6Th Gen Camaro High Flow Impact Bar
If you're looking to shed weight from the front end of your 6th Gen Camaro while improving airflow and making room for performance upgrades, a high-flow impact bar is one of the most effective modifications available. Designed to replace the bulky factory crash bar, these lightweight alternatives help reduce unnecessary weight, increase airflow to heat exchangers and intercoolers, and provide additional clearance for larger cooling systems.
GOOD NEWS; For the sake of constant improvement, we decided to make several changes to Gen.2 version of our signature GMS High Flow Impact bar. To start, we decided to lower the height approximately. .5” to allow for a pinch more clearance with our Stage.I Oil Cooler, and now also provided a fixed welded bracket which improves alignment, and makes for a faster and stronger install / connection. We improved our laser cutting files which makes for better fitment on our welding jigs, which also saves a few bucks in welding labor, that we are happy to pass on to you. The biggest improvement for this next version of our crash bar, is the in the wind deflectors. Because we don’t sit around and wait for something to break, in order to fix or improve it… it should be no surprise that we decided to completely redesign the wind deflectors to provided a much more efficient air path from the massive ZL1 grill opening into either the main front HX, lower AUX coolers and brake ducts. This process alone required dozens of hours of 3D modeling, trial and error, test fitting and more test fitting in order to get it just right.
One of the most loved design aspects of the 6th generation Camaro ZL1 is the massive front grill opening. Not only does this fill a vital role in allowing as much air as possible to pass over the front HX and radiator, but it also adds an aggressive design statement that is either loved or envied. Having seen a few modified ProCharger cars that remove the crash bar all together, we not only fell instantly in love with the now “clear view” of the upgraded HX, but had that light bulb moment to create a product that would kill three birds, with one proverbial stone. After weeks of testing various designs on our mule car, we ended up with the final design you see now. An all rectangle steel frame with tubular hoops that provide not only a clear view of the ZL1’s massive heat exchanger for a clear aesthetic improvement, but also for an improvement in airflow, while still providing some protection in low speed impacts vs. having no impact bar at all. Adding to this innovative patent pending design is a pair of two piece custom CNC’d aluminum air deflectors that help prevent air from trapping at the bolt flanges. Rather, they channel to either the main or auxiliary coolers. Outfitted with a heavy duty front tow hook coupler and treated to a satin wrinkle black powder coated finish, this product was design to offer a turn-key solution to improve a poorly designed OEM part. This product ships with all of the hardware you need. Installation instructions can be downloaded below. Although this product was literally designed in the garage, this 3D modeled assembly is fabricated using precision laser cut parts for a professional fit.
TIP: In order to take advantage of the labor needed to install, consider one of our package deals that includes upgraded Heat Exchangers, AUX oil cooler, as well as a 2 gallon fender tank, 160 degree thermostat, and more. Track your car? then you should absolutely consider our Stage.III High Flow Impact Bar and Oil cooler package that places a massive 2-pass oil cooler directly behind the “flow tie” and upper grill portion. All of these modifications combined will have a tremendous impact on the cooling and performance of your Super Charged ZL1.
SYSTEM BENEFITS:
Greatly improved aesthetics providing a clear view of your OEM or upgraded front heat exchanger.
Specifically designed to support our Stage.I Oil Cooler directly behind the “flow tie” where it belongs.
Improved cooling by allowing more air to directly hit the front heat exchanger and radiator.
Specifically designed to weight exactly the same as the OEM to prevent a weight penalty.
3D designed, laser cut and professionally welded for a perfect bolt on fit with no modifications needed. Attaches to all OEM locations.
Includes a durable satin wrinkle Powder Coat for an easy to clean, long lasting finish.
Fitment: This version was designed and tested on the 2017 - 2024 6th Generation Camaro ZL1 and ZL1 1LE only.
What’s in the box:
High Flow Impact Bar + Tow Hook Coupler
Two Aluminum Air Deflectors
Complete Hardware Kit
What YOU will need to provide:
Patience and attention to detail for installation... or, someone like that, who you trust with your beloved, adorned, magnificent, earth shaking, alarm sounding ZL1.
Basic hand tools. Although this can be done with one person, in a garage with jack stands, having an extra set of hands available to handle the front bumper fascia is helpful.
Fitment: 2017-2024 Camaro ZL1 (direct fit with no modifications needed) Note; this unit will not fit with the PLM heat exchanger.
2017-2024 Camaro SS (direct fit with minor modifications needed to the backside of the bumper by trimming 2 plastic clips)
INSTALL GUIDE can be downloaded by clicking THIS link. Please read completely before starting the installation.
