Chin Spoiler and Fender Flare Ideas For 70 Firebird

[70fireturd]

I was thinking about making a custom chin spoiler and fender flares for my 70 firebird. Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with original flares and spoiler, I was just thinking about doing something different. I was wondering if anyone has tried this yet on a early second gen firebird or possibly have some pics. I was thinking a play off the 2011 firebird concept but not so big.
Like this

http://image.highperformancepontiac.com/f/18446419+w750+st0/hppp_0908_01_z+2011_pontiac_trans_am+front_view.jp g

As long as it doesn't turn out like this I should be fine

http://media.egotvonline.com/files/2009/11/body-kit.jpg

Let me know what you guys think. I will most likely try to find a chin spoiler from a car with a similar width as the firebird and cut it to fit.

[justasquid]

Personally, I think you'd be hard pressed to improve upon the factory style trans am spoilers. Of course, the 70-73 TA is one of my all time favorite cars.

Having said that. If you are into wanting custom making your own. I would start with a set of factory ones, then modify those to your liking. A little personal touch, without destroying the factory look would be the best here in my opinion.

Also, don't forget about the 79-81 style. they are much larger and may be more along the lines of what your after for a start point.

[NOT A TA]

I've been playing with different designs for a couple years on and off. 2 different designs which may also require changes to the rear of the car.. One for road race tracks with a splitter to increase downforce and one to reduce drag for the land speed races. Both are mostly designed with aerodynamics in mind rather than aesthetics. My car is very stable at 150 at the Land speed races but to continue increasing top speed (gonna try to hit 200 MPH) I know I'll need to reduce the amount of air going under the car to keep it as stable as it is now. Once I finalize designs and build them I hope to go to the wind tunnel for testing so I don't kill myself. LOL

The problem is that in order to function most effectivly for the road race track application the leading edge of the splitter should be beyond the front of the bumper. Also the splitter should be strong enough to stand on. Then the splitter should continue under the car. I figured I'd end the splitter at the crossmember under the engine so I'd have a solid attachment point.

For the Land Speed application it can be more of a dam to push air to the sides the car as well as over it. less downforce = more speed.

There are currently a couple builds going on with custom front spoilers. I think I saw the build threads on them over at Lat-G.

If you're looking to do something thats a bit more aesthetic and yet still somewhat functional you could do something like the mock up shown in the pic below. I was just using aluminum sheet to quickly try different lengths of spoiler extension and splitter protrusion and thickness to get some rough measurements. This is not the road race or Land Speed design, just something I was playing with. Anything that extends the spoiler or incorporates a splitter will require struts up to the splash pan or some other way of reinforcement. The stock spoiler gets deformed and bends straight down at 150 MPH where the stickers are on mine. Unfortunately all of the recent designs and other pics I'd been working on were lost twice when computers were stolen.

Keep in mind that the stock spoilers etc do work and the car drops at speed so don't make the spoiler too low. I saw a Ford GT rip off a splitter at about 190 MPH at a Land Speed race. Not pretty! From pics of my car on track, it appears to drop over an inch at 80-90 MPH with Hotchkis springs.

Edit: Just so anyone looking at the pics knows. There's a heavy duty fabricated brace behind the splash pan that connects to the frame rails for that tow hook. It's not just decoration.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/Firebird001-1.jpg

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/Firebird002-1.jpg

[70fireturd]

I will most likely find a OEM one and leave it the way it comes. The more I research it the more it seems not worth making. Especially because I like the look of the original.

[aronhk_md]

Hey John, saw this thread....I too am looking to do something custom for front spoiler, but I think I'm going to redesign the front valance too and eliminate the large holes in it. I dont really have a radiator core support, and I'm assembling a tilt front end for the Beast, so I think the valance/front spoiler assembly is going to be steel, attached to the front subrame, and then the front tilt body attached to it. Also considering a partial belly pan to run from the lip of the front spoiler back as far as the K frame.

[NOT A TA]

I've been researching aerodynamics the past few years and intend on making some things. I still have plans of making a removable spoiler extension and splitter similar (in design) to the one mocked up above with the splitter extending under the engine. I'd probably just use it for road track days and the land speed racing events and leave it off the rest of the time. It will be for high speed function not looks. I also plan on modifying the splash pan, however I'm going to increase the size of the lower openings a bit. I partially blocked the lower openings with the tow hook support that ties the framerails together and I have a couple other reasons for wanting the larger pan openings. I already have an extra splash pan to play with and the sheetmetal for other stuff has been sitting in the garage, other projects have priority right now.

[aronhk_md]

Yes, I have seen the dash panel you made for Ty's car, and I dont doubt you can do just as you say...lol. I am good fabricating things in general, but still fairly new to welding. I have a mig, but need a bottle/reg for it. Would love to have a tig, but thats gonna have to wait. I have a fairly basic understanding of aerodynamics from my interest in aircraft and my study of physics, etc. I want to limit air entering the engine compartment and going under the front end, exhaust air from there effectively, and provide some downforce on the front end. All doable in my opinion with a bit of work. If I can get something made up this winter I'll of course post it...probably in my car build thread.