Dam it
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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2224
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
- Location: Elgin, IL
Dam it
Air dam that is.
Interesting reading:
http://www.dieselpowermag.com/features/ ... index.html
http://www.fokisd.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=508
Got me thinking about trying an air dam on Grumpy. What do you guys think, worth a shot?
Interesting reading:
http://www.dieselpowermag.com/features/ ... index.html
http://www.fokisd.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=508
Got me thinking about trying an air dam on Grumpy. What do you guys think, worth a shot?
Aaron
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
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- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1230
- Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 4:50 am
- Location: Billings, MT, 'MERICA!
Re: Dam it
Grumpy already has one. They've been standard on vehicles for some time.
Mike, Billings, MT, 'MERICA!
92 Safari SLE w/Z Motor (sold to a good home)
98 AWD Stro LS
93 Suburban Silverado 4x4
Look for the MISSING Alien in the Right Seat. AL, PHONE HOME!!!
![Image](http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/weathersticker/sunandmoon/language/www/US/MT/Billings.gif)
![Image](http://www.chopperstickers.com/images/P/647l.gif)
![Image](http://www.honorflight.org/images/031107/troops_4601jpg.gif)
92 Safari SLE w/Z Motor (sold to a good home)
98 AWD Stro LS
93 Suburban Silverado 4x4
Look for the MISSING Alien in the Right Seat. AL, PHONE HOME!!!
![Image](http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/weathersticker/sunandmoon/language/www/US/MT/Billings.gif)
![Image](http://www.chopperstickers.com/images/P/647l.gif)
![Image](http://www.honorflight.org/images/031107/troops_4601jpg.gif)
Re: Dam it
Unless you have a long daily commute of open highway driving with no stop and go traffic, you would never see any real difference in your gas consumption. You might see a slight improvement when cruising, but the question is: how much of your drive time is 60 mph or higher?
For example, I have a 26 mile commute one way. Part of it is stop and go traffic, part of it is 65 mph+. Over a typical week, my average speed for a weeks worth of commuting is 27 mph. This was actually kind of surprising to me as I had no idea it was so low.
Besides that, why would you want to put that Frankenstein's Monster of an air dam on the front of your van?
For example, I have a 26 mile commute one way. Part of it is stop and go traffic, part of it is 65 mph+. Over a typical week, my average speed for a weeks worth of commuting is 27 mph. This was actually kind of surprising to me as I had no idea it was so low.
Besides that, why would you want to put that Frankenstein's Monster of an air dam on the front of your van?
'89 Astro, 4.3L, TBI. Minor intake and exhaust mods. Rebuilt 700R4 trans (by me). Corvette servo, 0.5" boost valve, police grade 1-2 accumulator spring (shifts fast and solid). B&M stacked plate trans cooler. Bilstein shocks. Belltech sway bars front and back. New head unit, speakers and subwoofer. Needs paint and a new headliner.
name's Steve
I can't remember all I've forgotten about that....
name's Steve
I can't remember all I've forgotten about that....
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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2224
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
- Location: Elgin, IL
Re: Dam it
My commute is 25 miles each way with 22 miles of it being on the interstate, plus Grumpy was bought specifically for a 3000 mile road trip.
If I can do something like that cheaply and gain mpgs it might be worth having something that ugly out front.
If I can do something like that cheaply and gain mpgs it might be worth having something that ugly out front.
Aaron
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
Re: Dam it
Well in that case you might see some positive result. I've pondered the idea of fabricating a custom air dam to replace the stock piece on my van. My thought was to make one that was similar to the stock air dam but to make it deeper. The theory bouncing around my brain was to create more negative pressure under the van to assist air flow through the radiator and engine compartment.
'89 Astro, 4.3L, TBI. Minor intake and exhaust mods. Rebuilt 700R4 trans (by me). Corvette servo, 0.5" boost valve, police grade 1-2 accumulator spring (shifts fast and solid). B&M stacked plate trans cooler. Bilstein shocks. Belltech sway bars front and back. New head unit, speakers and subwoofer. Needs paint and a new headliner.
name's Steve
I can't remember all I've forgotten about that....
name's Steve
I can't remember all I've forgotten about that....
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- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 354
- Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:35 am
- Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Re: Dam it
I've thought about having something adjustable, hydraulic or just cable controlled, as you pick up speed adjust it out or lower or both,
The same with body... higher speed, smoother roads, lower to the ground (especially with all the crack heads crawling under vehicles cutting off catalytic converters... when parked, a low rider, so unless they bring a jack, they cant get under....)
The same with body... higher speed, smoother roads, lower to the ground (especially with all the crack heads crawling under vehicles cutting off catalytic converters... when parked, a low rider, so unless they bring a jack, they cant get under....)
2000 Astro, passenger van. Converted into a cargo van, used for Carpet cleaning (10 lbs of crap, in a 5 lb bag)
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- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1230
- Joined: Sun Sep 10, 2006 4:50 am
- Location: Billings, MT, 'MERICA!
Re: Dam it
Once again, there is an air dam already installed on Grumpy.
Mike, Billings, MT, 'MERICA!
92 Safari SLE w/Z Motor (sold to a good home)
98 AWD Stro LS
93 Suburban Silverado 4x4
Look for the MISSING Alien in the Right Seat. AL, PHONE HOME!!!