High Flow ZL1 Impact Frame
One of the most loved design aspects of the 6th generation Camaro ZL1 is the massive front grill opening. Not only does this fill a vital role in allowing as much air as possible to pass over the front HX and radiator, but it also adds an aggressive design statement that is either loved or envied. Having seen a few modified ProCharger cars that remove the crash bar all together, we not only fell instantly in love with the now “clear view” of the upgraded HX, but had that light bulb moment to create a product that would kill three birds, with one proverbial stone. After weeks of testing various designs on our mule car, we ended up with the final design you see now. An all rectangle steel frame with tubular hoops that provide not only a clear view of the ZL1’s massive heat exchanger for a clear aesthetic improvement, but also for an improvement in airflow, while still providing some protection in low speed impacts vs. having no impact bar at all.
$1,285.00 Original Price:$1,385.00
The GMS High Flow Impact Bar: The Signature Product That Changed ZL1 Cooling forever.
Every company has that one product.
The product that starts with a simple question:
“Why did GM design it this way?”
For Griffin Motorsports, that product was the GMS High Flow Impact Bar.
Because after spending time around modified Camaro ZL1s, one thing became obvious:
The factory impact bar was creating a massive airflow restriction directly in front of the most critical cooling components on the car.
And once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
The Problem Hidden Behind the Front Bumper
One of the most loved design elements of the 6th Gen Camaro ZL1 is the massive front grille opening.
GM clearly understood the LT4 needed airflow.
The problem?
Directly behind that massive grille opening sits a large structural obstruction:
The OEM impact bar
Mounting flanges
Airflow turbulence zones
Instead of allowing clean airflow into:
The heat exchanger
The radiator
The OEM crash structure disrupts and blocks airflow across a significant portion of the frontal cooling area. After staring at the issue for hours… Gabe realized there must be another way.
Why Airflow Matters More Than Most People Realize
Cooling performance is not just about:
Bigger heat exchangers
Larger radiators
More coolant capacity
Airflow is the foundation of the entire system.
Because every cooler on the front of the vehicle depends on:
Air entering efficiently
Air passing cleanly through the cooler
Heat being removed effectively
If airflow becomes turbulent or obstructed:
Cooling efficiency drops
Pressure increases
Heat rejection suffers
This becomes especially critical on:
Ported blower setups
Increased boost applications
Track-driven vehicles
Hot climate cars
The OEM Limitation
The OEM impact bar was designed primarily around:
Crash standards
Packaging
Manufacturing constraints
Not maximum airflow efficiency.
The result:
A large frontal obstruction directly in the cooling path
Air disruption before reaching the heat exchanger stack
Reduced usable airflow area
On modified LT4 cars generating substantially more heat than stock, this quickly becomes a bottleneck.
The Light Bulb Moment
After seeing ProCharger builds running without the OEM crash bar entirely, one thing became obvious:
The front of the car suddenly had:
A completely open view of the heat exchanger
Significantly improved airflow exposure
Cleaner airflow paths
That sparked the idea for what became the GMS High Flow Impact Bar.
The goal was simple:
Improve airflow
Improve cooling potential
Maintain OEM-like weight
Retain some low-speed protection
Improve aesthetics
The Solution: GMS High Flow Impact Bar
The GMS High Flow Impact Bar was designed specifically to solve the airflow restriction created by the OEM crash structure.
Unlike the factory design, the GMS unit uses:
A high-flow rectangular frame structure
Tubular support hoops
CNC-machined aluminum air deflectors
Optimized airflow pathways
Provisions for two flavors of remote oil coolers.
The result:
A dramatically cleaner airflow path into the cooling stack
Improved airflow exposure to the heat exchanger and radiator
Better airflow management to auxiliary coolers and brake ducts
Night and day front end aesthetics.
Designed Around Real Cooling Performance
This was never intended to be a cosmetic-only modification.
The entire product was engineered around:
Airflow behavior
Cooling efficiency
Pressure management
Real thermal limitations on the LT4 platform
Even the custom aluminum air deflectors were recently redesigned for improve airflow routing into:
The main heat exchanger
Auxiliary coolers
Brake duct areas
Why Airflow Direction Matters
One of the biggest mistakes in cooling design is assuming airflow naturally goes where you want it to.
It doesn’t.
Air follows:
Pressure differentials
Path resistance
Turbulence behavior
Poor airflow management creates:
Dead zones
Turbulence
Reduced cooling efficiency
The GMS deflector system helps guide airflow where it actually needs to go.
