Topic: Big mouth Air Dam
in Forum: C4 Body
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Waco, TX - USA
Joined: 1/22/2010
Posts: 11
Vette(s): 1965 Marina Blue Coupe -- 350/350, 4-sp
1966 Maroon Coupe -- 427/390, 4-sp
1978 NHRA B-Gas Coupe (Crew Member '70-'75)
1985 White Targa Top--Stock 350 TPI
1991 Polo Green Convertible -- ProCharged 383, 6-sp.
I'm considering the purchase of a Big Mouth Air Dam for my '91 convertible. However, for every positive mention I see about them I seem to see a negative one too. So, who has installed one and what were your results? My car is primarily driven 35 miles a day at around 70mph between home and work and for weekend touring. Overheating is not a problem at those speeds, but I'm still concerned about keeping water and debris from getting into the radiator.
Thanks!
pologreen91
Thanks!
pologreen91
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lanoka harbor, NJ - USA
Joined: 3/22/2009
Posts: 1363
Vette(s): 1990 L-98 white/ red/black leather interior targa top auto
1975 L48 blue/black leather interior t tops auto
hehehe..i leave my big mouth air darn at home
(just kidding). i really don't see any advantage of installing one. if you are not overheating than why install it? sometimes adding something to make it better only makes another problem show up (as yousaid leaves and debris). sometimes it's smart to not "fix" what ain't broke.
(just kidding). i really don't see any advantage of installing one. if you are not overheating than why install it? sometimes adding something to make it better only makes another problem show up (as yousaid leaves and debris). sometimes it's smart to not "fix" what ain't broke.the dynamic duo
c3vr life member #97
Catching more air isn't always better. For example if I take my roof off my 90 Coupe the rear of the car becomes one big parachute! Gas mileage, acceleration, and top end all go down. The C-4 was considered the most aerodynamically engineered car in history. They spent a lot of money researching and developing this ride. I really dont think the big mouth will improve anything, unless your just after the look! Then by all means go for it Dude!
Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims http://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 3/18/2009
Posts: 2246
Vette(s): 1985 Coupe-L98/Auto,Bright Red/Carmine.
1974 Coupe-L48/4speed, Medium Red Metallic/Black Deluxe.
The stock front dam gets hammered pretty dang good as it is...I can't keep the center section on my '85...heck, it rubs just driving into my driveway. If you live in an area that is totally flat, and has no bumper curbs in parking lots, then you'll be otay. If, however, you happen to live in the real world, my bet is you'll prolly tear it off, or damage it, within a few miles.
IMOH, I don't see the trade-offs as being justified...but that's just me.
IMOH, I don't see the trade-offs as being justified...but that's just me.
Joel Adams 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
I have to replace my front Air dam, and ordered trhe stock replacement last night from Ecklers. $50.00 bucks for the three piece kit plus $12.00 for the fastening hardware. $62.00 for everything isn't too bad at all. Can't wait to get it in and put it on. AND yes Dave i will read the intstructions first even if it endangers my "MAN CARD"....
Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims http://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg
I have a Polo Green 93 convertible with the stock air dam. the previous owner gave me a new air dam which he said would cure the overheating problem the car had. So I crawled underneath to survey the job, and found so much debris in between the AC and the radiator that I decided to clean out the area before dealing with the air dam. Result after a half hour of alternating a shop vac and a leaf blower was that I kept the air dam on the shelf for another day. No more overheating!! You can do a lot of the cleaning from the passenger side at the top of the radiator shroud where there's an access hole to peek between the Condenser and radiator.
Besides, it's scraped up down there, but almost nobody sees it. When I fix everything else, I'll revisit that project. That could be a long time!!
Rarely indicted, never convicted
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lanoka harbor, NJ - USA
Joined: 3/22/2009
Posts: 1363
Vette(s): 1990 L-98 white/ red/black leather interior targa top auto
1975 L48 blue/black leather interior t tops auto
that is usually the first thing to check if car starts overheating. a lot of people don't realize how much debris can get caught in there.
the dynamic duo
c3vr life member #97
I received my new stock air dam parts today and installed them this evening. Looks Awesone, really dresses up the front end nicely. Was a small PITA to install but not too bad once I got the tricks down.
Allan Brenneis Nashville Tn. 1990 Polo Green Coupe Saddle Interior Chrome ZR-1 Rims http://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14501_14600/14572/image2014329104347r.jpg
If it is all scuffed up then the replacement stock air dam is more than enough. However, that doesn't solve the problem of keeping the space debris free, without a regular maintenance interval. What I did was to install a debris screen over the opening. It keeps the debris our and lets all the air in.
http://cid-ab6c5840986b841b.photos.live.com/embedphoto.aspx/My%20Corvette/debris-screen.jpg
A couple of square feet of chicken wire mesh out of Home Depot, some black spray paint, and some mounting screws.
Rich
http://cid-ab6c5840986b841b.photos.live.com/embedphoto.aspx/My%20Corvette/debris-screen.jpg
A couple of square feet of chicken wire mesh out of Home Depot, some black spray paint, and some mounting screws.
Rich
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lanoka harbor, NJ - USA
Joined: 3/22/2009
Posts: 1363
Vette(s): 1990 L-98 white/ red/black leather interior targa top auto
1975 L48 blue/black leather interior t tops auto
great idea rich. that would solve a lot of the problem. surprised gm never thought of it.
the dynamic duo
c3vr life member #97
in Forum: C4 Body
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