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

NEW FB AIR DAM! Going into production soon!

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Old Jul 14, 2010 | 02:32 PM
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NEW FB AIR DAM! Going into production soon!

Hey guys! I just got a new shop. So Im making a new line of fiberglass parts just for the FB RX-7.

I'm just now finishing up the casts for: A original FB air dam, A fiberglass dash and center consel. Many more to come!

Check out the unfinished pics and tell me what you think.
Attached Thumbnails NEW FB AIR DAM! Going into production soon!-s5031226.jpg   NEW FB AIR DAM! Going into production soon!-s5031223.jpg   NEW FB AIR DAM! Going into production soon!-s50312281.jpg   NEW FB AIR DAM! Going into production soon!-s5031221.jpg  
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 02:58 PM
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how much would this air damn cost?
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 03:12 PM
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Honestly?


I think its damn ugly.

Was there any research and development put into this (wind tunnel, etc) or is it just for "the look"?

If there is no performance benefit, then it is the definition of rice.
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 03:35 PM
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I admire the work, but I don't think it suits the car.
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 03:41 PM
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Pricing will be vary competitive..
The first couple will be sold on Ebay.com as a auction.

The air dam is going to cost a little bit more then others, because it also replaces the header panel and part of the fenders.

Fiberglass fenders to match the air dam will come soon.
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 03:50 PM
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a dash would be cool, u couldnt pay me to put that bumper on either of my FB's.

ive never seen a kit so ugly before that if i ever saw it on a car id take a bat to it.

sorry for bashing but when i look at that thing it really makes me sick to my stomach.
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 03:55 PM
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Two of The ugly holes are there to fit FD blinker assemblys. The larger holes is to hook up ducting for brake cooling. The smaller ones next to them are a good place to mount auxuliry lighting.

There has been no wind tunnel testing.
The air damn works. With the splitter installed It droped coolant temps almost 15 degrees on a 100 degree day.

The vents on the side of the air dam are worthless. The front lip does add a noticable amount of downforce. I noticed a decrease in understeer, And the steering wheel feels very "tight" above 50MPH.


Originally Posted by RX7 allnight
a dash would be cool, u couldnt pay me to put that bumper on either of my FB's.

ive never seen a kit so ugly before that if i ever saw it on a car id take a bat to it.

sorry for bashing but when i look at that thing it really makes me sick to my stomach.
Thank you for your criticism! All comments are welcome!

Last edited by mar3; Sep 8, 2010 at 01:31 PM. Reason: Merged back-to-back posts...
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 04:35 PM
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The only reason to run that many holes in the front end would be if you had two oil coolers, one on each side, instead of in front of the radiator. The small holes should be for the brake ducts. You should make a seperate fiberglass piece that can attach to the bottom of the front end. I hardly ever see it on aftermarket noses. It would help reduce drag by adding the partial underbody tray to the nose. Not to bash on anybody, but I hate looking through huge front airdams and seeing the ground on the other side. It's sort of cheesy IMO.
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 04:36 PM
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WOW....the vitriol....where does that come from?

I'd like to see a finished product....paint, the FD blinkers installed.

I'd be willing to bet 2/3's of the front air dams/side skirts/spoilers have had zero wind tunnel testing before they were produced.

I'd also like to see some independent testing before I beleive 15 degree drop in temps....compared to what? Stock? Don't **** on my shoes and tell me it's raining.
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 05:11 PM
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Originally Posted by patmac6075
WOW....the vitriol....where does that come from?

I'd like to see a finished product....paint, the FD blinkers installed.

I'd be willing to bet 2/3's of the front air dams/side skirts/spoilers have had zero wind tunnel testing before they were produced.

I'd also like to see some independent testing before I beleive 15 degree drop in temps....compared to what? Stock? Don't **** on my shoes and tell me it's raining.
My temp gauge was sitting around 200 degrees on a 100+ degree day. after installing the air dam and the splitter temps dropped to 185 give or take a few degrees. (when moving)



Originally Posted by GSLSE-YA
The only reason to run that many holes in the front end would be if you had two oil coolers, one on each side, instead of in front of the radiator. The small holes should be for the brake ducts. You should make a seperate fiberglass piece that can attach to the bottom of the front end. I hardly ever see it on aftermarket noses. It would help reduce drag by adding the partial underbody tray to the nose. Not to bash on anybody, but I hate looking through huge front airdams and seeing the ground on the other side. It's sort of cheesy IMO.
If you look at the picture there is a fiberglass spiltter/defuser laying on the ground below it.. I had it removed to do work on the air dam. I cant stant that empty look either. I also have a fiberglass peice that boxes in the center section of the air dam to the radiator.

