Lower Air Dam Available:

[magindat]

Based on some interest from MVIV, I have decided to produce a small run of Aluminum Diamond Plate Lower Air Dams.
This part is a direct replacement for the plastic dam. The job of this part is to foil air passing under the car and create a vacuum behind the lower portion of the radiator, thus 'sucking' warm air from between the fan and the front of the motor.
I originally made one from leftover material for myself. It seemed to run a shade cooler on the highway and I liked the look, so I asked Hotrauder to try one out. I also sent one to Zack and to TMF to try out.
Later, LilAlleyCat purchased one and we installed it at MVIV.
Specs:
It's made from .063 Diamond Plate Aluminum.
It is a little shorter in the front and longer in the back to make a more effective air foil and move more air. Further, the shorter front is also moved back a bit and is less likely to hit curbs than the plastic stock part.
It's 24" wide (equal to the effective width of stock). I can make it wider. See below.

The deal: I would need to have prepaid commitments for 5 pieces at $100 which would include CONUS shipping.
I can make them in 30" as well. The run would be 16 pieces and I would need 5 prepaid commitments on those as well for $120 each including shipping.

This part has proven effective on N/A and on a Trilogy car.

Special Note: I am not a vendor. I am working under Mac's comments in this thread:http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=31237&page=4&highlight=hobby post #159. However, should these runs be sold out, I WILL make a donation to the site.

Pictures on next post.

 

[magindat]

Pictures

 

[MERCMAN]

Nice Looking :up:

One question tho,, the OEM does have some "give" to it, how about these? You have great roads down there in Fl. Up here not so good., so are these a bit forgiving for curbs, road hazards , possums???

 

[magindat]

Nice Looking :up:

One question tho,, the OEM does have some "give" to it, how about these? You have great roads down there in Fl. Up here not so good., so are these a bit forgiving for curbs, road hazards , possums???

Well, the leading edge was moved up and back, so less junk will hit it to start with. It is sheet aluminum, so unlike plastic is not resilient. However, it seems plenty tough to me. I scraped the scales off an armadillo on the way to work one mornig with no damage. Furthermore, if it did bend a bit, it straightens with a rubber hammer.

 

[Zack]

Im very pleased with this product.
Although ive yet to install it, the craftmanship is top notch.
Install will be on Friday.

 

[Hotrauder]

Diamond Plate Lower Air Dam

Mine has been installed for 2 big time trips now. Atlanta for the Lead sled event(thanks Mr. Bishop) and MVIV. It was hard to evaluate the temp reaction as it was 29 degrees in Commerce. However it was toasty in Kissimmee and I did see a lower needle position on the temp gauge. I have about 1500 miles on my unit. Stout as Santa and better looking. Thanks for the comments at the events. Oh, should an opposum decide to take a ride it won't be a problem for the deflector...the critter may have a differing viewpoint. Questions? give me a jingle. thanks Rich. Dennis

 

[LILALLEYKATT]

Magindat made me one after I saw HOTRAUDERs on his car in Atlanta. I picked it up from him in Orlando last week and we installed it in the parking lot in like 4 1/2inutes on our backs in the parking lot. I like the way it screams detail to the front undercar area. You can see the thing under the car from quite a way away as one of my friends I passed while pulling into the house yesterday called me and asked if I had put a deep sump oilpan on the car or not...i think they look BADA$$

 

[Loco1234]

Nice I like the idea...
I wish we had some true test values to look at...

like a 30 min 65mph highway drive with unit and the same drive without it...


Then compare temps... prove its total value.

 

[magindat]

Nice I like the idea...
I wish we had some true test values to look at...

like a 30 min 65mph highway drive with unit and the same drive without it...


Then compare temps... prove its total value.

Yeah, I'm not gonna work that hard. That's why there's testers out there.

I'm no vendor or big performance house, so testing is SOTP. I just (literally) banged a few out in my garage.

Making this run nets me about 20 bucks a piece. Not even enough to justify the time invested. Several asked at MVIV, so I'm just helping the community.

I have 5 of them out there (made by hand) and everyone is happy. It's inexpensive bling with a mild practical improvement.

If I do the run, it will be manufactured at a local metal shop to my specs and under my guidance, so quality and consitency will be even higher than the hand-made ones.

 

[TooManyFords]

My only complaint was that it wasn't autographed on the bottom!



John

 

[silverfrost1]

Why diamond plate?

Smooth surface would be less expensive and easier to clean.

The black plastic OEM part costs about $25.00, and will bend if hit.

 

[Raudermaster]

I'd get one, but unfortunately I'm a bit strapped for cash at the moment, with Christmas coming up. I can't be thinking about myself all the time. Hopefully after Christmas, if you still have some, I'll definately be in for one.

 

[magindat]

Smooth surface would be less expensive and easier to clean.

The black plastic OEM part costs about $25.00, and will bend if hit.

1) Cuz when I made my first one, that's what was lying around.
2) Visual interest.

I checked cost on smooth and in bulk the difference was only 50 bucks total across 20 pieces.

 

[magindat]

I'd get one, but unfortunately I'm a bit strapped for cash at the moment, with Christmas coming up. I can't be thinking about myself all the time. Hopefully after Christmas, if you still have some, I'll definately be in for one.

Thanx man, like I said. I need 5 preorders which would leave 15. I'm sure if it ever gets to production, I'll have some left....

 

[Tyrone Minto]

Could you make one 26"on the frontside and 36" on the back side?
I made one like this out of acrylic, but the diamond plate would be better.
Acrylic can burn. $150 not a problem??

 

[magindat]

Could you make one 26"on the frontside and 36" on the back side?
I made one like this out of acrylic, but the diamond plate would be better.
Acrylic can burn. $150 not a problem??

That should be doable, but I still need the 5 pre-orders. I'll PM you after a while regarding the one-off. I'd have to get a non-bulk price for material, but I think I can do it for $150. Might not be able to include shipping, but I'll let ya know.

 

[Mike Poore]

Nice Looking :up:

One question tho...., road hazards , possums???

That sucker'll skin a possum quicker'n you can say Snuffy Smiff.

Nice job, looks good. :up:

 

[Tyrone Minto]

That should be doable, but I still need the 5 pre-orders. I'll PM you after a while regarding the one-off. I'd have to get a non-bulk price for material, but I think I can do it for $150. Might not be able to include shipping, but I'll let ya know.

I will take 2

 

[pacammer]

Lower Air Dam

I will try a set. I would like them the same width as the factory pieces.

Gary

 

[texascorvette]

I'll be the mechanically challenged dummy and ask a couple questions.

Does the new dam change the aerodynamics of the car and make the mileage better/worse? That ethanol crap they make us use now has already cost me 3 or 4 miles per gallon.

Is there a single piece that replaces the factory air dam or two pieces? If you don't like bright shiny aluminum, can you spray paint the thing black?

Are there any other questions that I ought to be asking but don't know enough to ask? The price looks okay. I just don't understand why or how it's going to make my car better. Things like floppy rear bumpers, ProGuards, Cold Air Induction I understand. This concept I don't.