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Is the Air Dam necessary w/ Fog Lights removed?

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Old 08-23-2014, 01:36 PM
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Car: 91' Z28. 70' Dune Buggy
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Is the Air Dam necessary w/ Fog Lights removed?

I'm running a ls1 with the stock cooling system in my 91 z28. (dual fan radiator)

A while ago I removed my fog lights, and cut out the plastic directly behind them. So all the air that hits the z28 grille, goes straight to the radiator. My fans also are running majority of the time, since I am able to control when they are on or not.

With that said, is the air dam necessary?

I'll end up removing it and test driving, but would still like to hear of peoples' experiences. Both good and bad?

I'm playing around with intake setups and need the room down there, odd I know, but I will share when I am finished.

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Old 08-23-2014, 05:05 PM
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Car: 91 Black Formula KR
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Re: Is the Air Dam necessary w/ Fog Lights removed?

I have a 91 Formula... KR fiberglass nose... with a lot bigger opening than the fog light ones you have and I cut holes in the metal bumper bar too... I thought it was enough... I have an EBL, so I can tune the temp the fans turn on / off...

Before, there was a lot of heat coming from the trans tunnel, even with Aluminum Second Skin (Dynomat)... After installing the air dam, all that heat went away... Much more comfortable to drive... I even have Jet Hot coated Hooker 2055's, which keep under hood temps way down compared to stock, or uncoated headers....

Can you live with out it, probably...
But it's much nicer (for you, and everything that lives in the engine bay)... The dam just draws in so much more air and cools EVERYTHING off, not just the radiator...

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Rafael
Old 08-23-2014, 05:19 PM
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Re: Is the Air Dam necessary w/ Fog Lights removed?

Yes you need it.

More important than "scooping air in" as the fog light area might tend to do, it creates a low pressure area BEHIND the radiator that SUCKS THE AIR BACK OUT. Remember: air (or anything else) flows FROM an area of HIGH pressure, TO an area of LOW pressure. Therefore DECREASING the pressure (and flow) in the "destination" location is just as effective and NECESSARY in promoting flow, as INCREASING the pressure (or flow) in the "source" location.

"Can" you live without Internet service, cable TV, central heat & air, supermarkets? Of course. Does that automatically make it A Good Idea? Something You Really Want To Do? Not necessarily. Same deal here: even if you "can" get your car to survive without it, it's so simple cheeeeeeeep eeeeeeeezzzzzy light and effective, why would you do that to yourself?
Old 08-23-2014, 07:28 PM
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Car: 1991 camaro rs v6
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Re: Is the Air Dam necessary w/ Fog Lights removed?

i tried it and my car didnt like it got to hot inside the engine bay then i started vapor locking
Old 08-23-2014, 10:28 PM
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Re: Is the Air Dam necessary w/ Fog Lights removed?

Your car will get stupid hot on the highway without the airdam. It's the only way these cars stay cool at speeds.
Old 08-25-2014, 06:47 PM
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Agreed. Tried going without for a while, since it was an offroad vehicle and needed clearance. She didn't like that much..240deg highway with fan on, and would kept climbing. Even if its mangled, put it there.
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