Inexpensive Air Dam

[Black Horse]

While everyone has been bitching and whining I've been in the garage experimenting around with different ways of making a front air dam on the race car. Trying to gain a little frontal downforce and increase air flow through the radiator. The one I made several years ago just didn't hold up. With about $25 in materials, here is what I came up with. I'll give it a shakedown in a couple of weeks. If it holds up I think I can morph this design into a front splitter concept.

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-bqv2dRM/0/L/i-bqv2dRM-L.jpg
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-tZ4TZbv/0/L/i-tZ4TZbv-L.jpg

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

Garage door weather strip?

[89notch]

flower bed edging?

[Black Horse]

flower bed edging?

Ding! We have a winner!

[89notch]

Actually doesn't look bad. Whatever works

[Mista Bone]

Took you long enough

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/bonespec/Honda/RR/spoiler1.jpg

http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m307/bonespec/Honda/RR/spoiler2.jpg

you can see the results of my first string alignment :(

[Black Horse]

Yeah...looks familiar except I think mine will hold up to the 150mph straightaway speeds, good thing the Honda doesn't see it as I think that dam will pull under the bumper.

[Mista Bone]

Yeah...looks familiar except I think mine will hold up to the 150mph straightaway speeds, good thing the Honda doesn't see it as I think that dam will pull under the bumper.

It held up fine at 145-150 mph in Canada on the QEW :) Flexible able enough to survive China Beach outings as well. I even hit a dog at 70 mph on 129 with it. While the bumper cover exploded, the lawn edging held it all together.

But why not make a true spliter setup?

[Black Horse]

It held up fine at 145-150 mph in Canada on the QEW

But why not make a true spliter setup?


Down a big hill with a 60 mph wind at your back? :lol:

The problem with a splitter is it seals off some of the air intake to the radiator, these Mustangs are notorious bottom feeders. I have some ideas rattling around, but I need to test this dam first.

[Jake]

can I have some more info on the "bottom feeding" please? I was planning on a splitter to try and send some more air through the radiator.

looks good by the way.

[Mista Bone]

Down a big hill with a 60 mph wind at your back? :lol:

Chemical assisted :)

Not a smart thing either as a another buddy exploded his motor the year before, long trip without your car home.

When you hoping to be at MO to race? I've been asked to crew again on Sundays.

[Black Horse]

Jake:
The Mustangs (up until 2005) are notorious for getting the majority of the air flow to the radiator from underneath the bumper cover. That is why many have the little rubber strip to better divert air to the radiator. Most splitter designs block the lower opening, the air flow then diverts to either side of the car and the boundary flow under the car is significantly reduced causing increased downforce on the front end at speeds. In cases like the 2000 Cobra R, the front facia and splitter design maximized the balance between downforce and air to the radiator.
With an improper splitter design, you can gain a bunch of downforce, but the reduction in air flow to cool the car, especially at low speeds, is so obstructed you can be prone to overheat. Larger radiators help for a short while, better air ducting from grill to radiator also can help.

[Jake]

thank you! that is very helpful!