Front Spoiler vs Airdam
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Re: Front Spoiler vs Airdam (MikeT)
Here's a better question. Which is cheaper to replace? AIRDAM....... Spoilers look great, but are pricey to replace.
To answer the questions, I would guess it is relative to the amount of air that can flow through the radiator. You can only push so much air through a tight space at highway speed...
To answer the questions, I would guess it is relative to the amount of air that can flow through the radiator. You can only push so much air through a tight space at highway speed...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 278
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Re: Front Spoiler vs Airdam (Budman78)
Since our cars are mostly chin breathers the air dam helps to channel some of the air going under the car up into the radiator. The front spoiler is there to disrupt air from going under the car at high speeds to keep the front end from lifting. If you travel at really high speeds don't get rid of the spoiler (you don't want to start flying) if you want good flow thru the radiator keep the air dam. If you want to look fast standing still keep the spoiler.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
Re: Front Spoiler vs Airdam (KenSny)
I love my spoiler and I do believe the spoiler along with the dual electric fans keeps the rad cool (hardly ever past 200 even on really hot days):yesnod: . However I've managed to scrape up the front tip and I've torn out the spoiler from either side of the wheel well from different highway road debris encounters :mad But I can't deny I love the way it looks.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 3
From: Surrey
Re: Front Spoiler vs Airdam (MikeT)
Prior to buying my '81 I did some reading up on differences between the years. The airdam was added to increase airflow around the radiator to aid in cooling. It seems to work as my '81 has only gone past 200 once (it rarely ever reaches 200, but who can trust the temp gauge?). There is only a certain amount of air that can go through the radiator, but lots of fresh air flowing around the engine bay also helps cool things down (is this why the '81 hood has no heat insulation on the underside?).
Paul
Paul
