[Modshack]

Originally Posted by HyperBlue16

Not really imagination. I have had cars that tossed up junk into the front area by the tires(which did not have a lot of plastic like the camaro) and built up in cracks and crevices, that caused rust.

??...Um...From GM:

And rather than a traditional front air dam to reduce aerodynamic lift, the team developed a flush belly pan that stretches from the front grille to the center of the vehicle. Paired with small “spats” forward of the front tires, the smooth underbody helps reduce total lift by 30 percent – while also reducing aerodynamic drag.

http://media.chevrolet.com/media/us/...ro-teaser.html

[Glen e]

Originally Posted by Modshack

??...Um...From GM:

And rather than a traditional front air dam to reduce aerodynamic lift, the team developed a flush belly pan that stretches from the front grille to the center of the vehicle. Paired with small “spats” forward of the front tires, the smooth underbody helps reduce total lift by 30 percent – while also reducing aerodynamic drag.

http://media.chevrolet.com/media/us/...ro-teaser.html

Absolutely, i know they do something, but it more important for me to have a clean look and use my ramps than have the reduction "in lift" - and thats what makes life great, its your car, do what makes you happy!

[hammdo]

Similar to what the current ZL1 has, I'm sure that is where it came from. Aero benefit for sure to redirect air ... If you're tracking it ;o)

I have them and I use race ramps instead of the Rhino ramps...

-Don

[Modshack]

Originally Posted by Glen e

Absolutely, i know they do something, but it more important for me to have a clean look and use my ramps than have the reduction "in lift" - and thats what makes life great, its your car, do what makes you happy!

Yup....I'm all about function and efficiency, but that's me.....

Besides, I have a lift so NO ramp gyrations....

[SPARTAN sui]

Is there any ramps that will clear them easily? I don't any ramps yet and I'm in the market to start doing my own oil changes after my first two.

[suzook]

Originally Posted by Glen e

Probably some....about .00001 pct mpg.....

I lost about 8 mpg when I removed them. So back on they went

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by JFM-jr

Im wondering if the black rubber dams in front of each front wheel serve a function? I was going to remove them to get up and down Rhino ramps easier doing oil changes.

They help at highway speeds to reduce drag on the front tires as they push through the air. In addition, they work with the belly pans to assist in a small way to reduce front end lift. So yes, they are very much functional...

vital? Well...they're bound to hit things and get eaten up, which why they're made of rubber.

[gprox_69]

wondering if anybody here is willing to part ways with their rubber air deflector? looking for one... have a project in mind...

[freddyD]

They may just deflect something in the road like a tree branch or something I'm leaving mine on, you can barely see them.

[Odd Jobb]

LOL!!! Thanks! didn't even know they there

[Richard0nee]

My left one is kind of beat up from a steep driveway.. checked to see how much it cost, it was $80 :/

[Darcane]

Originally Posted by SPARTAN sui

Is there any ramps that will clear them easily? I don't any ramps yet and I'm in the market to start doing my own oil changes after my first two.

For less than the price of new ramps... build your own.

My daily beater is lowered and can't use normal ramps. I used several 2x10s to build ramps. The bottom board is 6', the next is 4.5', the next is 3', then a 1.5' board. Add a small stop on the top and it's good to go. Add a couple strips of rubber underneath if they are used on smooth pavement to keep them from sliding.

They are heavy, but I find they work better than any other modestly priced ramp I've tried, and they are stout enough to drive full-size trucks on.



As for the original question, airflow around your tires/wheels accounts for a disproportionate amount of the overall drag of your car. Small improvements here can make noticeable changes in drag. Removing the spats will likely worsen fuel economy, but unless you pay very close attention to it, you probably won't notice (probably ~0.5mpg).

[Marine Corps]

They're functional and mine are staying where they are unless they're torn off. Chevrolet has used them on Corvettes for several years. Do you really think Chevrolet just added them for "grins"? Why doesn't anyone asks an expert at GM or Chevrolet for the reasoning behind them.

Or perhaps you can trust this statement, "They're made for speeds exceeding 125 mph". Or some such off the wall comment made by a forum member on this thread.

[Glen e]

Originally Posted by Marine Corps

They're functional and mine are staying where they are unless they're torn off. Chevrolet has used them on Corvettes for several years. Do you really think Chevrolet just added them for "grins"? Why doesn't anyone asks an expert at GM or Chevrolet for the reasoning behind them.

Or perhaps you can trust this statement, "They're made for speeds exceeding 125 mph". Or some such off the wall comment made by a forum member on this thread.

That statement was made by a c7 engineer. I don't post crap:

John Bednarchik, Corvette Lead Aerodynamics Engineer, as saying the Z51 center section of the front lip was removed for better stability at high speeds. He also. latter in the article, suggests that high speeds are those above 150 mph. Comments is also made about them trying "100" different outside mirror shapes.

Further, at the NCM 2015 fest, he was asked if taking them off would hurt. His direct answer was" only at speeds over 150 mph."