C8 VPO Front Inlet MECF Testers Feedback

[Richrat]

Hello All,
We are just finishing up field testing on our Front Inlets with several MECF testers. They are going to post their feedback on the product fit finish & quality right here in this thread.

I will be opening the website very, very soon. I know this has been said before, I'm very sorry! We had to complete quality & field testing before we could take orders.

Thank you so much for your support we are at the 99 yard line for real!

Rich

[KOPBET]

I want you to be at the one yard line 🤣. We know what you mean 👍

[jagamajajaran]

Fellow Forum Members,

It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Rich on the testing of his VPO Front Inlet Screens and I have now had the opportunity to install and test a set on my 2020 Corvette Z51 Coupe. In short, I couldn't be more pleased with the fit, finish, powder coating, honeycomb match, installation flexibility, and overall quality of this product. And they really make the front end look great by limiting the direct view of the unsightly heat exchangers.




Initially, I was concerned about three things:

1. Installation in front of the OEM grills.
2. Fitment of the lower corners after seeing the first installation photos.
3. Airflow capacity and ease of removal for track days.

Regarding installation over the OEM grills, not only does this make the installation much easier than if they were behind the grills, but the optional installation using zip ties makes for an easy removal if you ever need to clean the grills.

Regarding fitment of the lower corners, the screens ship perfectly flat, but since they are designed to be flexible, a slight bend of the lower inlets allows for perfect fitment. I hadn't realized how recessed the far lower corner of each grill is, but with a slight bend, the inlet screens fit perfectly.

Regarding airflow capacity and ease of removal for track days, I took the car out for a drive this afternoon in 95 degree temps. You can see from the photo taken near the end of the drive that cooling wasn't impacted at all. And with the zip tie installation, I can easily remove these for track days.






I was also impressed with the exact match of the inlet screen honeycomb design to the OEM honeycomb on the rear engine deck and lower rear fascia. It's a perfect match.





These Front Inlet Screens are a quality product that matches the quality of the car. They look and feel like the are an OEM accessory item. I've chosen to install mine for now via zip ties, which you can tell up close, but once you back away from the car a little, even this is not very noticeable. The included 3M tape installation is ideal if you do not plan on tracking your car.

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask here or in a private message. And thanks, Rich, for making an awesome product to cover the front grills and to protect the heat exchangers!








The next photo shows the difference in appearance between the passenger side with inlet screens installed and the driver side without.

[Tbob]

I would echo Jags comments, I installed mine this last Sunday and the install using the tape took about 20 minutes total... the reason I wanted these is that my coolers were already dinged up just from delivery...
the quality is the same as the challenge grills on my 360 ferrari and actually better looking...the fit is exact and matches the oem look...I did ceramic coat them as the instructions mentioned and they do clean up no problem.... I did a road test and found no discernible temperature issues both in town and on the highway....this application is a complete winner for the front end in my opinion regardless what color you are driving... it’s a good idea to read the instructions a few times ...the tape will be sticky ...I did the lower vents first so I could reach from the top to help guide the piece in...I did see a video where the installers were putting in the side rockers and wet the surface before installing so the tape wouldn’t stick right away but didn’t do that because I was afraid I would screw it up...but Rich should try that and see if that works... I think the value is there and this looks to be a very durable mod....good job Rich!
th

[jjsaustin]

Maybe it's just me, but I don't like the look of the screens in front of the existing black grill.

I would want something that went behind the existing black grill.

[Tbob]

There are some downsides as I see installing grills behind...taking the front end apart...which I will never do....replacing one if it gets hit by a large rock etc is easier from the front... I’ve already replaced a windshield....but you know....to each his/her own....if we stood back and criticized each other over various aspects of our cars...there wouldn’t be much fun in c8 whoville.now would there....

[DR X]

Rich, Can't wait till I can place my order for the screens. I'm sure Jag knows if this is a worthwhile item and that they will help protect our C8. Will use tape install since I'm not tracking. Thanks

[Jamvette]

Guys,

I installed the inlet... Review per the following:

Parts: Parts looks good, had a few issues which I would recommend they correct. (1) no cutout for the frunk switch access, (2) backside of parts require deburring to remove residual sharp metal edges, (3) actual placement of the self-adhesive tabs, requires bending further away to make contact with car, (4) the adhesive for the tabs, when you remove the strip to expose the adhesive, some had wood chips under the adhesive trapped to the grill, unable to remove, slightly poor assembly. FYI... adhesive tabs are very sticky, must be on point when installing.

