mount into the bolt holes in the hood, and then use a clip or pin of some sort (tethered to the water deflector) to secure the water deflector.

I couldn't find any off the shelf fasteners that would work, so that's why I started looking at thumb screws.

[Stephen12ZL1]

Originally Posted by Mr. Wyndham

You just want to watch how often you drive, or rather sit still, in heavy rains...it will pour over the radiator, fans, and front engine components. The engine compartment is designed to be a wet environment...but not exposed - which is basically what it is without the water deflector.

If you rarely are out in those conditions, you're probably fine.

I would not worry that this plastic thing has a huge effect on anything. The ‘15 Z/28 was wide open without its water deflector. You could see the oil tank and upper intake with it removed. Radiators, fans, and front engine components don’t mind a little rain. Nervous nellies need to “dial it back” and worry about a real issue. I promise my intentions aren’t to be a jerk...

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

I would not worry that this plastic thing has a huge effect on anything. The ‘15 Z/28 was wide open without its water deflector. You could see the oil tank and upper intake with it removed. Radiators, fans, and front engine components don’t mind a little rain. Nervous nellies need to “dial it back” and worry about a real issue. I promise my intentions aren’t to be a jerk...

We're each entitled to our choices. Certainly neither will change the world...I had the same vent as Z/28 on my 2014 - I took it off and back on each track day just like I do with this one.

Not a nervous nelly...I just like cheap insurance by using the OE functionality.