1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Does a Front Airdam really help?

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Old 04-13-03, 11:32 AM
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Does a Front Airdam really help?

I'm just curious about this as many top speed first gen cars really didn't have a front airdam.

What would help in making the car more stable at higher speeds?
Old 04-13-03, 11:56 AM
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Yes they definately aid in down force. A full widebody kit and the correct spoiler would also help. Many airdams are designed with cooling in mind too. In some cases the front airdam is constructed so that cool air flows into the intercooler and radiator.
Old 04-13-03, 01:38 PM
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Yeah, it makes a difference.the shapes and styles of
a front airdam. It depends on how close the front 'chin'
is from the ground. On the rear, with the shape of the
1st gen (and others) the rear spoiler or wing, to really
work has to be up to about the same height as the roof line. Some body kits are just for looks, while the real racing kits look rather gotti. IMO
Old 04-13-03, 01:58 PM
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There's not a whole lot of rear lift, aerodynamically speaking, but a slight ducktail spoiler would help at high speeds. The teardrop shape of the rear glass is actually quite efficient in allowing the air to close behind the car, keeping it close to the glass and metal with less drag than a flat hatch or notchback configuration.

i'd like to see a small panel integrated into the metal aft of the hatch that flips up at speed, a la Porsche or even VW Beetle Turbo spoiler. Nice and clean, with a gee-whiz factor but functional
Old 04-13-03, 03:09 PM
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I watched a show about air dams, they used nascars as examples, basically you want a big block up there and the bottom of it to be close to the ground so low pressure goes under the car and high pressure goes above, nascars use tape over the radiator vents in the front, if the car starts getting hot they'll put and take a piece of tape off, below is an example of a poor air dam design.
Old 04-13-03, 03:18 PM
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Mine serves it's intended purpose:

To make it too low for heavy chicks to ride with me.
Old 04-13-03, 03:45 PM
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hhaha this one racer i know is 19 and he had on his car "No Fat Chicks, Car Will Scrape". haha that just reminded me of that.
Old 04-13-03, 09:35 PM
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Old 04-14-03, 12:47 AM
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nice i had that on my first civic... also a warning aboot women taking off any tight clothes due to extreame forces caused by acceleration. and there is a pic of a bra near it.
Old 04-14-03, 09:41 AM
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That's great.

Cody, would you mind sharing where you got your air dam from? That looks real nice and, not that I'm an expert, but functional as well.
Old 04-14-03, 04:26 PM
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Its part of a Kaminari kit, that apparently wasn't available for sale in the US, but imported from somewhere. (I have heard Puerto Rico). I see cars with the same airdam on Ebay from time to time. Thats the only place I can tell you to look.
Old 04-14-03, 06:27 PM
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Originally posted by specRX7_22
hhaha this one racer i know is 19 and he had on his car "No Fat Chicks, Car Will Scrape". haha that just reminded me of that.
hahhaha my buddy had that on his 64 bug.. That was pretty funny
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