While my 86 IROC-Z has a dam on the underside to help direct air through the rad, I don't recall seeing one on my 86 Coupe.
I've since reassembled the Coupe and while I have no issues with overheating (so far anyway) I'm wondering whether an air dam was original equipment. There is only a small extension of the bottom filler panel that resembles any sort of dam but no rubber/plastic piece as there is on the IROC.
Anyone?

 

Air dams were standard on ALL 3rd Gen cars....All model and years had them.

 

Are you talking about the piece that sticks straight down on all the cars, or the piece that is just behind the front spoiler on cars that had ground fx? I would assume the sport coupes didn't have those because they had the holes in the bumper to let air through.

 

Check the following PDF, especially #65 and #79. More info PDF's in the following link:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...-plastics.html

JamesC

 

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm missing a part or two.

 

Looking at the pics and referring to the PDF (thanks for that) I would think that #65 is the plastic dam that is on the GFX equipped cars. #79 appears to be an extension of the lower baffle/fascia that makes up the lower portion of the coupes.
That said, looking at the last two photos, I think I'm missing the extension.

 

my sports coupe had a broke center air deflector so i cut off many years ago beings i was just drag racing it..and i just bolted on the bigger airdam for a z28 on it now that i am going to street drive it again...screwed right on but man does it hang low.

 

I don't think the air dam was on all cars. Some cars (like the S/C's I've seen), incorporated the same principle as the air dam with the way that the lower pieces of the ground effects were shaped and how they wrapped up under the entire front of the car. I've had, and seen several other S/C's that didn't have any air dam at all, but rather the bottom plastics were shaped differently than the normal air dam cars so that the same efect was produced, but with the "ground effects" if you will rather than actually having a seperate air dam attached.

In the pics above (of the S/C car, the 2nd and 3rd pic), you see that the lower plastic wraps completely under the car, and scoops downwards (and right under the radiator area), which creates the same effect - although it doesn't "stick down" as far as the bolted on air dam, it does the same thing - my son had a 1985 S/C car, and it was identical to the above pics, with no air dam ... but it also didn't need one and had no issues with overheating. The "Air Dam" cars do not have this scooping downwards plastic under the car - there's nothing underneath, and thus 'need' the actual bolted on air dam.

 

i wonder which is better..sports coupe style or the air dam style..

 

I can't say which is better however I'm definitely missing the lower air dam on my SC (part # 79 in the PDF that JamesC posted).
That said, I have no overheating issues whatsoever and I've just returned from a 1500 mile road in 100F temps. 75 mph towing a trailer (yet again) no less.
I would like to get the ar dam though, just to complete the bodywork if nothing else.

 

bought 88 Camaro to fix my wrecked 90 Camaro...the 88 didn't have this angled piece, #68,... just 2 flat pieces [see pics]...is this angled piece, #68 just for cars with ground effects...it won't fit and still be able to put flat pieces in...I'm outside trying to get this done, and need some help please

 

check out my reply at top of this post please...there's a diagram you've posted that shows all parts for Camaro front end...#68 on diagram, an angled part...does this suppose to go on 'all' Camaros...

 

The piece isn't shown 82-86 on my Parts and Illustration Cat. That said, my 85 IROC is so equipped. 87-91 (and probably 92) show the Baffle, Rad Air Upr.

JamesC

 

would I need part #68 with this 2 piece air dam...I have the 2 flat pieces that go on top between radiator and hood around hood latch... and I have the big flat top piece that closes it in right at the top of hood latch...