If you've ever pulled onto the highway behind a gravel truck in a C8, you already know why this post exists. That low, wide front end that makes the C8 look incredible is also sitting right at rock-chip height, and once debris finds its way past the grille, it's not just cosmetic. A cracked radiator fin or a torn intake screen turns into a real repair bill fast.
We've been building and testing grill guards on our own shop cars for years, across every C8 trim on the road: Stingray, Z06, E-Ray, ZR1 ZR1X, Grand Sport and Grand Sport X. We also carry both Paragon and Scrape Armor guards in our shop, so we get the question a lot: what's actually out there, what does each option cost, and why does the price move around so much between trims and between brands? Here's the full breakdown so you can pick what's right for your car.
Bolt-In vs. Zip-Tie: The Line That Matters First
Before we get into specific products, one thing needs to be said plainly. Every guard we're covering in this post, ours and Scrape Armor's, mounts using OEM bolt points. Neither brand is out here zip-tying guards to your radiator support.
That's worth calling out because zip-tie mounting is still common in this space, especially from generic sellers. It looks aftermarket, it vibrates loose over time, and it's not something you want holding a piece of metal in place a foot off the ground at speed. If you're shopping grill guards anywhere, "bolt-in" should be a non-negotiable, not a premium feature. Paragon and Scrape Armor both clear that bar, so from here, the differences come down to fitment, coverage, and price.
Quick Fitment Picker
Tap your trim below for a fast answer before you get into the full breakdown further down the page.
SR Corvette Stingray
Two bolt-in options: an Intake Inlet Guard starting at $199.99, or a full Grill/Radiator Guard at $299.95. Full breakdown in the Narrow-Body section below.
From $199.99 Shop Stingray Guards →Z6 Z06, E-Ray, ZR1 & ZR1X
One kit, $549.99, covers all four wide-body trims. Full breakdown in the Wide-Body section below.
$549.99 Shop This Kit →GS Grand Sport & Grand Sport X
A lighter kit at $519.99, priced for what it actually contains. Full breakdown in the Wide-Body section below.
$519.99 Shop This Kit →Narrow-Body Guards: C8 Stingray
The Stingray runs the standard-width C8 body, and there are three bolt-in options worth knowing about.
| Product | Price | What's in the box | Install |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Paragon Front Radiator Guards – Stingray |
$299.95 | Driver and passenger radiator guards + stick-on / bolt-in brackets | Bolt-in, no bumper removal |
|
Paragon Side Intake Inlet Guards – Stingray only |
$199.99 reg. $229.99 |
Driver and passenger guards + stick-on / bolt-in brackets | Bolt-in, OEM points, ~1 hr |
|
Scrape Armor Front Radiator Guards – Stingray |
$399.95 | Driver and passenger guards + stick-on / bolt-in brackets | Bolt-in, no bumper removal |
If you just want the intakes covered, the Intake Inlet Guard is the lighter, lower-cost entry point. If you want full front-end coverage, the Grill/Radiator Guard is the complete setup. Either way, you're looking at $100 to $200 less than the Scrape Armor equivalent, with the same bolt-in mounting standard and the same CNC aluminum construction, no compromise to get there.
Not sure about tackling the install yourself? We've got full walkthroughs for both on our YouTube channel, start to finish, so you know exactly what you're getting into before the parts show up.
Paragon Performance · YouTube Stingray Front Radiator Guard Install Watch Now → Paragon Performance · YouTube Stingray Side Intake Inlet Guard Install Watch Now →Wide-Body Guards: Z06, E-Ray, ZR1, ZR1X, Grand Sport, Grand Sport X
Here's where it gets interesting, and where we want to be straight with you about how pricing actually works.
| Product | Price | What's in the box | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Paragon Front Radiator Guards – Z06, E-Ray, ZR1 & ZR1X |
$549.99 | Driver, passenger, and center radiator guards + stick-on / bolt-in brackets | Z06, E-Ray, ZR1, ZR1X |
|
Paragon Front Radiator Guards – Grand Sport / X |
$519.99 | Driver and passenger guards + stick-on / bolt-in brackets (no center piece like the other widebody kit) | Grand Sport, Grand Sport X |
|
Scrape Armor Front Radiator Guards – Z06/E-Ray/ZR1/ZR1X |
From $699.95 | Driver, passenger, and center radiator guards + stick-on / bolt-in brackets | Z06, E-Ray, ZR1, ZR1X |
|
Scrape Armor Front Radiator Guards – Grand Sport / X |
From $699.95 | Driver and passenger guards + stick-on / bolt-in brackets (no center piece like the other widebody kit) | Grand Sport, Grand Sport X |
One thing worth pointing out: Scrape Armor prices both of their wide-body front kits the same, $699.95, whether it's going on a Z06, E-Ray, or a Grand Sport/GSX, even though the Grand Sport/GSX platform doesn't require the same guard hardware as a Z06, E-Ray, ZR1, or ZR1X.
Our approach is to price each kit based on what's actually included. The Grand Sport/GSX kit runs $519.99, $30 less than our Z06/E-Ray/ZR1/ZR1X kit, since it's a lighter kit with fewer pieces. It's a simple way to think about it: the price should reflect what's in the box.
If price is the deciding factor for you, the Paragon kit runs $150 to $180 less on the Z06/E-Ray/ZR1/ZR1X kit, and $180 less on the Grand Sport/GSX kit, while still meeting the same bolt-in, CNC aluminum, made-in-USA standard. It also covers all four wide-body trims from a single kit, so ZR1 and ZR1X owners have a confirmed fitment without guessing.
If you're chasing full wide-body coverage, Scrape Armor also sells a separate Side Radiator Guard for Z06/E-Ray ($649.95 on its own, or $1,349.90 bundled with their front guard) for the side intakes those wide-body cars have in addition to the front grille.
Quick Reference: Every Guard by Trim
| Trim | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Stingray | Paragon Front Radiator Guards | $299.95 |
| Stingray | Paragon Side Intake Inlet Guards | $199.99 |
| Z06 / E-Ray / ZR1 & ZR1X | Paragon Front Radiator Guards | $549.99 |
| Grand Sport / GSX | Paragon Grill/Radiator Guards | $519.99 |
Why Bolt-In, CNC Aluminum Wins Long-Term
Every guard we build starts as CNC laser-cut aluminum, not molded plastic, so it won't crack the way plastic guards do after a season of Iowa winters or a hard hit at speed. They're designed off OEM CAD data for a factory-tight fit, track-tested past 180 mph without disturbing airflow to the radiator, built here in-house, and backed by a lifetime warranty for the original purchaser. This isn't a guess. It's the same standard we hold every part to before it goes on one of our own shop cars.
Find the Right Guard for Your C8
Shop by trim below, or stop by the shop with an appointment and we'll get it installed for you, same-day in most cases. Pre-delivery pickup? Both Paragon and Scrape Armor offer installation at the National Corvette Museum, so that option's on the table no matter which you're weighing.
Find the right guard for your trim above, or talk to our team if you're not sure which one you need.
