When installing my side vent screens I noticed something interesting.
First off, for those that are unaware, the side vents are functional. They allow hot air from the engine compartment a place to exit, mostly at speed. If you look inside of them, you'll notice a black piece of plastic. The function of that piece is strictly cosmetic and prevents you from being able to see less aesthetically pleasing parts under the body work. It also prevents the ducts from functioning to their fullest capacity. These shrouds (for lack of proper term) are easily removed from inside the compartments of the front wheel wells and open up a huge hole for hot air to drawn out due to the shape of the ducts.
I didn't remove them on my car (yet) since I'm waiting for my warranty to expire before I go racing and wouldn't recommend it unless you were in fact auto xing. (I doubt it would benefit a drag car since the ducts function at speed and you're not at speed long enough at the drags) For you track racers in the crowd this would be an easy way to get a little extra cooling under the hood. Probably not a huge difference but if you were to look at the ducts without the shrouds, you could plainly see the benefit
I've also thought that removing the top hood seal cowl weather stripping during competition might increase air circulation and cooling. I am unsure of the direction of the airflow there however.
I am sure at low speeds and at idle it would vent the hot under hood air. At moderate speeds it may infact vacume the air out from under the hood. But at high speeds this becomes a high pressure area and the airflow may reverse, ala the "Cowl Induction Hood". However if the side cowl vents were opened up this would probably increase the cooling airflow. But it might push hot under hood ait towards the airbox too. Of course if you have a cold or ram induction box that wouldn't matter.
There may be a downside of opening up the passengerside side cowl vent on a street car however.
Can you see the battery from the right side with the cover removed? This was a favorite method for car thieves on the C4. They would use a heavy screw driver through the drivers side gill vents on a C4 to puncture and drain the battery, thus disabling the theft deterant and alarm system; gain access to the car, then use a spare battery to jump start it to steal it. They do sell armoured plates for the C4 Battery to thwart this method.
So removing those side cowl vent covers may put some ideas into the head of a novice theif. An accomplished Carjacker would not be detered however by a side cowl vent cover nor SS screen for that matter.
This is an interesting thread! I just participated in my first FATT at Summit Point Raceway in West Virginia. I noticed my heat climbing into the 225-230 range on the hairpins and sustained curves. But when I reached 130+ on the straight-away, it cooled down to 195! I believe the Z06 has quite a lot of air being moved through it at sustained speed and when you slow down for the curves, that air just isn't being moved through the vents as efficiently (is this logical or what?). Just my observations first hand and my .02.
Originally posted by DJWorm I've also thought that removing the top hood seal cowl weather stripping during competition might increase air circulation and cooling. I am unsure of the direction of the airflow there however.
I am sure at low speeds and at idle it would vent the hot under hood air. At moderate speeds it may infact vacume the air out from under the hood. But at high speeds this becomes a high pressure area and the airflow may reverse, ala the "Cowl Induction Hood". However if the side cowl vents were opened up this would probably increase the cooling airflow. But it might push hot under hood ait towards the airbox too. Of course if you have a cold or ram induction box that wouldn't matter.
There may be a downside of opening up the passengerside side cowl vent on a street car however.
Can you see the battery from the right side with the cover removed? This was a favorite method for car thieves on the C4. They would use a heavy screw driver through the drivers side gill vents on a C4 to puncture and drain the battery, thus disabling the theft deterant and alarm system; gain access to the car, then use a spare battery to jump start it to steal it. They do sell armoured plates for the C4 Battery to thwart this method.
So removing those side cowl vent covers may put some ideas into the head of a novice theif. An accomplished Carjacker would not be detered however by a side cowl vent cover nor SS screen for that matter.
A lot of interesting points. As far as theft goes, the shrouds attach by 2 or 3 screws that hide under the lip of the wheel well access panel and would be easy to pop out if someone wanted to get in there anyway. I don't think you can see the battery but I could be wrong. Regardless, I don't think I'd do this mod strictly on a street driven car.
Last edited by VettTheRipper : 06-25-2002 at 08:32 AM.
Originally posted by gmblack3 Would it be possible to remove them for track events and replace them after, without too much trouble?
It seems like it would be pretty easy as the screws that hold them in are under the outboard lip of the wheel well access panels. But as I mentioned before, unless you race a lot, this wouldn't be a mod I'd consider.
Another question- On a daily driver, rain or shine car, is there a possibility of rain hitting something it shouldn't?
I've thought about removing them too, because they make the vents look fake/non-functional a la late 80's Camaro hoods and the current Mustang side vents.
Originally posted by Javelin Another question- On a daily driver, rain or shine car, is there a possibility of rain hitting something it shouldn't?
I've thought about removing them too, because they make the vents look fake/non-functional a la late 80's Camaro hoods and the current Mustang side vents.
Unless it's raining side-ways it's unlikely. Additionally, the compartments in the wheel wells are not sealed. Driving in the rain causes water to splash inside these areas. Considering that the PCM is under the passenger side vent, I think it's safe to assume everything is fairly waterproof.
WHEN I INSTALLED THE GILL GRILLES I NOTICED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE A SEALED BOX PCM? I THINK YOU CALLED IT AND THOUGHT ALSO ABOUT REMOVING IT THE( BLACK PLASTIC COVER)HOWEVER , I DID NOTICE THAT IF YOU REMOVE IT, YOU MIGHT GET WATER IN THROUGH THE WHEEL WELS AND ANYWAY LEFT THOSE ON SINCE I DON'T THINK I SAW ANY BENEFIT TO THE ENGINE, IN REMOVING IT AND IF I REMEMBER RIGHT I NEVER SAW THE BATTERY WITHOUT IT ON.
Personally "Vette the ripper" with your sig list if your dealer was a stickler your warranty is done regardless of your racing... the Z06 was made for it and would doubt your dealer would "void" your warranty for driving the car the way it was built to be run in the first place... pretty lame excuse for not truely having fun with your car... don't tell me your one of the C5 choads i pass everyday driving in the slow lane... i would think not but DRIVE THE DAMN CAR... whats the difference from running on the street and highway to running on the track? how does the dealer know where and how you drive your car?
Originally posted by Chicago ZO6 Personally "Vette the ripper" with your sig list if your dealer was a stickler your warranty is done regardless of your racing... the Z06 was made for it and would doubt your dealer would "void" your warranty for driving the car the way it was built to be run in the first place... pretty lame excuse for not truely having fun with your car... don't tell me your one of the C5 choads i pass everyday driving in the slow lane... i would think not but DRIVE THE DAMN CAR... whats the difference from running on the street and highway to running on the track? how does the dealer know where and how you drive your car?
First off, you dealer cannot void your warranty because of mods. It's against the law. Sure, there are a few things that wouldn't be covered any more such as my cats, but that doesn't bother me. Not racing it till my warranty is up......that's my "official" story and I'm sticking to it
And what's wrong with the slow lane? I have just as much fun doing 150 in the right lane as I do in the left
Last edited by VettTheRipper : 06-26-2002 at 02:54 AM.
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I just participated in my first FATT at Summit Point Raceway in West Virginia. I noticed my heat climbing into the 225-230 range on the hairpins and sustained curves. But when I reached 130+ on the straight-away, it cooled down to 195! 
I believe the Z06 has quite a lot of air being moved through it at sustained speed and when you slow down for the curves, that air just isn't being moved through the vents as efficiently (is this logical or what?). Just my observations first hand and my .02. 
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