Functional chin spoiler/air dam?
10-15-15, 09:32 AM
#1
Functional chin spoiler/air dam?
Converted my 79 SA to a drag car. The nose is lifting around 160mph and the steering becomes a little sketchy and "light" towards the end fo the 1/4 mile.
I looked around briefly and found several bumper/body kits that appear to be for "looks only". I was looking for a cheap/easy solution for some type of functional air dam up front. (I know cheap and easy don't usually go together). Just wondering if anyone has a made or found some sort of aftermarket "chin spoiler" that fits the SA bumper decently.
Similar to this...
I looked around briefly and found several bumper/body kits that appear to be for "looks only". I was looking for a cheap/easy solution for some type of functional air dam up front. (I know cheap and easy don't usually go together). Just wondering if anyone has a made or found some sort of aftermarket "chin spoiler" that fits the SA bumper decently.
Similar to this...
10-15-15, 11:18 AM
#3
Scott (trochoid) in St Joe has one for sale. 816-294-2539. He's a forum member but does not own a computer so you have to call him. I'm sure he would sell the airdam but it's self.
Kaminari body kit for 1st gen RX7
Kaminari body kit for 1st gen RX7
10-15-15, 11:18 AM
#4
84SE-EGI helpy-helperton
I'm not sure anybody else here in the 1st Gen section is having that kind of problem of nose lift at 160mph!
Seriously, though - I had 2 Kamei air dams and would be VERY surprised if they held up to 160mph wind velocity. The nose of the car has a significant lift coefficient due to the ramps which trap air under the front, and the Kamei helped at highway speeds and above, but was flimsy. The Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) would bow and flex easily in the center section, and after about 10-15k miles of driving, the flutter at speed fatigued the edges enough to cause cracks that eventually let go. This leaves both 'sides' of the airdam in place, but no center section. I wouldn't buy another one, based on that - and I had 2 of them over the years - and rarely got up above 100mph. Looked like this;
Since then, I've gone full Mariah fiberglass and it's rock solid - again at highway speeds. Now looksl like this:
Good luck,
Seriously, though - I had 2 Kamei air dams and would be VERY surprised if they held up to 160mph wind velocity. The nose of the car has a significant lift coefficient due to the ramps which trap air under the front, and the Kamei helped at highway speeds and above, but was flimsy. The Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) would bow and flex easily in the center section, and after about 10-15k miles of driving, the flutter at speed fatigued the edges enough to cause cracks that eventually let go. This leaves both 'sides' of the airdam in place, but no center section. I wouldn't buy another one, based on that - and I had 2 of them over the years - and rarely got up above 100mph. Looked like this;
Since then, I've gone full Mariah fiberglass and it's rock solid - again at highway speeds. Now looksl like this:
Good luck,
10-15-15, 01:16 PM
#5
like so...
Seems like the vettes would be rated to go at least 160 and they don't have massive supports or anything.
This thing looks promising...doubt it would hold up
Last edited by vxturboxv; 10-15-15 at 01:25 PM.
10-16-15, 08:25 AM
#7
Senior Member
This works pretty well on my car, the splitter is made of 6mm alumalite and lines up with the stock belly pan, the air dam is 1/8 inch racers plastic that you can get from a circle track supplier. As a bonus the rear spoiler was made out of left over Lexan from the rear windows.
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10-20-15, 10:02 AM
#10
Senior Member
I can send you the models for the tow hook/splitter brackets, I had them laser cut by a shop here in NC. It’s pretty nice, 2 dzus, and 2 pins and it slips right off for loading on the trailer. Make sure you use some sheet metal panels to keep any air that comes through the grill opening from going out the sides instead of through the oil cooler and radiator.
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