Quick Question re Front plastic air dam
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 341
Likes: 2
From: Elderslie, Scotland
Quick Question re Front plastic air dam
Do you need it?
On the 75 it is pretty much knackered. Does the car really need it? Does it serve a cant do without purpose.
I get that it may be deflecting air for possible cooling purpose but surely thats all.
Anyone modded it out?
On the 75 it is pretty much knackered. Does the car really need it? Does it serve a cant do without purpose.
I get that it may be deflecting air for possible cooling purpose but surely thats all.
Anyone modded it out?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,283
Likes: 4,374
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi yb,
I'm pretty sure even if the original spoiler only cost $.50, GM would not have installed it if it wasn't needed.
Doesn't it help determine how much air is diverted up through the lower valance.
Regards,
Alan
I'm pretty sure even if the original spoiler only cost $.50, GM would not have installed it if it wasn't needed.
Doesn't it help determine how much air is diverted up through the lower valance.
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,683
Likes: 3,137
From: Shamong, NJ
68-82 Corvettes are bottom breathers.Take a look at the grill area. Not much air can go through there. When closed, the headlights fill much of the area behind the grills. The center is blocked on 68-74's, anywhere a front plate is required and on all 75-82's, by the license plate mount.
Early 68's, had no spoiler, and the lower valance was solid. Around March 68, Chevrolet issued a service bulletin to dealers, directing them to cut holes in the lower valance of customer's cars. This was in response to complaints about overheating. Late in 68, the front spoiler was added, in an effort to increase air flow to the radiator.
You might get away without it, in a cool climate, but why chance it. The spoilers are less than $50.
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050G
Worth calling to see what they can do about shipping...I use these guys all the time because they do a really good job with shipping to Canada.
Worth calling to see what they can do about shipping...I use these guys all the time because they do a really good job with shipping to Canada.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
GM put everything on the car for a reason. if something is held on with 5 bolts, it's because they absolutely could not make it work with only 4
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
It is merely a piece of vinyl that is shaped as needed, with mounting holes. Lots of folks fab-up their own. As long as it is strong enough not to 'flap in the breeze', weak enough to bend when you drive over something (rather than cause a break in the fiberglass to which it is mounted), and looks decent, you should be good to go.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 4
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
I ran my 74 without one here in the South Island of New Zealand for a few months. No adverse effects. And we're a bit warmer than the UK. I got one, and briankeery is correct, they're ABS plastic and weigh next to nowt!
BTW, my grandmother was from Edinburgh. Och!
BTW, my grandmother was from Edinburgh. Och!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 62
From: Kona Hawaii
Air dam was missing from my 76.Didn't overheat without it.Always looked like something was missing under there so I purchased one from CC.It is just a plastic part was not expensive but because of the length shipping was a killer to Hawaii! Vette looks better with it installed.Don't forget to get the screws when you order it.Saves time looking for the correct fasteners.