The pictures are vary rough and unfinnished.

Last edited by mar3; Sep 8, 2010 at 01:34 PM. Reason: Merged back-to-back posts...
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 05:24 PM
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I cant speak for the rest, but Mariah stuff was produced with windtunel and racing experience. In addition, they have a built-in partial undertray on their mode 1.

About 75% of the stuff out there has no testing or racing development which makes it rice.
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 05:31 PM
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I have no problem with my work fitting into 75% catagory. Nor can I even pretend to compete with a big dog like mariahmotorsports. Thats like comparing prime rib to hamberger.

Last edited by mar3; Sep 8, 2010 at 01:35 PM. Reason: Killd quote since reply was back-to-back to post in question...
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 06:16 PM
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Thank you so much! You just made me appreciate the stock fb lines much more.
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 06:24 PM
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There is no part of an FB that is round. Why a round ricey air dam.......

Recreate the "Cassette Tape" air dam and I will buy one in a second!
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 06:27 PM
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Originally Posted by jfachner72
There is no part of an FB that is round. Why a round ricey air dam.......

Recreate the "Cassette Tape" air dam and I will buy one in a second!
Got a pic of the "cassette tape" air dam? I'm not sure I've seen one.
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 06:28 PM
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Is there anyone that would like to post a pic of there favorite air dam.

Originally Posted by jfachner72
There is no part of an FB that is round. Why a round ricey air dam.......

Recreate the "Cassette Tape" air dam and I will buy one in a second!
There is no part of a stock FB that is round. Your right, But Im getting rid of that box look all together The front end go's with the rest of my car.

If this is rice.. Then almost all FD kits are rice?

Thanks for the comments guys! keep them coming!

This is the "Cassette Tape" body kit.
Attached Thumbnails NEW FB AIR DAM! Going into production soon!-ext_racing_mark2-gtu_3_small.jpg  

Last edited by mar3; Sep 8, 2010 at 01:36 PM. Reason: Merged back-to-back posts...
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 07:02 PM
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Last edited by mar3; Sep 8, 2010 at 01:37 PM. Reason: Don't need that many big pics, thanx...killd 3 and 4...
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 07:08 PM
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You gotta keep it 80's... We don't like none of that round "bubbly" ****. We want hard defined lines and geometrical shapes. Gotta complement the FB's lines
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 07:19 PM
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Forget about the fender flares........

The shape and dimensions of the front end are fine.......

An airdam should be under bumper only.
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 07:57 PM
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I'll get boo'd here but I do kinda like the ricer front, but if I could only buy one of the two I'd go with the cassete deck, thats my opinion for whatever it's worth lol
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 08:32 PM
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After (83+) the cassette (80-83) this style was favored by the racers. Yes, most 1st gen owners think the FD kits are rice. Of course most of us would also like to be FD owners.







This one is popular. The buyers are already in line...
https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-general-discussion-207/kamei-front-air-dam-885787/




(from 80's oldschool)
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 08:32 PM
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I have to agree with the rest of the guys. Im not a fan at all. Not hating just isnt my style. If you did make a "80's " style airdam that went below the bumper with fog lights I'd be sending you funds right about now. I do give you credit for going against the grain though.
Attached Thumbnails NEW FB AIR DAM! Going into production soon!-222.jpg  

Last edited by Jibaro 12A; Jul 14, 2010 at 08:35 PM. Reason: adding pic
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 09:35 PM
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Honestly I think your front bumper might look cool on a nicely built show car.
Old Jul 14, 2010 | 10:41 PM
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I am down for stock fiberglass fenders and fiberglass dash!

Not so much on the FD front though.
Old Jul 15, 2010 | 12:43 AM
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Yup, doesnt match the lines of the car. Its not an FD, and it kinda ruins the classic lines IMO. HOWEVER, the fitment and quality looks like it could definitely be there with a little more work. Make a couple air dams similar to the ones people like and I bet people would buy them, including me possibly because I have no bumper cover at all right now. Im saving up for the Mariah front bumper, lol.

For those of you posting all those pictures of classic race kits, you can still buy them through Mariah last I checked:

http://www.mariahmotorsports.com/ext...ngbodypkgs.htm

~T.J.



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