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February 21st, 2007
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#1 | | Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006 Location: Southern Illinois
Posts: 158
| front air dam gone to Reatta heaven
Hi everyone. It's been a while since I've posted. I'm currently down in Florida, escaping the cold Illinois weather. A couple of weeks ago, on my way down, I had the misfortune of coming upon a semi just as it threw a big hunk of debris right in front of me. It went under and bounced around. Doing 75 and on 3 busy lanes, I had to wait for an exit. During that time, I heard some pretty scary noises. After pulling over, I discovered the plastic piece ( air dam ? ) that's below the front bumper, stretching across the front, had been torn loose and was only hanging on by the ends near the fenders, and dragging on the ground, trying to get under the tires. It was trashed, so I removed it and threw it away. After a couple of weeks, I'm kind of getting used to it. Question is, what is the purpose of that thing ? Functional or cosmetic ? I welcome your thoughts ! Jim
By the way - 205K now and going strong ! | 
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February 21st, 2007
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#2 | | Many Carpets
Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Orlando, Florida: where rust must be imported.
Posts: 8,576
| Re: front air dam gone to Reatta heaven
May run hotter in warm weather on the Interstate. Purpose is to lessen the high pressure area under the engine which restricts airflow through the radiator. Since the Reatta radiator is about 10% smaller than most other cars with 3800s this can be an issue.
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February 21st, 2007
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#3 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dimondale, MI
Posts: 5,222
| Re: front air dam gone to Reatta heaven
never thought of that one Padgett but it makes sense. I was thinking it was just cosmetic
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'74 LeSabre Luxus convertible (code U 455) '89 coupe, '94 Century wagon, '07 Subaru Forester, '90 white coupe (brother's)
The "GS" will rise again. | |
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February 21st, 2007
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#4 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Appleton, WI
Posts: 784
| Re: front air dam gone to Reatta heaven
I you want to measure the pressure differential from the front to the rear of the radiator a simple water manometer hung inside the car works pretty well and is interesting to see what happens. I lowered the piece referred to above by 1/2" and it did make a difference in the pressure differential from front to rear of the radiator, which will help flow. The piece does serve a mechanical purpose and does serve a cosmetic purpose as well.
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Still Turbocharged Reatta | |
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February 22nd, 2007
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#5 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: SE Pa.
Posts: 249
| Re: front air dam gone to Reatta heaven
So you're saying that lowering the air dam helps the air flow better thus lowering water/engine temp? How did you lower the air dam? | |
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February 22nd, 2007
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#6 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: A.K.A. Easily Distracted by Shiny Objects and Drive it Like I Stole It. My home garage is in Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA
Posts: 3,335
| Re: front air dam gone to Reatta heaven
How did you lower the air dam? 
Some times it just is lower.
Here is a Canadian snow plow version. | |
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February 22nd, 2007
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#7 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Walled Lake, MI
Posts: 455
| Re: front air dam gone to Reatta heaven
wow ^ what is that and what is the story? | |
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February 22nd, 2007
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#8 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Appleton, WI
Posts: 784
| Re: front air dam gone to Reatta heaven
It seems to help air flow through the radiator although I never really had a temperature problem. It was more of an experiment than anything else. I just made spacers with longer screws. Air dams and such only help when moving, so urban driving in traffic doesn't really do much. The water manometer test I mentioned will show you what effect speed, wind direction and following other cars does to air flow. That chin spoiler in the other post looks decent from the front although I amm curious how it looks from the side. I wouldn't be able to get the car in my driveway with that installed, but it is probably pretty effective.
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Still Turbocharged Reatta | |
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February 23rd, 2007
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#9 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: A.K.A. Easily Distracted by Shiny Objects and Drive it Like I Stole It. My home garage is in Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA
Posts: 3,335
| Re: front air dam gone to Reatta heaven
wow ^ what is that and what is the story?
Had nothing to do on a Saturday morning and threw it together with fiberglass and polester resin. Uses stock mounting points. That chin spoiler in the other post looks decent from the front although I amm curious how it looks from the side. I wouldn't be able to get the car in my driveway with that installed, but it is probably pretty effective.
It is very good at plowing snow (really it must come off in winter) it plows gravel and drags on most speed bumps and under heavy braking on the highway it will drag on some dips.
2seater; you probably could get it into your driveway. I suspect that I could. It requires a leap of faith...you stab the gas just before you think it will drag and that lifts the front. There are some serious rub marks on the front lip. | |
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February 23rd, 2007
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#10 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Appleton, WI
Posts: 784
| Re: front air dam gone to Reatta heaven
"Had nothing to do on a Saturday morning and threw it together with fiberglass and polester resin. Uses stock mounting points."
Uhh, pretty nice work for "throwing it together"
2seater; you probably could get it into your driveway. I suspect that I could. It requires a leap of faith...you stab the gas just before you think it will drag and that lifts the front. There are some serious rub marks on the front lip. [/quote]
Yep, I understand the technique, just not too good at the timing <img src=" http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
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