Air Deflector plate(s).. what do they do?

[Jeff K]

Air Deflector plate (left and Right side) .. what does it do?

I'm guessing under-body aero -

Would these channel air and effect cooling too?

Are they necessary or recommended?

Thanks
Jeff

Air Deflector Plate at dmc.com (https://store.delorean.com/p-9738-air-defl-plate-lh.aspx)

[NightFlyer]

Many owners go without on their cars. As to whether or not any differences were experienced, an owner just recently reported on such being negligible at best.

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?10400-Air-deflection-plates-%28DIY-anyone-%29&p=153561&viewfull=1#post153561

While I've never seen anything confirmed pertaining to their purpose/function, I have seen many theories of their operation, the most popular of which are:

1) TA shield;
2) aerodynamics;
3) deflect cool air into the engine bay.

[Stainless]

I would also refer you to this old thread:

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?1341-Anybody-that-still-runs-dustshields-on-their-D-is-a-GOSHDARN-COMMIE&highlight=commie

[NightFlyer]

I would also refer you to this old thread:

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?1341-Anybody-that-still-runs-dustshields-on-their-D-is-a-GOSHDARN-COMMIE&highlight=commie

Good thing the admins/mods of this forum 'put the lid on that trash can' and closed the thread, otherwise I fear that had it been allowed to continue and eventually die off of its own volition, it probably would have irreparably harmed our community. :rolleyes:

[Stainless]

Good thing the admins/mods of this forum 'put the lid on that trash can' and closed the thread, otherwise I fear that had it been allowed to continue and eventually die off of its own volition, it probably would have irreparably harmed our community. :rolleyes:

I'm surprised big brother allowed it to last 24 hours :)

[djdogbone]

Being a former vintage VW owner, (1958 rag top), any air deflection deflection to the engine bay of an air cooled engine is a good thing. Mine are still entached.

[Tillsy]

You'll want to have them if you install the hover conversion system next year - the turbulence from not having the shields will create drag that will put upward pressure on the rear when at high altitude, or worse yet make landing quite dangerous in high winds.

[Michael]

Good thing the admins/mods of this forum 'put the lid on that trash can' and closed the thread, otherwise I fear that had it been allowed to continue and eventually die off of its own volition, it probably would have irreparably harmed our community. :rolleyes:

Why the Hell was that thread closed? What rule was being broken? It was a civil discussion of a Delorean part and its use. Tell me please moderation members, pm me if you like but tell me why you chose to close that thread? Was Bush a trailing shield guy or was this a religious thing? I really don't remember reading any passages about Jesus and the T/A shield. Was it in the book of John perhaps?

[DMCMW Dave]

Why the Hell was that thread closed? ?

I don't normally jump in on this sort of thing but really - it was closed 3 years ago by a moderator no longer on the list. Why stir that pot now?

[Michael]

I don't normally jump in on this sort of thing but really - it was closed 3 years ago by a moderator no longer on the list. Why stir that pot now?

Is questioning the moderation by asking a (legitimate) question stirring the pot? I also didn't realize trailing arm shields were taboo here.

[DMCMW Dave]

Is questioning the moderation by asking a (legitimate) question stirring the pot? I also didn't realize trailing arm shields were taboo here.

No, I was just referring to bringing up old moderator behavior from a non-existent moderator from 3 years ago. Trailing arm shields are certainly nothing to avoid discussing.

On that note - we install them unless they are missing on the car when it comes in. I can't say that I've seen a convincing mechanical reason either way though. It's probable that it keeps the engine bay slightly cleaner but I can't say I've tested the theory.

[Michael]

Well for what it's worth I didn't realize the thread was that old.

I never had them on my car, I have heard/read that they help cool the engine, keep it clean, improve aerodynamics (did theyeven have wind tunnels Iin 1976?) But my thinking is they acted like bellypans. I think they were to keep water spray off the alternator, engine, exhaust (steam anyone?) Belts, and so on. ...which may sound good if they actually covered back that far.

That is if you are one of "those" people who drive theirs in the rain.:tongue:

[NightFlyer]

I don't normally jump in on this sort of thing but really - it was closed 3 years ago by a moderator no longer on the list. Why stir that pot now?

Not that it matters, but for the sake of accuracy, Sean is still listed as both an admin and a mod, and his last post to the forum was just a few weeks ago on August 9.

As far as unjustified thread closings go, just because the moderation has changed, doesn't exactly mean that such a practice is completely a thing of the past around here, though it has admittedly gotten much better with the change up:

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?9166-Front-brake-ugrade-kit
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?10044-Doc-brown
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?9760-Videobob-s-Time-Machine-16-For-Adam-Kontras-in-Hollywood/page28
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?9431-Flux-Capacitor-USB-car-charger-by-Think-Geek
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?6169-Looks-like-VideoBob-s-TV-show-car-is-up-for-sale
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?9469-A-Moderator-Called-Me-An-Asshole-Thread-Locked-So-I-Can-t-Respond
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?9290-Talk-Today-Anchor-Man-Style-Street-Fight!!

[NightFlyer]

Of course, I've always run mine on the car, thus I have no basis of comparison to provide. The only owner that I'm aware of that even attempted to make any kind of comparison was the guy that I linked to in my first post on this thread, who stated that any noticed differences were negligible at best.

[David T]

The shields are on the car probably for a couple of reasons. One of the more important ones it to probably keep rocks, snow, ice, and dirt from getting stuck in the trailing arms and jamming them up. Also to keep water away from the alternator. If you only drive the car in nice weather on paved roads they are probably unnecessary.