Improved Touring: Air Dam ?

D

darrinV

New member
So, I just purchased a 240Z to get into ITS. No rants about competitiveness vs other cars please. When I can drive the wheels off it, I'll consider moving to something more expensive.

Anyway, I want to add a more efficient air dam. I've been going over the GCR on this, and it seems contradictory to me. 17.1.4 (ITS) .8.b says "A front spoiler/air dam is permitted". bal bla bla Then it goes on to say "Dealer installed or limited production front/rear spoliers/air dams/wings are prohibited".

So, I can change the air dam, as long as it's original OEM equipment ????

Thanks
darrinV
 
Any FRONT air dam is fine (provided it does not extend forward beyond the bumper, etc.)

That "dealer installed" lingo is effectively limited to a REAR spoiler.

Cheers.
 
Originally posted by darrinV@Nov 16 2005, 01:40 PM
So, I can change the air dam, as long as it's original OEM equipment ????
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Negative. Aftermarket/custom air dams are legal.

The "dealer installed or limited production" verbiage you're referring to is to keep folks from adding aero stuff to their car that would otherwise be illegal to the IT rules. Ideas off the top of my head include duckbills, deck spoilers, side skirts, a-pillar diverters, etc. Air dams, on the other hand, are governed by the specific verbiage that allows them. - GA
 
Originally posted by GregAmy@Nov 16 2005, 03:02 PM
Negative. Aftermarket/custom air dams are legal.

The "dealer installed or limited production" verbiage you're referring to is to keep folks from adding aero stuff to their car that would otherwise be illegal to the IT rules. Ideas off the top of my head include duckbills, deck spoilers, side skirts, a-pillar diverters, etc. Air dams, on the other hand, are governed by the specific verbiage that allows them. - GA
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NICE. The aftermarket air dam I'm looking at seems to cover the metal front bumper. GCR says "Integrated bumper assemblies" are Ok, so that should pass spec.

New air dam, a couple of aerodynamic headlight covers and I'll be good to go.

Thanks
D
 
Well, hold on there a second, partner. While aftermarket/custom air dams are allowed, you still have to meet the remaining restrictions.

"Integrated bumper assemblies" refer to cars that came that way from the factory; it in no way allows you to create one if you never had it. More clearly, the rule states that an airdam shall not protrude outside of the body outline, specifically excluding bumpers or bumper mounts.

Thus, your described spoiler - one that covers the metal bumper - would NOT be legal to the ITCS. - GA
 
No Free Lunch in ITS it seems. It does protrude beyond the body and replace the bumper. Truly an SCCA illegal aftermatket piece of kit.

Hmmmm. Time to consider custom fiberglass air dam molds.

Thanks again
Darrin
 
Originally posted by darrinV@Nov 16 2005, 02:22 PM
Hmmmm.  Time to consider custom fiberglass air dam molds.
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There are some good 240Z airdams out there (commercially), but it takes some hunting. The 240Z was one of the cars I was considering before I found the 944.
 
Originally posted by darrinV@Nov 16 2005, 04:34 PM
..... a couple of aerodynamic headlight covers and I'll be good to go.

Thanks
D
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Let's not forget this little tidbit, also illegal. ;)
 
Originally posted by Chris Wire@Nov 16 2005, 10:14 PM
Let's not forget this little tidbit, also illegal. ;)
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Ugh! Will the madness ever end? :bash_1_: Ok, so NO headlight covers and a LEGAL air dam with better performance than the urethane version.

The quest goes on .....
 
Originally posted by darrinV@Nov 16 2005, 11:47 PM
Ugh!  Will the madness ever end?  :bash_1_:  Ok, so NO headlight covers and a LEGAL air dam with better performance than the urethane version.

The quest goes on .....
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Dealer installed items are not considered stock. Think of it like that and you won't have a problem.

Contact some other Z owners for some tips.

AB
 
If the pictures are of yuor car and thats the airdam in question, I think you culd modify it and use it, provided that, once you cut the part that wraps the metal bumper off, the resulting unit is with in the outline of the body.

Of course, thats a bunch of work, and it's not unlikely that ....this being racing...the air dam MAY see a little abuse.

I would want one easily replaced...;)

Welcome to the madness!
 
Darrin, give me a call (919-286-8011). I've got a 260z, can help you with spoiler choices. As others have said, there are a lot of good, legal options out there.

NOW, riddle me this guys. GCR says you can cut two holes for a SINGLE 3" duct right? Most Zs I see run at least 4 ducts, 2 to the rotors and 2 to the calipers. Is this ok under the "brakes may be ventilated rule?"

I've always wondered about this. If you see the pictures of Chet Wittel's orange Z that won the ARRC a couple of years back, it looks to me like he has 4 ducts. My Z came with 4 ducts, and I'd like to get them, but wonder about the legality of it.....
 
I believe air ducts are open...just the size of the holes you cut into the bumber are not. If there are existing areas to draw air for the ducts you should be able to use them.
 
Evan, I hope you are right.

I guess I am puzzled though by the reference to the ability to cut the hole for a SINGLE 3" air duct hose on either side.

There are some out there who think more than 2 ducts are illegal, and honestly, I think I see their point.
 
I think they are trying to keep people from building a nice ram air set up and calling it brake ducts....when I first started racing the z i had brake problems at sebring short course (old chicane etc) so I went to home depot and had the ugliest brake ducts ever...those ones in particular were not legal as they stuck out about 4 inches in front of the car. someone pointed out that they were too far out and i told them they were temp and everything was fine.
 
Originally posted by JLawton@Nov 20 2005, 06:16 AM
Check this one out!

http://itforum.improvedtouring.com/forums/...?showtopic=6455

As Jake said, you may not want to spend a lot of money on it because there's a good chance it's going to get ripped off........

Also, make sure it clears your trailer ramps or is easy to remove.
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I can vouch for that one. It lasted all year until the last event when "someone" decided a cone needed to be moved. :023:

Marcus, who paddocks with Tom...
 
Darrin... I've been running a Z Car for a few years. I use the Urethane air dam that Racer Tim gave the link to. The fiberglass would have had to be replaced many times over as every time you go for an off track excursion you hit it. I had a hard crash at Lowe's Motor Speedway a few years ago. The car was totalled but the urethane air dam popped right back to shape!

The guys are right about the air dam pictured on your car. The bumper cover is illegal.

Steve Parrish
1970 240Z

ps That's a beautiful car! Good luck with it and feel free to ask for tech help!
 
Originally posted by Parrish57@Nov 20 2005, 10:55 AM
Darrin...  I've been running a Z Car for a few years.  I use the Urethane air dam that Racer Tim gave the link to.  The fiberglass would have had to be replaced many times over as every time you go for an off track excursion you hit it.  I had a hard crash at Lowe's Motor Speedway a few years ago.  The car was totalled but the urethane air dam popped right back to shape!

The guys are right about the air dam pictured on your car.  The bumper cover is illegal.

Steve Parrish
1970 240Z

ps That's a beautiful car! Good luck with it and feel free to ask for tech help!
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Great info guys. It's actually not on my car. That's a stock photo from MSA. The urethane air dams definitely sound more survivable. I'm looking at ways to make it more aerodynamicaly efficient.

I made the decision this week and bought a 240Z set up for ITS. (photo attached) Can't wait to get it on the track!

Darrin
 
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