OK to drive w/o air dam grille?
 

I took off my grille to paint it a shiney new gloss black, and realized it looks really mean w/o it on.

I was wondering if its ok to just always run it like this, or if Mazda put it on for a reason. Thanks!

(if it makes a dif, i have 1985 GS)

Geoff

Its purpose is probally merely cosmetic, or to stop a small bunny rabbit or a cat from getting up in there when you play smack em on the highway :D :ar:

it's a cosmetic trim piece, though it does help direct air (somewhat) up to the intake on the 13B models as the slats are actually angled to deflect the air up.

I ran my '83 with it removed and never had a problem

Awesome.
Thanks for the help guys.

However, i may re-install it after my DIY 'ram air intake'.

Now back to detailing my engine in red. Weee.

actually look at the angle of the blades. at speed it will help counter the wedged front ends tendency to lift. how much exactly is another story. and probably only above 100.

Mine fell off one day. I never missed it.

I removed mine when I gutted the ac. It was replaced diamond mesh cut to fit, primed and painted to match the blue accents. I did this to prevent rocks form puncturing my radiator. looks pretty good to.

peace

id like to see a picture of that

I second the motion.... :cool:

bwahahaha no grill? you dont need no steenking grill! take a look at my car....
http://community.webshots.com/photo/...39880798xthFfU
it takes 115 mph daily no prob on my way to work in austin, so dont worry about no grill ;)
need pics now taht i got sumitomos though...

:crackup: there's nothing there to create upforce either, lol.

im thinkin of paintin it primer black and makin it into a road warrior hehe

I've been running mine w/o the grille for a year now, just look out for large road kills! I plan on making an aluminum billet grille eventually. Gotta finish the mechanicals before going onto the cosmetic stuff though.

only if you put a tail on the back of the roof.

that roof spoiler 'makes' the car... adds a certain weird badass element on top of the blower, sidepipes, etc.