92RS_Ttop

iTrader: (3)

I was at the junkyard a few weeks ago looking for some parts for my Camaro when I found some interesting pieces on one of the Camaros in the yard. It had what looks like a pair of ducts mounted behind the grill opening, but they don't really go anywhere. They look like they would have come on the car as OEM pieces, given the material used and the way they were mounted. But being as they don't really go anywhere, I'm not even sure why they would be there. I don't remember what the engine was, but the car was not highly optioned from what I could tell of the parts that were left on it. Definitely wasn't an IROC or Z28.

I've attached pics to this post. I don't ever remember seeing them on any other thirdgen before. Any ideas on what these would have been for would be appreciated. I'm thinking of possibly using them for cooling ducts for the front brakes.

92RS_Ttop

iTrader: (3)

One last pic of the pieces removed from the car and sitting on my basement floor. Pic is of the underside of the pieces. I'll have to grab another pic tonight that shows the top side with the mounting tabs.

gt4373

I Think Those Started Being Used On Certain Models Starting In 1987-?.
Part (79) In Diagram.

92RS_Ttop

iTrader: (3)

Yeah, that looks right. Can you post up the list of the part names that the numbers refer to? I may have to go back and look for some of the other duct pieces as it looks like part of a whole setup to funnel air into the radiator. Thanks for the pic.

no new tires

Those are just the -fog light ducts-

two-if-by-sea

iTrader: (22)

Not for fog lights. My '89 RS has them.

92RS_Ttop

iTrader: (3)

Thanks for adding the list (and the diagram) gt4373. If I'm reading that list right, it looks like they only came on the 87 & 88 years and only in the V8 cars.

two-if-by-sea

iTrader: (22)

No.
My 89 TBI has them
My 87 LG4 did not have them

two-if-by-sea

iTrader: (22)

I think it has more to do with the air intake system, #65-68 above.

My 87 LG4 Sport Coupe had nose #57 above, and did not have any of the parts for 65-68.
My 89 RS has the normal IROC-type nose, and has all of those parts.

I used to think it had something to do with the TPI air cleaner lid, but my car has the block-off plate #83 above.

I think it has more to do with the factory baffles that came on the ground-effects cars. Every ground-effects car (87+) that I have seen in the junkyards have these parts. That includes 87 Z28 w/fogs, 88 Sport Coupe, and countless 89+ RS cars.

Both of my cars were one-owner, low mile cars, and both were VERY stock.

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

My 85 IROC has them.

JamesC

mjdavis68

iTrader: (1)

TPI ram air induction set up

two-if-by-sea

iTrader: (22)

That was also included in TBI cars with block-off plate #83 above?

redneckjoe

i had a set on my 87 iroc. theres a few other plastics that go with it. thats a good diagram above. thats probably the reason people remove the fog lights,...to let more air get to the radiator?

JamesC

iTrader: (5)

Had it on my LG4.

JamesC

skinny z

Am I missing something here? The parts list describes them as "duct-rad air" and it works as a system with part no. 68 (and others).
Doesn't seem a mystery or rare from here.
I will say that of all the 3rd gens I've owned (86 IROC-Z, 87 RS, 87 Coupe, 86 TA, 84 Z28) none of them had those components. Perhaps it's a US based item.

92RS_Ttop

iTrader: (3)

That's the other idea I had for them, when I eventually swap from carb to TPI.

92RS_Ttop

iTrader: (3)

I was reading that diagram the same way. I've never seen them before on a thirdgen, so I was asking if they were rare, not saying they were.

skinny z

I see that. (It's all the speculation that followed that got my attention).
That said, It would be an interesting start to a cold air intake system as has been suggested. If the TPI filters weren't so small I'd have completed my CAI using the TPI housing adapted to an empty filter case around the carb.
It would seem to me that were cooling problems with the 3rd gens. Particularly when the IROC/Z28 front fascias were used. That's why there's an air dam on those models. This arrangement of ducting and baffles looks like an attempt to keep operating temps in check, (They sure didn't do it for their own amusement!)

no new tires

OP, you shouldn't have junk sitting around. Throw that stuff in the trash.

(come to think of it, I still have mine laying around...may need to clean up the "3rdge pile."

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

Yes, let's all listen to this guy and do away with the parts that GM paid an R&D team to develop a fix for an obvious cooling issue that most of these V8 cars had.
I personally went out of my way to get the complete setup to put on my car, even though I already had the original '86 style baffles and air control pieces. But that's just me, I'm dumb like that.

92RS_Ttop

iTrader: (3)

If I followed that advice, I'd be able to actually walk in a straight line in my basement, and put my mower in the shed

no new tires

MY dinging room is a haven for 3rdgen parts to take up refuge. lol

-And to that other guy, GM is dumb and did/made dumb things...Those baffles are useless. If you want air flow just open the grill face like me and they2/10 smart pp on this site that actual know cars (not implying that YOU dont, just saying)

-The baffles take up space
taking up space blocks air any way you slice it.
Much like the screen on a MAF, if you want to flow more air threw something, then remove ALL obstructions in the air's path.

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

If you had just the two ducts, I might agree it is more of an obstruction. If it were a sport coupe with the holes in the top of the bumper cover, it would definitely be. The pieces of this system work as a whole to create a high pressure area in front of the radiator and a low one behind it, forcing more air through the radiator. Ask anyone who removed their air dam how well their car cools.
I think we all have parts laying around the house. My man cave, spare room and garage are quite cluttered with parts. ( wife particularly loved the ones I kept in our bedroom until recently)Some I can't even use, but just can't bring myself to get rid of.

no new tires

We should start a "post pics of your 3rdgen parts pile(s)".

rusty vango

they are the factory ducts for the optional fog lights. personally I would kill for a set

Joe Tag

iTrader: (4)

While everyone here frowns upon buying from eBay, I got a complete set of front end plastic(air dam filler on the core and all) for $45 shipped. Keep an eye out and you can get deals on this stuff.