What does that black thing that hangs down under the front bumper do...

[MaraSport]

This is a silly and yet, curious question. I was wondering what does the black thing that hangs down under the front bumper do. I notice that there is an open area in front of it where it looks like it sends air to my radiator area... But Corvettes and F-Bodies from way back when to now and a few Vipers have these... Why?

Thanks...

[pugmire]

I am far from an expert...but I think you are right. It sends fresh cold air in the direction of the engine compartment.

[wako29]

Re: What does that black thing that hangs down under the front bumper do...

Originally posted by MaraSport
This is a silly and yet, curious question. I was wondering what does the black thing that hangs down under the front bumper do. I notice that there is an open area in front of it where it looks like it sends air to my radiator area... But Corvettes and F-Bodies from way back when to now and a few Vipers have these... Why?

Thanks...

something that has to do with aerodynamics I think.

Oh, and a BUNCH of cars have them. Even racing ones.

[Dave M]

Corvettes and f-bodies have them to scoop air into the radiator because there isn't the traditional opening in the front of the car. Not sure why a viper would have one, it has an open grill.

[KnightFire]

Yes it does feed the radiator fresh cool air, so you don't overheat and it does have an aerodynamic effect...it SORTA prevents air from going under the car...if you get air moving under the car at the same velocity as it goes over it...then you get something called "lift"....of course it does this VERY limitedly...and is mainly used for cooling purposes.



KnightFire

[MaraSport]

What type of racing benefits would it give... And I don't under stand how it scoops air into the radiator, but I am glad it does...

But here are a picture of it on a viper...
A blue viper from the side with one
A yellow one with it from the front right

[BadWS6]

The spoiler moves air into the radiator...had a 80 cutlass that had one and the guy I sold it to took off the spoiler and then complained that the car overheated constantly we put the spoiler back on problem solved....Of course some people use them to know when to stop in the parking space

[Z Ya Later]

Another function of the air dam under the car is that it actually increases straight-line stability. Not to a large extent, but it helps to keep the car from getting jumpy when you are driving in a straight line.

[fastTa]

That is the High Flux Density Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator for the Plasma Propulsion Accrelerators.

Duh!

[Performin Norman]

1st and second gen vipers didn't come with them from the factory.

[Mirroredshades]

Originally posted by fastTA
That is the High Flux Density Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator for the Plasma Propulsion Accrelerators.

Duh!

That's what I thought!

I'm so smart.

[fastTa]

Originally posted by Mirroredshades
That's what I thought!

I'm so smart.

Man I thought I was the only one.

[Zigroid]

I thought it was a flux compacitor

[Benm109]

Does anyone know where to get one? My car doesn't have on although I know it did (the bolts are still there for it). My car overheated the other day and I want to put one back on there.

[Rob B (shoebox)]

Originally posted by Benm109
Does anyone know where to get one? My car doesn't have on although I know it did (the bolts are still there for it). My car overheated the other day and I want to put one back on there.

1993-1997 f-body front air deflector (air dam)
GM p/n 10229657

Your car must have one or it will overheat on the highway.