Homemade front air dam

[WannaWagon]

I came up with my own home-made front air dam over the weekend. I'm pretty happy with the results. Here's a pic:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37215883@N00/6537430/

I used plastic garden edging available at most hardware stores. I spent a fair amount of time cutting it into just the right shape. This is a great material because it's cheap, very sturdy, and easy to work with. I used a sharp pocket knife and heavy scissors to cut it.

It is attached to the lower lip of the front sheet metal, using self-tapping sheet metal screws. I was able to use some existing holes there and only had to drill a couple of new holes. I made two small brackets out of aluminum strips to help support the outer corners of the air dam near the wheels.

It doesn't cover as well as the aftermarket air dams once available for the w123, and it's not as pretty, but it's not bad and I like the "functional" look anyway. No road-test results yet, but I'm hoping this will give me a little boost in mpg and maybe help keep the car planted a little in fast corners.

One advantage is that it cost almost nothing to make, and it's installed so that if my wife crunches it on a parking berm, the plastic will just tear away and the bodywork won't get hurt.

[billrei]

Nice, but I would be very surprised if it improved fuel mileage as you just increased the frontal area and second I doubt it will increase downforce as there is still way too much ground clearance, but it does look nice.

[BF_JC230]

i can not see it - ill try at work, not on aol...anyway-i made mine from a 1998 dodge dakota...go get in with a local shop and see if they get a wrecked one you can rework to fit...mine had a few cuts and such in it...not anymore

jake

[andersbenz]

WannaWagon-

Looks good.

[estod]

Saw all of your pictures ... do you know the owner of the DKW wagon? They are interesting little cars -- 2 cycle, if you didn't know.

[Veloce300DT]

I saw your front air dam, looks nice. I looked through your other photos, and I believe I saw the same mini cooper you have pictured, today... I was walking down 22nd st. in between Q and P sts. and there was a mini-cooper parked on that block that looked just like that. I actually see it frequently, a good friend of mine works at Lotus Salon on P st, bewteen 21st and 22nd.

Cheers!

[WannaWagon]

Originally Posted by Veloce300DT

I saw your front air dam, looks nice. I looked through your other photos, and I believe I saw the same mini cooper you have pictured, today... I was walking down 22nd st. in between Q and P sts. and there was a mini-cooper parked on that block that looked just like that. I actually see it frequently, a good friend of mine works at Lotus Salon on P st, bewteen 21st and 22nd.

Cheers!

Yes, that's probably the same Mini. So you're a regular in Sacramento. Not many of us on this forum! I checked out your Valtellina website. Looks like some awesome machines pass through there. Is that your shop?

Estod: So that wagon is an Audi DKW? I knew it was an Audi (actually, Auto Union) but didn't know what model. I had never seen one before, but it's kinda cool. I don't know the owner but the car lives around the corner from my mother-in-law, so I see it regularly.

[Veloce300DT]

Wannawagon-

I was born and raised all over the Bay Area, and currently live between SF and Davis, i am a Student right now. But most of my friends live in Midtown and the Indie my family has been using for years is in Midtown as well. Im out is Sacramento all the time, keep an eye peeled for my ride.
I dont own Valtellina Automobili, but I have passed through their shop a couple of times. AMAZING cars, and great guys! I am an Alfa enthusiast. Keeping my eye peeled for a Milano.... Valtellina also works on German marques.

Are there any other active Sacramento area Members? A meet would be an awesome thing to organize...

[WannaWagon]

Originally Posted by Veloce300DT

.. the Indie my family has been using for years is in Midtown as well.

Are there any other active Sacramento area Members? A meet would be an awesome thing to organize...

Who is your Midtown indie? I've been using Capital City European on 33rd St. and they're great.

Yeah, a meet would be cool. There's tons of diesel Benz's between here and Davis, but I dunno how many are on this list.

[Veloce300DT]

Paul at European Sports Car Garage, 16th & Tsts. Couldnt be happier with the work they do. Whats the cross street of Cap. City European, im trying to remeber where that place is for memory sake.

[WannaWagon]

The cross-street of Cap City Euro is Stockton Blvd., just east of Alhambra. I drive by your indie all the time and it looks like a decent shop. Nice to know there's an alternative!

[Veloce300DT]

OK now I remeber where that is! nice.

yeah my indie is great. Its a family owned business, been there since 1968 i believe! very friendly, professional, and knowledgable service.

[boneheaddoctor]

I wouldn't mind an AMG body kit on either my W123 or W116.....

I have THe Ronal R9 wheels on the 300SD now and a set of real AMG PENTA mags on the way for the 300D...

True its not the real thing but then....who really cares....Its your car and if you like it thats all that matters...

The air damn will likely help more in cooling than aerodynamics...........

[83-240D]

make a tray for the bottom to get everything out of the wind, lower the car 1.5 inches using the plans of the guy from chgo, and tweak the ip using his methods and that air dam should be good for maybe 35mpg city and 40 hwy .

why not. anything is possible on e-bay.



it looks nice. not certain if it serve the purpose you want.