Air dam material?

I'm thinking I'd like to build an air dam for my Chevy Astro to see if I can improve the highway mileage. What material would be a good one? It needs to be flexible enough to curve at the ends, but rigid enough not to bend back at highway speeds. What sort of hardware store stuff have any of you guys used before?

I have seen some nice looking units (air dams) on older S-10s in the J-yard they seem to be durable from what I can see. Or just use some hard rubber or plastic that will bend some.

Paul B

LOL. After posting here I went and Googled for "air dam material" and it links me to a two year old thread on this board. It's a good read, too !

Garden liner. I used a strip of aluminum to brace mine and it was quite durable.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/cheap-front-air-dam-material/16210/page1/

you mean this link?

aussiesmg wrote: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/cheap-front-air-dam-material/16210/page1/ you mean this link?

Yep. That's the one.

if you have a 2wd model, then there is an easy bolt on solution- the AWD Astros had an air dam on them that went about 4" below the front bumper.. plug the holes for the fog lights with some plastic and there you go.

the spoiler on the $2011 ScAries was sturdy looking and nicely built...I haven't checked the build thread to see if they fabbed it themselves....if they did, copy that echnique

alternately, use MDF and fiberglass

I have used PVC plastic trim as used as a replacement for wood. I find the 3/8 X 8 inch X 8 ft works nicely as air dam materal. You can heat it with a hot air gun and bend it to shape. I get it at Menards. Only comes in white but can be painted. It does come with wood grain on one side but is smooth on the other.

novaderrik wrote: if you have a 2wd model, then there is an easy bolt on solution- the AWD Astros had an air dam on them that went about 4" below the front bumper.. plug the holes for the fog lights with some plastic and there you go.

This I didn't know. I'll have to keep and eye out in the junkyard next visit. Mine is a 2wd.