Rubber air dam . . .

[studio460]

Just a thought . . .

Remember when they used to make rubber air dams? Wouldn't it be cool if one were available for the Marauder (with driveways being what they are in the cities, fiberglas just won't do)? With the non-aerodynamic styling of our cars, I think we could really benefit from one (especially at those 90-110mph-cruise speeds).

And isn't our front facia (bumper cover) different from CrownVics/GMs so that if one were made for those cars, it wouldn't necessarily fit our Marauders?

Also, I remember someone else mentioning the same request here before, but wouldn't it also be cool if someone were to make a not-too-wild aero package?

I've searched the internet and have so far found nothing.

[studio460]

Hey! I'm answering my own post!

What I used to refer to as an "air dam," apparently is now more popularly referred to as a "chin spoiler." Oh, and they're not made of rubber anymore (maybe they never were). They make 'em out of a hybrid urethane material, "poly-urea," (as one salesperson described it, "like Tupperware"). Fancier front-mounted air dam-like (aero-style) facias are called "splitters."

http://newsfile.tv/99-03.jpg
Mach 1 chin spoiler for '99-'03 Mustangs

I could only find chin spoilers for Mustangs, ricers, and one Pontiac online. I traced an '03 Mach 1 chin spoiler and found that it isn't too far off from the profile from the front of the Marauder. I'm probably going with the CDC chin spoiler designed for '94-'98 Mustangs (see photo below) since it is taller (top to bottom), more like a real, functional air dam. The Mach 1 spoiler is so thin, that its only real effect is probably cosmetic.

http://newsfile.tv/94-98.jpg
CDC chin spoiler for '94-'98 Mustangs

Not sure if '94-'98 Mustangs were wider or narrower in front when compared with '99-'03 Mustang front ends. According to Ford specification sheets, the current Mustang is only 4" narrower than the Marauder.

As far as mounting goes, it was suggested to mount using Christmas trees as oppossed to nuts and bolts. That way, I won't tear the whole front end off if I run over something.

P.S. After closer inspection in Photoshop, BOTH SPOILERS APEAR TO BE ABOUT THE SAME WIDTH (top to bottom)!!! The manufacturer's photo is so poor, that the spoiler's shadow leads you to believe that the '94-'98 chin spoiler is much wider--IT'S NOT.

Now the question is, which Mustang front end's contour is most similar to a Marauders? I traced an '03 Mustang, and like I said, it was suprisingly close. Aw, what the heck . . . it's only $65!!! I'm just going to order one (the Mach 1 chin spoiler for '99-'03 Mustangs) and give it a shot . . .

[studio460]

Here's a picture of the, "Pontiac chin spoiler/front air dam for 1999-2002 and up Grand Prix GTs and GTPs." It only comes with the stupid Pontiac graphics emblazoned on it (no offense, Triple-T)--you can't order it without them (well, I haven't actually spoken to the company--maybe you could special order one, or maybe it's a Pontiac OEM part--I dunno).

http://newsfile.tv/lame.jpg

Interestingly, this air dam may even add some real functional benefit. The manufacturer claims, ". . . [this] air dam comes with the white on black logo as shown. This product is the result of extensive testing of air dams on our GTO race car at speeds up to 140 mph."

[martyo]

Why would anyone put a part that says "Pontiac" on a Marauder?

[studio460]

Sand, prime, paint black, file off "foreign" part number.

[LincMercLover]

Actually, the 94-98 Stang chin spoiler may be a little easier to adapt to our cars cause of its wideness.

[MAD-3R]

Maybe see if there is a 89 to (last year of T-bird/Cougar before restyle) air damn. Wider, and may fit better.

[Warpath]

Originally posted by NBC Shooter
...As far as mounting goes, it was suggested to mount using Christmas trees as oppossed to nuts and bolts. That way, I won't tear the whole front end off if I run over something...

The wind may pull out the christmas trees. It will be worth using bolts and nuts to minimize the chance of it coming loose while driving. It could do some damage if it did.

[LincMercLover]

Wouldn't Christmas trees put scratches in the car though? I mean, all those pine needles... :lol:

I'm guessing you're reffering to push-pins?

[RCSignals]

Our cars do have an "air dam". Just look under the front bumper

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by NBC Shooter
It only comes with the stupid Pontiac graphics emblazoned on it (no offense, Triple-T)


No offense taken... let it be noted that I do not have any non-factory graphics on ANY of my cars. No windshield banners, no aftermarket decals... nada...

http://www.tripletransam.com/2002/Dscf5333w.jpg

[TripleTransAm]

Originally posted by RCSignals
Our cars do have an "air dam". Just look under the front bumper


And chances are it isn't there only for looks, either.

A lot of times, the air dam helps feed more air into the radiator area. If the airdam happens to be in line with the radiator face, then you can bet it's there for cooling reasons.

My 1985 Parisienne had a nice wide grille with no obstruction to the radiator. However, I lost part of this air dam one summer without noticing, and the car would heat up some on the highway. Not overheat (I lost about 3/4 of the airdam) but enough to make me go "yikes, what's up with my cooling system!!??!???" Replacing the airdam brought everything back to normal.

My "bottom breather" Firebirds (mostly the 1987 and 1998) would just plain melt-down if ever I lost an airdam on either of them.

[studio460]

NICE, Triple-T! LOVE your '87 GTA!

Gee . . . if only I could have three black cars . . . A Marauder (have that one). An '05 Cobra. An '03 Cobra. An '02 Camaro SS loaded with EVERY SLP option. All black. Wait, that's four cars . . .

Oh yeah. About the spoiler . . . Yeah, that's what I was thinking, LML. But the '94-'98 chin spoiler sells for $165 vs. only $65 for the '99-'03 spoiler. Does anyone know if the '94-'98 Mustangs are in fact wider in the front than the '99-'03 Mustangs are?

Also, when I made the hand-drawn outline of the '03 Mustang air dam, the contour seemed pretty darn close to our Marauders'. Anyone here with a '94-'98 'Stang to compare?

P.S. Couldn't find anything for T-bird in Google either.