Hello. First time posting. Long time lurker. Today I was driving my 88 firebird Pro Am (305,4 speed auto) and I hit a cat going fairly quickly. This completely wiped out my air dam and now my car is running warm. What sort of air dam do I need? Mine shattered completely on impact and there is nothing left of it other than a bit of plastic on the left side. There's also now some sort of bar dangling down where the air dam used to be. Can get pics if requested. Please help a noobie who just wants to fix his car. Thanks.

 

Pretty simple fix, air dam is important in channeling the needed cool air up thru radiator. No sure what the bar maybe, perhaps a brace ?

Try to find a like year parts car nearby or junkyard .... once you take on out, should be easy to put back in.

I guess the cat didn't make it ?

 

Afraid not. Hit the cat at about 70mph after it ran across both lanes to die. I still have both of the fender pieces that bolt on. I'm just missing the main big middle piece that actually forces the air up. I'm thinking if I can't find one local (cause they're like 120$ online and that's a no go.) I'm thinking I could probably just make one out of some sort of hard plastic or rubber. Can't be that complicated.

 

Poor Cat!!!

 

wow a bird killing a cat, unheard of lol, Yes you can make a homeade one with good results , not around my car right now or i would get a pic, but its a 88 firebird also, never had a air dam when i bought it. I tried with no success on finding a new or used one. What I did was go to walmart and I got a plastic lid from the longest tote box they had, $5, then get under your car and measure how long the dam needs to be. get some scissors and start cutting to the desired length x width. once the air dam is cut, cut holes in the new air dam where it will attach to your car. use whatever method you desire and attach the dam. Just try to get it close to factory looking as possible and then hit the highway and try her out. Mine has been working fine keeping her running cool on the highway all day long for 3 years. when i first got my car, i didnt know it didnt have a air dam, I was 30 miles from home and overheated to the point motor wouldnt even turn over, (temp gauge pegged) I luckily coasted into a walmart and went to the arts and crafts section and made a air dam out of cardboard just to get me home. actually worked with that cardboard dam for a week until it rained lol. point being, the dam doesnt have to be perfect, just get something that looks like the original dam and she will keep cool. also, when securing the new air dam, make sure its sturdy enough not to blow backwards or bend at highway speeds. so new air dam for a total of $5 and some cutting and measuring,well worth it.

 

Classic car industries has them for about $78.

 

You can find new ones for about $65 on eBay.