All I can't really figure out why this is on here, it doesnt really protect anything. Is it a big deal if I take this off? I want to lower my car with the Eibach Sportlines, and all this will do is hit every parking curb or rub when I enter parking lots.

 

I believe you have to keep it. Not sure why, but I remember hearing of car overheating without it.

 

A part of the air damn. You can't remove it or you'll car will over heat

 

It's true. The car will overheat. It directs air up to the radiator.

 

Damn =/ Thanks everyone!

 

Well you could remove it but you would have to fabricate a new way to get air directed into your engine bay.

 

and... if you removed it... what else would you scrape when you..... well.... drive anywhere?

 

well now that i know it actually serves a purpose, im going to leave it on

 

i always scrape that damn thing..i scrape the exhaust sometimes too on the harsher dips and stuff..

reference pic

 

i took my orig dam off of my 89 and put a 82-84 dam on my car because its deeper than my FORMULA dam. works so well i have found dead things between the condinser and the rad support lip.

i seen an air dam on another car when i first got my 83 and thought it looked pretty kool, found out that was a needed item. they can be found on ebay and if you decide on the 82-84 version i'll show ya what i did to mount neat and clean it being the mounts are a bit differnt.

 

Very important part, I didn't have mine on when i bought it. Was over heating and changing and flushing rad. Then started reading post and got a airdam, no more over heating! I think it looks good on. You have a really sweet looking car, very clean!

 

I have no air dam, my car does not overheat?

I remember on my Bronco forum everyone joked about Chevys needing these...

 

^ Don't follow this guys advice. You NEED the air dam. It throws air from your moving car up through the rad to cool the coolant at speed. Without it, your heavy-working engine will gradually rise in temperature because there is no air cooling the coolant, and you'll overheat.

 

leave it on

 

We dont have giant open front breathing radiators like Broncos do. Our cars are, literally, bottom feeders. They suck cool air in from the bottom, like pretty much any C4+ Corvette.

 

Ya I don't really have a problem with the way it looks, I just scrape it some times coming into parking lots... even when I come at it sideways (that's what she said) Anyways, enough of the jokes.

I get it, creates a vacuum for air, SMART. lol.

And thank you, the car was garaged for about 16 years, really nice condition still.

And also, Thank You everyone else! It's staying on.

 

Wish i had read this months ago...and with my first bird too lo i removed it for better looks. Didnt know it served purpose but i dont overheat soo yea, Wouldnt mind running cooler either though. Oh well :-)

 

NO! Air Damn

 

It wasn't advice, it was a question. Hence the question mark.

Are there better air dams available than the stock piece?

 

If you don't drive the car it stands to reason it will not overheat....

 

I drive my Firebird daily, to work and etc...

 

Why not just trim it?

I don't think there's anything stating it has to be a certain height/length, however I bet it's relationship to the ground is the deciding factor on how effective it is.

 

Hey I have the sportlines on my car & it will be fine. YES, it does scrape, but you get used to it & YES like many have said, you need it.

I have the same issue with my vette, I lowered it & my air damn scrapes everywhere.....Hey at least it's the damn air damn & not the actual bottom of the front bumper...LOL

 

I've found, in my own experience, that you can get away with taking the lowest, wrap-around part, off, and leave the rest. And it does tend to get pretty hot here sometimes (hit about 100* out last summer, for instance).

But, then, you have a different style than I do. You can take the outer lower corner pieces off and then shave the middle if you want...

 

I have never had it on and the car never overheated. Mine is an 82 TA, and I do have the grilles on it, so it is possible that is why I never had any issues. I plan on putting one on after I have it painted .