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Three piece air deflector on 89 formula

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Old Nov 19, 2018 | 12:19 PM
  #1  
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From: North East GA
Car: 1989 Firebird
Engine: 5.7 LS1
Transmission: T56
Three piece air deflector on 89 formula

I decided to try the three piece air deflector. The center section fits great. The side extensions not so much. So I guess does the side parts from the trans am bumper fit the formula. Other options include custom filler panels or a small adapter.

The formula air deflector isn't reproduce and most in junkyards show their age.





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Old Nov 19, 2018 | 02:25 PM
  #2  
1989karr's Avatar
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Car: 89' Firebird / 87' Formula
Engine: 3.4 / 5.0
Transmission: 700-R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 / 3.42
Re: Three piece air deflector on 89 formula

had the sae problem on my 87. I just used the middle piece. So far no issues!
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Old Nov 19, 2018 | 02:39 PM
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Re: Three piece air deflector on 89 formula

The side pieces in that kit fit 85-90 Trans Am GFX. 91-92 gfx use a different type. The base (non-GFX) Firebird filler panel is pretty close from 85-92. It wouldn't surprise me if the side pieces from those years would bolt up. Moot point anyway since they're discontinued.
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Old Nov 19, 2018 | 03:07 PM
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From: North East GA
Car: 1989 Firebird
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Transmission: T56
Re: Three piece air deflector on 89 formula

I came up with a solution... Here is a glimpse. Heat gun to shape it, metal bracket for screw tabs. Waiting for the fillers to dry I lackor thinned them and pressure washed the paint off them.





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Old Nov 19, 2018 | 04:08 PM
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From: North East GA
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Re: Three piece air deflector on 89 formula




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Old Nov 19, 2018 | 04:10 PM
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Transmission: T56
Re: Three piece air deflector on 89 formula



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Old Nov 19, 2018 | 04:16 PM
  #7  
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Axle/Gears: 3.42 / 3.42
Re: Three piece air deflector on 89 formula

Awesome job! I still have the 2 pieces...maybe I should look into this!
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Old Nov 19, 2018 | 04:52 PM
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Re: Three piece air deflector on 89 formula




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Old Nov 19, 2018 | 05:00 PM
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From: North East GA
Car: 1989 Firebird
Engine: 5.7 LS1
Transmission: T56
Re: Three piece air deflector on 89 formula

Heat on the inside so that you don't distort the texture. Focus more heat on the flange bend it and clamp it into position. Let cool make sure it has the shape you like. As for the metal brackets I just eyballed them. Make sure they are not to wide if you plan on using screw clips so the clips will teach the screw hole. Once together I didn't like the shape of one so I heated it and pushed a roll of ducttape into it to round it more. Trim the tire side to your liking and any tire clearance issues.

Took me a few hours to get it where I was happy but some of that was paint stripping, pressure washing, and painting the bracket.

The soga of a simple ls1 swap turned full restromod...
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Old Dec 4, 2018 | 09:30 PM
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Axle/Gears: Dana 44 3.54
Re: Three piece air deflector on 89 formula

looks good and I bet works just fine, where are the 3 piece kits available, anywhere else then hawks?
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Old Dec 4, 2018 | 09:34 PM
  #11  
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From: North East GA
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Re: Three piece air deflector on 89 formula

Several places have it. I believe it's made by OER. Classic industry eBay etc.
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