Air "dams"

[Leo 5.0]

I hit a pothole tonight....
My air dams are hanging. Bumper is ok, but the plastic crap underneath is damaged.

My question, is it really needed?
I can't imagine how you guys with lowered cars do it, my apartment has a 5 inch dip from the road to the parking lot, and unless I go really slow it will hit my dams anyway.

Bottom line, can I just yank em?
I personally like the look without em. But now that they are damaged it's fix or remove.

I'm wondering about all three, the two on the side and the one by the radiator.

Thanks in advance.

 

[96blak54]

Yea I think they pop off. May need a little persuasion but do come off

 

[CC'S95GT]

The center one aids in directing airflow through the radiator. Some have problems cooling some don't.
Pull them but don't toss them. Especially the center one.

Mine didn't have a any when I got it but does have the center one now.
The corner ones are held on with big f'n rivits and can be tough to get off. They also help hold up the bottom corners of the bumper cover.

 

[ProKiller]

yeah the center is for diverting air into the radiator under highway speeds. some have issues, some don't when they remove them.

 

[Orange 94]

Air damn as in that plastic shield under the front of the car? My car never had one, and I won't be putting one on. I have 0 issues not having it.

 

[joekd]

Took the center one off my 00GT and my 96GT, temp never changed one degree

 

[ttocs]

Took the center one off my 00GT and my 96GT, temp never changed one degree

Were you running the stock temp gauge or an aftermarket that really showed what was going on? The stock temp gauges are dumbed down to the point I mine was overheating on a dyno run(showing 230 degrees on his sensors) to the point the motor was pulling timing from it to try and cool it. The stock temp gauge got slightly over half way up but no higher.

I would not do it with the stock temp gauge. Sure its a $2 piece of plastic but its been shown to make a difference on some

 

[Leo 5.0]

Thanks.
I will monitor with my tuner any temp changes after removing the center.
Besides my 3 core radiator is coming in

 

[joekd]

Were you running the stock temp gauge or an aftermarket that really showed what was going on? The stock temp gauges are dumbed down to the point I mine was overheating on a dyno run(showing 230 degrees on his sensors) to the point the motor was pulling timing from it to try and cool it. The stock temp gauge got slightly over half way up but no higher.

I would not do it with the stock temp gauge. Sure its a $2 piece of plastic but its been shown to make a difference on some

Scanguage II, it read the exact temps

 

[Leo 5.0]

Update and new question.
I removed the side dams, but left the radiator for peace of mind.
First:
temps were steady.
45 minutes of driving, in town, areas to keep it steady with just the fan going, and other areas where the fan shuts off, so pretty much all daily driving type of events.
That's including a spirited run down a back road.
They cooled back down but were about 3 degrees higher than before that run.
So I think cooling isn't going to be a problem.
Assuming the UPS guy will deliver my radiator before the sun goes down...

Now for my question.
I see a few of you with the chin spoiler.
First, did you mod the 99+ or use a 94-98 specific?
Secondly, did you keep your actual radiator fin?
And lastly, since it goes up front, did it interfere with said fin's flow?

I have decided it's about just what I need for my front end. Assuming I stay away from that street with all the potholes.

As always thanks in advance!

 

[Ferocious]

I see a few of you with the chin spoiler.
First, did you mod the 99+ or use a 94-98 specific?
Secondly, did you keep your actual radiator fin?
And lastly, since it goes up front, did it interfere with said fin's flow?

1. They are the same fit... just advertised different.
2. Mine has been off for over a year. No problems whatsoever. I'll be taking off the side ones next week to make room for a splitter.
3. Not 100% sure on this but I assume no as the radiator fin hangs lower than the chin spoiler iirc. The amount of airflow that the chin spoiler will limit is very little, if none at all.

 

[joekd]

Hate to say it but you are really overanalyzing things

If the chin spoiler made the car run hot pretty much no one would run them. As it is i would say 30% of the mustangs you see "customized" include the chin, that would be a lot of overheating.

 

[Win]

I can't imagine how you guys with lowered cars do it, my apartment has a 5 inch dip from the road to the parking lot, and unless I go really slow it will hit my dams anyway.

Update and new question
Now for my question.
I see a few of you with the chin spoiler.
First, did you mod the 99+ or use a 94-98 specific?
Secondly, did you keep your actual radiator fin?
And lastly, since it goes up front, did it interfere with said fin's flow?

I have decided it's about just what I need for my front end. Assuming I stay away from that street with all the potholes.

As always thanks in advance!

i think you've already answered your own question.

i wouldn't be putting one on if I were you.

 

[CC'S95GT]

The addition of the chin didn't change my temps one bit.

 

[ProKiller]

if your getting a new aluminum radiator you won't have any problems period. the junk build up in the stockers is usually what attributes to overheating and obviously increased power mods.

 

[Leo 5.0]

Ok thanks everyone.
Yeah, I tend to over think, it's an older car. So everything comes with deep thought, safe than sorry.

My brand new 09 I bought I thought nothing through and wasted a LOT of money, and end the end just sold it.
So I've always thought things out a bit more.

My 06 I dumped around 6k into it, should have just blown it for that cost, but in NA trim put down nice numbers 421/403 at the wheels.
But in hindsight, had I known her going to the gas station was too much, would probably still have that car today.

And my 2v experience isn't that deep. So I figure the dumbest questions, are those not asked.

So I do enjoy picking everyone's brains. Reading through, and learning.

So as always, thanks everyone!
Guess that'll be my April cosmetic add-on.
This month is power though.