The Relationship Between Airflow and Heat Soak
Heat soak occurs when:
Heat enters the system faster than it can be removed
Once the cooling stack becomes overwhelmed:
Intake temperatures rise
Timing gets pulled
Power becomes inconsistent
Improving airflow through the front of the car directly helps:
Heat exchanger efficiency
Cooling system recovery
Thermal stability
Why This Matters So Much on the 6th. Gen. Camaro ZL1
The LT4 generates substantial heat under boost.
As modifications increase:
Boost pressure rises
Airflow rises
Thermal load rises exponentially
At higher power levels:
Cooling limitations become obvious very quickly
The OEM airflow path struggles to keep up
This is why serious LT4 builds eventually require:
Better airflow
Better heat rejection
Better cooling system efficiency
The Importance of Weight Balance
One of the most impressive design goals of the GMS Impact Bar was maintaining OEM-like weight.
The system was specifically engineered to:
Avoid unnecessary weight gain
Preserve chassis balance
Maintain rigidity and fitment
According to Griffin Motorsports, the system was intentionally designed to weigh the same or less than the OEM impact bar.
Not Just Cooling — Packaging Advantages Too
The GMS Impact Bar also creates opportunities for additional cooling upgrades.
It was specifically designed to support:
Larger external Oil cooler systems
Larger heat exchanger packages
Expanded cooling solutions behind the “flow tie” area
This allows:
Cleaner packaging
Better airflow exposure
More efficient use of frontal airflow area
Real-World Benefits of the GMS High Flow Impact Bar
Owners typically pursue this upgrade for:
Improved airflow to cooling components
Reduced heat soak
Better thermal recovery between pulls
Improved cooling consistency
Better packaging for oil coolers and upgraded HX systems
But one of the most noticeable benefits is often:
Repeatable performance
Because the car can maintain cooling efficiency more effectively under sustained load.
Aesthetic Improvements Are a Bonus
One unexpected benefit of the GMS design is the visual transformation.
Removing the bulky OEM obstruction creates:
A clear view of the front heat exchanger
A cleaner, more aggressive front appearance
A more purposeful motorsports-style look
The front cooling system finally becomes visible instead of hidden behind a massive obstruction.
Designed to Be a True Bolt-On Solution
The GMS High Flow Impact Bar was engineered around:
OEM mounting points
Precision laser-cut construction
Professional fitment
The system:
Requires no welding
Uses OEM mounting locations
Includes hardware and deflectors
Maintains straightforward installation
Why Buy from Griffin Motorsports
This product wasn’t created in a boardroom.
It came from:
Real overheating issues
Real airflow limitations
Real-world testing on modified LT platforms
That matters.
Because the difference between generic aftermarket parts and purpose-built solutions is understanding the actual problem being solved.
Everything about the GMS High Flow Impact Bar was developed around:
Cooling efficiency
Airflow management
Real LT4 thermal behavior
Who Should Consider the GMS High Flow Impact Bar?
If your Camaro ZL1 has:
Increased boost
Ported blower
Larger supercharger
Upgraded heat exchangers
Or see’s Track use
This upgrade should absolutely be on your radar.
The more heat your car generates, the more airflow management matters.
Final Thoughts
The OEM crash bar was never designed around maximum cooling performance.
The GMS High Flow Impact Bar was.
By improving:
Airflow exposure
Cooling efficiency
Heat exchanger effectiveness
Packaging capability
It addresses one of the biggest hidden airflow restrictions on the LT4 platform.
This is not just a styling modification.
It is a true airflow and cooling upgrade designed for serious performance applications.
Frequently Asked Questions About GMS High Flow Impact Bar
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It improves airflow to the front cooling stack by replacing the restrictive OEM impact bar design.
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It blocks and disrupts airflow directly in front of the heat exchanger and radiator.
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Yes, improved airflow exposure helps improve overall cooling system efficiency.
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No, but the benefits become more noticeable on modified and high-heat applications.
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It helps improve airflow and cooling recovery, which can reduce heat soak under load.
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Improved airflow to the heat exchanger can help improve intercooler efficiency and thermal recovery.
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No. It was specifically designed to maintain OEM-like weight.
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No. It is designed as a bolt-on solution using OEM mounting points.
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ItemThey help guide airflow more efficiently into the cooling stack and auxiliary coolers. description
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Boosted applications generate substantial heat that must be removed efficiently to maintain performance.
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Yes, it was designed to work with upgraded heat exchangers and oil cooler systems.
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Yes, it creates a much cleaner and more aggressive front-end appearance.
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Cooling consistency helps maintain stable timing and performance under repeated load.
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Because the product was designed around solving real LT platform airflow and cooling limitations—not simply changing appearance.