![Image](http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/weathersticker/sunandmoon/language/www/US/MT/Billings.gif)
![Image](http://www.chopperstickers.com/images/P/647l.gif)
![Image](http://www.honorflight.org/images/031107/troops_4601jpg.gif)
92 Safari SLE w/Z Motor (sold to a good home)
98 AWD Stro LS
93 Suburban Silverado 4x4
Look for the MISSING Alien in the Right Seat. AL, PHONE HOME!!!
![Image](http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/weathersticker/sunandmoon/language/www/US/MT/Billings.gif)
![Image](http://www.chopperstickers.com/images/P/647l.gif)
![Image](http://www.honorflight.org/images/031107/troops_4601jpg.gif)
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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2224
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
- Location: Elgin, IL
Re: Dam it
Sure there is the stock air dam that's like what 6-8" off the ground, not very efficient. I'm thinking much closer, in the neighbor hood of 1.5-2" and made out of conveyor belt material. It will probably rub during hard breaking, but it should be flexable enough that it won't matter.
Aaron
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
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- I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 214
- Joined: Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:49 pm
- Location: Kentucky
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- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 287
- Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 11:37 pm
- Location: Melbourne, FL
Re: Dam it
I guess I just don't see the point in that. Grumpy is an AWD van right? Why put something on it the will hinder ground clearance? Then you gotta wonder how long it will be before you suck up a plastic bag that seem to be flying all over the roadways these days. Or any other debris on the road, rainwater, the list goes on.ihatemybike wrote:Sure there is the stock air dam that's like what 6-8" off the ground, not very efficient. I'm thinking much closer, in the neighbor hood of 1.5-2" and made out of conveyor belt material. It will probably rub during hard breaking, but it should be flexable enough that it won't matter.
It's just not worth the hassle in my opinion...
Steve O
94 2WD Astro EXT
179,000 miles and counting
Going from an 8 seater to a 4 seater
94 2WD Astro EXT
179,000 miles and counting
Going from an 8 seater to a 4 seater
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- I sleep in my van
- Posts: 352
- Joined: Tue Jun 12, 2007 9:18 am
Re: Dam it
with the exception of tweaking the torsion bars a little mine is basicly stock height and i still cant get under it without a floorjack i wouldnt worry too much about bums stealing your cat. on a side note tweakers here in oregon have actually been breaking into electric plants lately and stealing the large copper boots from the ends of the ground wires, i dont even want to know how, anything for a fast buck i guess!!Moreforles wrote:I've thought about having something adjustable, hydraulic or just cable controlled, as you pick up speed adjust it out or lower or both,
The same with body... higher speed, smoother roads, lower to the ground (especially with all the crack heads crawling under vehicles cutting off catalytic converters... when parked, a low rider, so unless they bring a jack, they cant get under....)
99 SLT Safari AWD, G80/GT4 rear, Burgundy, 196,000 and counting (strictly AMSOIL) flowmaster 40series muffler no more cat, K&N Kone Filter, roll pan, 255/60/15 rubbers mounted to 15x8.5 inch American Racing Tailgunner wheels, billet grille, CB Radio, Alpine Deck, Shag carpet, the list goes on....
03 Chevy Silverado 2500HD, LB7 Duramax Diesel, 5 speed Allison Tranny, Crew Cab Long Bed, no muffler or cat, 4 inch turbo back and side piped. not too many other mods yet, also addicted to AMSOIL.
03 Chevy Silverado 2500HD, LB7 Duramax Diesel, 5 speed Allison Tranny, Crew Cab Long Bed, no muffler or cat, 4 inch turbo back and side piped. not too many other mods yet, also addicted to AMSOIL.
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- I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 161
- Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2007 7:00 am
- Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Re: Dam it
Two votes!d3athm3talh3ad wrote:i vote for lowering the van until the stock air dam is 1-2 inches off the ground...
Indy, all the horsepower you could ever imagine in one place...
Indianapolis 500, MotoGP, 400 at the Brickyard, NHRA US Nationals.
1991 Safari GT, 'B' motor, factory 4.10's. Original Owner !!!
Indianapolis 500, MotoGP, 400 at the Brickyard, NHRA US Nationals.
1991 Safari GT, 'B' motor, factory 4.10's. Original Owner !!!
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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 2224
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
- Location: Elgin, IL
Re: Dam it
Yes, Grumpy is an AWD. It's all about increasing the MPGs, plan is to make something that can be removed fairly quickly for going off road or driving in snow. I don't see debris being a problem, as it doesn't effect the van's air intake (currently upper passenger side of the grill).astronut74 wrote:I guess I just don't see the point in that. Grumpy is an AWD van right? Why put something on it the will hinder ground clearance? Then you gotta wonder how long it will be before you suck up a plastic bag that seem to be flying all over the roadways these days. Or any other debris on the road, rainwater, the list goes on.
It's just not worth the hassle in my opinion...
Over the rally's 3000 miles it could be worth the hassle.
3000 miles @ 16 mpg (Grumpy's last recorded tank MPG) = 187.5 gallons * $4.16 (last price I paid for gas) = $780
For every 1 mpg increase I can squeeze out I'll save about $45.
Ideally I'd like to hit 20 mpg or better.
Aaron
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86