removing plastic Air Dam?

[GoldRush]

The Dream Cruiser does have a dam, it is a molded part of the fascia and color matched. Mine cracked horizonally, so rather than replace the whole front lower fascia I removed the center two thirds with a hi speed so it would not tear off completely.this was almost a year ago and there has been absolutely no change in the temp. gauge or fan function that I could discern.

[PT_Sean]

Originally posted by PToholicsAnonymous
Have you noticed that the Dream Cruiser DOES NOT have this plastic strip installed?

When I had my covers replaced, and put the Dream front on, I asked about why the plastic dam wasn't installed. They said it didn't have one, and then I verified by looking at several brand new Dreams on the lot.

So, is it really more that just a "Curb Feeler"?

DC1 certainly have one, albeit, smaller than the other PTs.

On the DC2, I took this pic, and do not see it either. I wonder if its because there are more openings and air flow in the lower fascia, which would result in the same effect.

It is in NO WAY a curb feeler- there is a great deal of science and engineering involved in that small piece of plastic.






Here is a pic of a silver GT- the lower dam (color keyed) is pretty evident there.

[PT_Sean]

Taikuchin's previous thread on cooling.

[im4cruisn]

You dudes are awesome...thanks for all the info! I can see where they would be a needed part of the air system.

Like I say, I'm having another put on Friday, the dealer is selling me the new one for 22.50 and not charging to install it, cuz I'm going to have them change the oil anyway ...so what a deal, I can't say no!

Then I can put some new chrome edging on the new one when I get to CA next week....

[PT_Sean]

Originally posted by im4cruisn

Then I can put some new chrome edging on the new one when I get to CA next week....

Great idea. (I also painted mine).

If you put the chrome edging ON, check out THIS tip by Rick:

Air Dam Trim Tip

(use a tie wrap to hold the end of the edging)

[JOEM]

Originally posted by taikuchin
I took it off & noticed that the temp gauge began to fluctuate (even at relatively low speeds) indicating that it was heating up enough for the fan to come on. Put it back on the same day & the gauge returned it's normal steady state.

I removed the air dam on a earlier model Dodge I owned after a speed bump chewed it up pretty thoroughly (Dodge Daytona Shelby Z). I noticed the same thing--temperature gauge zooming into three-quarters quickly, the fan almost always running, etc. Those four-bangers run pretty hot as a rule and it's not prudent to do anyhting that adversely affects the cooling air flow to them.

[im4cruisn]

Great tip Sean, I'll be doing that. I wondered how the edging was going to react on that plastic rubber material.

After the ordeal with the splash guards, I'll be forever be wary of that stuff!

[frogprince]

Originally posted by GoldRush
I removed the center two thirds with a hi speed

On this note, I have thought about shaving off a bit from my 2002 before putting the next one on. I have replaced it twice already, mostly for show. To avoid replacing it more often, and due to the fact that I have level ride lowering, what about taking an inch or two off of the whole bottom edge? Has anyone done this?

[santacruzr]

Hey Gold Rush:

I did the same thing to my Dream Cruiser 2, but not on purpose. After I had it lowered, I scraped the air dam alot, and it cracked in the center. So my husband just cut that part off, now there is just a piece on each side. Seems like the temperature gauge stays right in the middle. Even last weekend we were stuck in freeway traffic and it was 103, the temperature gauge was in the middle, no problem.

We were going to remove the whole thing, but I guess it's better to leave it to keep the engine cool.

I noticed the air dam on my PT is just part of the whole bumper, and is much smaller than on the older models. Maybe it is OK to make it smaller if you have one of those bigger air dams?

Natasha

[GoldRush]

Hey if enough of us do that it will 'factory' and the rest can claim a 'mod'
I don't know why we have no trouble when others do? Maybe because we have DC's? or because we left the sides intact? I could not find any reference in the repair manual to the air dam affecting the cooling system.