I messed up the air deflector panel while hooking up the SLP CAI. Just wondering it will be okay without it? For those of you who don't know, this is black plastic that sits in front of your radiator and connects to another black plastic panel right in front of the radiator.
Thanks.
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on 24 February, 2003 03:35 AM:
As a rule I go under the premise that the parts are there for a reason. The lower plastic panel and upper plastic panel fit together and deflect air toward the radiator, keep dirt and debris from getting up into the front of car, etc. I'm not sure which one you left out but they are easy to replace and I don't imagine either is espensive so I would replace it. My .02.
Posted by Hawkeye (Member # 88) on 24 February, 2003 05:26 AM:
I bought a spare one while they're still available - I think it was $17.00 Posted by chrisL (Member # 97) on 24 February, 2003 06:12 AM:
replace it LS1s are bottom breathers. That piece deflects air up to your radiator.
if you are in a cold area now, shouldnt be a big issue.
keep an eye on your coolant temp until you get it replaced.
Posted by RagSS (Member # 1127) on 24 February, 2003 06:44 AM:
...same comments as all the above, ...These cars are bottom breathers, ...without the deflector you will not get proper cooling. You should replace it.
Posted by Ray (Member # 1557) on 24 February, 2003 09:07 AM:
I did not remove the actual air deflector panel that hangs under the car. I still have this and yes, this directs wind up into the CAI duct. I'm talking about that plastic piece that you dremel (per SLP instructions) out a hole so the Stainless steel duct will "fit in". It's the peice that is attached to the front radiator on the lower corners and two rivits in the center-front connecting the other "peice of plastic". I know it's hard to explain.......
Please confirm you know which "air deflector panel" I'm referring too and you still say just replace it and dremel it again?
Please confirm.
Thanks Posted by MRZ28HO (Member # 1162) on 24 February, 2003 09:22 AM:
I know the piece you are talking about, no don't worry about it. The air deflector is needed though, but you have that in there still, that is good. The piece you are talking about is part of a two-piece system, which helps further divert the air coming up to the radiator, but to your air cleaner assembly from beneath.
[ 24. February 2003, 09:22 AM: Message edited by: MRZ28HO ]
Posted by Ray (Member # 1557) on 24 February, 2003 09:59 AM:
I accidentially ripped the top off the plastic as I pulled and tugged on it angerly trying to pull on it. I broke the top peice off - accidentially. I still dremeled it per SLP instructions to see if it would still work and it did fit inside but on top on either side of the new stainless steel duct, BUT, it does not loop or hook over the radiator- at the top area. There is an opening now on each side of the air lid. This is where air coming from under the car could go into the engine bay. The CAI steel duct is fine...... is this a problem?
Posted by Ray (Member # 1557) on 24 February, 2003 11:28 PM:
I know many of you here are very knowledgable about F-Bodies. I would appreciate if I could get more responses to my problem.
I did not re-install my air deflector panel after I put in the SLP CAI, is this okay or not?
Thank you very much.
Posted by GregP (Member # 1558) on 25 February, 2003 12:51 AM:
Hi Ray,
After you do the cold air induction, the air deflector panel needs to go in. Actually, the cold air box connects to the sir deflector panel. It sits in front of the radiator and attaches to the center of the cold air box.
The part you cut sits inside the engine compartment and is horizontal about the height of the top of the radiator. No bid deal here as long as it seals. If not, then get another one and make sure it seals. Leaks aren't a big problem as long as the leask is BEFORE the air filter, but they DO render ths cold air induction useless.
In reality, it conly comes into play at speed anyway. If you Dyno your car, the cold air won't add anything since there is no air velocity working for you ... your car is not moving on a Dyno. At 90 mph on a track, though, it'll work ... want to prove it? Do a track day without the cold air and then with. Then you know ... assuming you drive consistently enough to attribute any differences to the cold air induction, that is.
Posted by GregP (Member # 1558) on 25 February, 2003 12:53 AM:
Do I need to spell check or what?
Posted by DaddySS (Member # 848) on 25 February, 2003 04:15 AM:
Ray; the three pieces work together to deflect air up and at your radiator (and now your cai). We realize it is not the lower air dam that you left off, but I would suggest that the other two pieces direct air back toward the radiator and into your cai so you would be better off replacing it. Will it be a problem if you don't? Probably not. But since they are inexpensive and easy to replace, why risk it and worry about it? Posted by ChuckSSter (Member # 1800) on 25 February, 2003 09:49 AM:
Ray The piece your talking about is very cheap $20 or so , at that price I would just get a new one . As Greg said all the parts work together . Just replace the part you broke, you spent the big money on the CAI so why not spend 20 to make it right . Just my .02
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