Installation: Because of item 3 above, we bent some of the tabs to try and make contact with the car, it barely worked, if at all. I had to use tie wraps to ensure it does not come loose. I did not find out about the frunk switch issue until I was showing someone how to open the frunk from the outside. This is OK with me as I have the remote to open it, just a consideration for future customers.

Final observation: Grills looks great! I think it’s the best solution vs the other options. Once they fine tune, it will be a fantastic product.

[C8broughtmeback]

The frunk switch access was a deal breaker for me. I know I could have cut it out myself, but at that price would not have messed with it.

[Richrat]

Guys,

I installed the inlet... Review per the following:

Parts: Parts looks good, had a few issues which I would recommend they correct. (1) no cutout for the frunk switch access, (2) backside of parts require deburring to remove residual sharp metal edges, (3) actual placement of the self-adhesive tabs, requires bending further away to make contact with car, (4) the adhesive for the tabs, when you remove the strip to expose the adhesive, some had wood chips under the adhesive trapped to the grill, unable to remove, slightly poor assembly. FYI... adhesive tabs are very sticky, must be on point when installing.

Installation: Because of item 3 above, we bent some of the tabs to try and make contact with the car, it barely worked, if at all. I had to use tie wraps to ensure it does not come loose. I did not find out about the frunk switch issue until I was showing someone how to open the frunk from the outside. This is OK with me as I have the remote to open it, just a consideration for future customers.

Final observation: Grills looks great! I think it’s the best solution vs the other options. Once they fine tune, it will be a fantastic product.

Hi Jamvette,
1st if you are unhappy in any way with the my product please PM me & I will give you a full refund once recieved back. Not sure why you had issues with installation as no one else has needed to bend tabs out of almost 100 orders now shipped. My parts fit perfect and do not require any adjustment, one reason why I continually tell my customers in my video's & in the instructions that come in the box to test fit the parts before you remove the tape. If you had an issue during installation I would have liked a chance to talk to you about it. Also if we cut the metal out for the frunk it ruins the structural integrity of the part right in the middle where its most needed.

My parts have a return policy, test fit them all you want don't remove the tape cover & if your not happy you have 10 days to contact us to return them for a refund (this is on our website).

I really do appreciate you think its still the best solution, It is very important for us to have happy customers that's why our phone # is on our website. Also our instructions are on the website so anyone can review the installation procedure.

The reviews above from Jag &Tbob speak for themselves, neither had any issues with fitment they state the opposite, my parts fit like a factory part.


Thank you very much for the purchase, please contact me so we can resolve your issue.

Rich

[mgillanders]

I am still able to access the frunk switch after installation of the screens. You have to reach up from under the horizontal bezel piece. Not as easy as before but it still works

[SKHoese]

mgillanders, Can you expound on the ability to use the frunk switch after install.; That is a deal breaker for me. but if you found a way to make it work, please explain a little further.

2nd issue. Do you find the lack of a grill for the center air inlets (either side of the license plate area) 1. looks goofy because it doesn't now match the outer radiator mesh you installed, and/or 2. still leaves an area for rocks to get at the radiators?

Thank you. I agree with all that the exposed radiators are not a good idea. I have 3,000 easy miles and I have dings in the fins. Just trying to find the best solution.

[John]

Taking my key fob out of my jean mini-pocket is not a deal breaker for me. Most of the time I drive the car I do not even open the frunk.

[2020Colorado]

[QUOTE=SKHoese;n211187]mgillanders, Can you expound on the ability to use the frunk switch after install.; That is a deal breaker for me. but if you found a way to make it work, please explain a little further./QUOTE]

From his description I think he reaches in here and puts his fingers up behind the upper screen to push the button where the arrow is pointing. You might want to try it on your car and see how comfortable it is before you put the screens on the car.

[Richrat]

If you don’t have your car yet you should be aware that your remote will need to be in your hand or a pocket because the frunk button only works if the remote is within 2 feet of the frunk button.

So while the frunk button a cool novelty the remote has got to be right there to open it.

Just some food for thought for those that are unaware of the frunk buttons restrictions.