Are the tire air deflectors necessary?

ALC · 12-10-2022, 07:48 PM

I recently bought an SS and the tire air deflector pieces are gone. Are they necessary to replace or can I leave them off? Will it impact cooling? Here’s a link to a picture of the part I’m talking about: https://imgur.com/a/1CFIoMb

2SS Capt · 12-10-2022, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALC

I recently bought an SS and the tire air deflector pieces are gone. Are they necessary to replace or can I leave them off? Will it impact cooling? Here’s a link to a picture of the part I’m talking about: https://imgur.com/a/1CFIoMb

I don't think they are so much cooling as they are to deflect air around your tires to lessen any lift they may produce... I think you'll be fine without them...

arpad_m · 12-10-2022, 09:50 PM

I installed a front splitter and got rid of these eyesores for good. Not only does the splitter look sharp, it also helps with downforce and alleviates the need for these deflectors to some extent.

For the record, the ZL1 has a much better tire deflector design, but unfortunately those pieces aren't a direct swap with the SS parts.

Gen6cyl · 12-10-2022, 11:10 PM

I think they are called splats. I think they are worth having, not expensive and not as prone to damage as a splitter. They help with aero by keeping some air from getting in fender well.

ctrlz · 12-12-2022, 11:01 AM

Those pieces of rubber are there for fuel economy. They reduce drag by directing air away from the tires. When air hits the moving tire tread it creates vortices. That causes more drag.
This is the type of thing that is mainly there for when they EPA certify the car. Going around the track 100 times it may add 0.1 mpg. With a car like this they need to milk those tenths for all they can.

kropscamaro16 · 12-12-2022, 11:15 AM

nope not necessary

Osbornsm · 12-12-2022, 11:30 AM

for MPG, NOT for cooling.

SS 1LE doesn't have them.

ALC · 12-13-2022, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctrlz

Those pieces of rubber are there for fuel economy. They reduce drag by directing air away from the tires. When air hits the moving tire tread it creates vortices. That causes more drag.
This is the type of thing that is mainly there for when they EPA certify the car. Going around the track 100 times it may add 0.1 mpg. With a car like this they need to milk those tenths for all they can.

Makes sense, thanks for the explanation

CorvetteRon · 01-11-2025, 01:25 PM

I have one of these air declectors in front of each front tire on my '23 SS.
They prevent me from using my garage ramps, so I have to remove them to do oil changes, etc. Not a problem.
But there is no noticeable driving differance if I procrastinate in reinstalling them.

p47dman · 01-11-2025, 02:15 PM

Mine came with replacements parts. Stated if going to track replace the standard ones with the upgrade. They are for cooling the brakes.

2SS Capt · 01-11-2025, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by p47dman

Mine came with replacements parts. Stated if going to track replace the standard ones with the upgrade. They are for cooling the brakes.

You are talking about the brake cooling deflectors, those are different than what the OP was talking about (the tire air deflectors that you can see under the car in front of each front tire)...

p47dman · 01-11-2025, 08:08 PM

Pretty sure you are supposed to remove stock deflectors and replace with performance parts. After track remove them and reinstall stock deflectors.

IMCWORTH · 01-11-2025, 08:30 PM

prevents Air lift for the ZL1 SS not so much.

p47dman · 01-11-2025, 08:54 PM

My instructions also say do NOT drive without them.

12-10-2022, 07:48 PM	#1
ALC Drives: 2016 Camaro SS M6 Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: United States Posts: 17 View My Garage	Are the tire air deflectors necessary? I recently bought an SS and the tire air deflector pieces are gone. Are they necessary to replace or can I leave them off? Will it impact cooling? Here’s a link to a picture of the part I’m talking about: https://imgur.com/a/1CFIoMb

12-10-2022, 09:50 PM	#3
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 13,451 View My Garage	I installed a front splitter and got rid of these eyesores for good. Not only does the splitter look sharp, it also helps with downforce and alleviates the need for these deflectors to some extent. For the record, the ZL1 has a much better tire deflector design, but unfortunately those pieces aren't a direct swap with the SS parts. __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle Terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

12-12-2022, 11:15 AM	#6
kropscamaro16 Drives: 2016 1ss camaro Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 909 Posts: 10,136	nope not necessary __________________ 16 1SS NIGHTFALL GRAY METALLIC WITH NPP #BECAUSERACECAR #SAVETHEMANUALS

12-12-2022, 11:30 AM	#7
Osbornsm Drives: 2018 SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Illinois Posts: 706 View My Garage	for MPG, NOT for cooling. SS 1LE doesn't have them. __________________ 2018 Camaro SS 1LE - 2011 370z - 2004 VW R32 - 2000 Civic Si Mods: Rotofab, Nick Williams 103mm TB, MSD IM, Kooks 1 7/8 Results: 470 hp / 447 tq

01-11-2025, 01:25 PM	#9
CorvetteRon Drives: Camaro, Corvette Join Date: May 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 5	Air Deflectors I have one of these air declectors in front of each front tire on my '23 SS. They prevent me from using my garage ramps, so I have to remove them to do oil changes, etc. Not a problem. But there is no noticeable driving differance if I procrastinate in reinstalling them.

12-10-2022, 11:10 PM	#4
Gen6cyl Banned Drives: Chevy Camaro 2021 ,rs, v6, manual Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Georgia Posts: 984	I think they are called splats. I think they are worth having, not expensive and not as prone to damage as a splitter. They help with aero by keeping some air from getting in fender well.

12-12-2022, 11:01 AM	#5
ctrlz Drives: 2017 2SS, 50th pkg, M6, MRC, NPP Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Ocean City, NJ Posts: 3,578	Those pieces of rubber are there for fuel economy. They reduce drag by directing air away from the tires. When air hits the moving tire tread it creates vortices. That causes more drag. This is the type of thing that is mainly there for when they EPA certify the car. Going around the track 100 times it may add 0.1 mpg. With a car like this they need to milk those tenths for all they can.

01-11-2025, 02:15 PM	#10
p47dman Drives: 2024 Camaro 1SS Join Date: Mar 2024 Location: Minnesota Posts: 435	Mine came with replacements parts. Stated if going to track replace the standard ones with the upgrade. They are for cooling the brakes.

01-11-2025, 08:08 PM	#12
p47dman Drives: 2024 Camaro 1SS Join Date: Mar 2024 Location: Minnesota Posts: 435	Pretty sure you are supposed to remove stock deflectors and replace with performance parts. After track remove them and reinstall stock deflectors. Attached Images

01-11-2025, 08:30 PM	#13
IMCWORTH Drives: 2023 Camaro Convertible ZL1 A10 Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: CA Posts: 380 View My Garage	prevents Air lift for the ZL1 SS not so much. Attached Images

01-11-2025, 08:54 PM	#14
p47dman Drives: 2024 Camaro 1SS Join Date: Mar 2024 Location: Minnesota Posts: 435	My instructions also say do NOT drive without them.

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