Posting here because I'm interested in whether
there are any real-world benefits to adding
"ground effects" to an '02 F-body (aside
from making it look pretty, if you like that
look). Interested in handling at highway+
speed (presume that under 50MPH is minimal
benefit), negative performance issues (like
maybe added air drag, speed bump scraping,
loss of cooling airflow) between vendor
types and stock RS versions, etc.

 

OK, First off it depends on what gfx you are going with........but this is the general idea of what does what........The front, in theory, is there to reduce the amount of air that goes under the car, this also, unfortunately causes our cars some radiator grief in that the air doesn't get up there if the gfx is actually doing thier job. The sideskirts are there, once again to help keep air out from under the car. They also keep the air that is under there from spilling out into what might be a good flow of air over the side of the body, the rear piece, unfortunately doesn't do much, it is actually detremental to the flow of air in that it acts as a "parachute" of sorts. If you look under your rear bumper there is this huge area that grabs air that is moving under the car, if you make that bigger by a couple inches, it becomes worse. The way to remedy this situation is to have a back pan, or even better, a rea diffuser.
Most of these have no practical purpose below around 100 mph or so. Other than that they make the car more difficult to drive (it's a sports car of sorts though, so it prob should be) And they usually look pretty good.

There are so many different gfx for the F-body that I don't even know where to start, I'm assuming your refering to the LS1 camaro front since you said RS though. Keep in mind that these gfx do little to nothing in the front, they are good on the side, and as mentioned earlier rough in the back, but not as bad as the pontiac. You could get a new front piece, a front spoiler added on might help if you don't want to switch gfx, but make sure you know what you're doing before you build one. I believe it's Xenon, they have a better front piece, it bring the nose down a bit more and has some lower sideskirts.

In general, if looking for a gfx that would have practicle use, use the idea that I mentioned earlier in what does what.

 

Regarding the Cooling effect. I suppose GM Designed those dorky looking 2 piece front ground effects for the Sports Appearance package specifically so it wouldn't restrict airflow getting to the airdeflector just under the front chin. When I first got my car I had so many people ask me why my ground effects were broken in the middle.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_images/icons/tongue.gif" />

Anyhow, I replaced the front with the WingsWest piece. Even their kit has this little section in the center that vents a little airflow to the airdeflector. Included with the new front piece is a new larger AirDeflector but I chose not to install it because my car is lowered and the things is HUGE!. I've stood back and looked under the front of my car and can see that my stock airdeflector is still in the path enough to scoop up some air but probably not as efficient as it once was. I've noticed no difference in temp though.. I've autotapped my car on the highway and it's 205 with the stock 195 T-stat.

BTW, my car is lowered and I don't have have any issues with scrapping anything..

See pics at my homepage if interested. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />