Custom Chevelle Air Dam Help

[71beast]

Hi everyone, long time follower of the forum, and have gotten tones of ideas and help from other posts, but I finally have a question that I hope someone here can help me with. Long story short, I have a 1971 chevelle that I have slowly been making her handle as well as she should for having the amount of power she made, but I've noticed that even though she's been lowered there is still a ton of air that enters from under the front and causes front end lift. I can't stand it. So, I've been looking at making my own air dam, that is functional and looks good, so that it's not really out of place looking. In my quest to find info and see what people do I came across Iwan Customs, but it's only for 69 chevelles, and I've sent them like 3 messages to see if they could make it so that it can fit a 7, but I get no response.

I figure to block air from going under the car or being directed into the radiator, a la spoilers by randy, it needs to mount to the bumper, not farther back. I'm also going to add one of the undercover innovations radiator block out panel to direct the air in, and prevent it from lifting up on the hood. Before I start to make my own over the winter, any idea if anyone has something similar or know of anyone that could make one without costing an arm and a leg.

Btw, here's what it looks like:

If I need to make one I'm going to have to figure out how to make a mold correctly and then order some carbon fiber or fiberglass to make it, as my original plan was to do it out of metal, but didn't like that idea in the end. Any good places to look for working with either material? I found a few books I might pickup, but could use as much info/help as possible.



Sorry for writing so much and babbling. But I want to say thanks in advance for any suggestions and help.

[71beast]

Anyone? Bueller?

[astroracer]

Any side shots? How far is the car lowered? It still looks pretty tall in the front pic so that is why I am asking...

[71beast]

I think they have some on their site. I'll look and post any. I'll post some pics of my car besides the one in as my avatar. My car is fairly low, about 4-5", in fact I have a low profile jack to get under the frame, because a normal jack won't fit. The problem is the 71 Chevelle's front bumper is higher than that, but not sure of the measurement, can try taking some on mine.

[71beast]

So here are some more pictures of the Iwan Spoiler.





Here are a few of my Chevelle. I figure that I would have the spoiler wrap around a little and attach to the bottom of the fender, where the fender brace is attached.

[badbu68]

It looks like on that 69 they took a camaro air dam and added to the sides. The camaro repro air dams are cheap enough to play with.

[jlcustomz]

As far as fiberglass materials, I usually get from either a production fiberglass product shop or some boat supply places.I have both in my area & the resin itself is much cheaper & fresher than from a body shop or hardware stores. There are many different methods to make something from fiberglass. When making a mold , more time spent on the mold quality can mean less bodywork time on the final part, but for 1 part only I won't spend the time to go for a perfect mold. For the shape you're posting, you could make a decent form from wood to make a mold from. you will also need to figure how to mount, this area could be made separately.

Also ,there is the fleece fabrication method. You start out streatching out fleece over a frame to shape wanted,wet it with resin, lay fiberglass matt & resin over it for strength & then have to completely bodywork into shape. This is done for speakerbox & interior work all the time.

google powerblock tv. Trucks show did a fleece modified bumper on the ranger project. Musclecar show did a ford lift off fiberglass hood, making a top notch mold off modifying the old hood.

I could make a spoiler like you want hammerforming & tig welding aluminum sheet, but glass is easier for most to work with.

F

[71beast]

I think I actually recorded that episode from powerblock, but I'll check it out. I just bought some books on working with composite like carbon fiber and fiberglass, but its good to find out where you can get good materials for a cheap. Thanks F for the offer, I think maybe I'll give fiberglass or carbon fiber first.

I just wonder how affective this is going to be, or if there would be a better design that looks as good, really don't want to ruin the look of the car. So I want to make sure that the air is directed around the car, and blocked it from going underneath the car, while being able look good, be sorta non invasive like the Camaro spoiler. I'm really tired of having the front feel like its barely on the ground at high speeds, I just need to make sure that if I make this, put all the time in I can stop some of the front end lift.

All I've really seen on Chevelle's look like an afterthought or ones that I think try to make the car look more modern like the roadster shops 70 Chevelle. Although, I feel like the roadster shops is close to what I'm looking for, but can't figure out if my problem is that since it's body colored that's why I don't like it and think its more modern looking, but if it were black would be do what I'm trying to.





No Disrespect to either of these cars, they are real badass, just not what I'm going for.

I figure I want it to mount it under the bumper to the bumper bolts, and have a wrap up and tie in under the fender braces. Here's how theirs mounts to the bumper:



Any suggestions on some designs that aerodynamically work, and look good for this body style?

[jlcustomz]

the last 2 pics are just sheetmetal, Idon't like the first at all, the 2nd isn't bad. I think your first pic is a good design choice. One option for this or other designs is a small set of adjuster bars, I guess you may call them.
Another option could be to cut a few pcs of 1/4" aluminum or even 3/8 to 1/2" plastic. this option could be bolted together with small (#10) stainless allen head cap screws. Take a close look at the diamond plate spoiler I made as a temporary replacement for a smooth air dam I destroyed. While the overall shape is not what you want, a small bolt in center section similar to this one could be an option worth considering making from smooth sheet aluminum. the outside edges could slip behind & bolt to the centers.
Just giving easier options. PS, not sure how that F got at the end of my last post??? , Joe.

[71beast]

Oh man joe that looks really good, and that's an interesting way to do it that I didn't think of. Since it looks like in going to be making it myself, I'm trying to get a good design going that's functional and looks good, so I've been reading a lot about aero, even picked up a book on race car aero, hopefully it will help.i want to make sure that it doesn't look out of place too, ya know what I mean? I know it's going to be black and smooth when it's done, got to figure out the height, shape, and make it look like it came from the factory. So much work, so little time. Lol

[csouth]

You definitely need to get the angle of the spoiler close to Roadster Shop or whats pictured above by JLcutomz for it to look right in a wrap around. Although you don't want it ti look like an "after thought", I think it will unless you match the color to the body. The spoiler will defintely stand out as the blue and the black come together IMO.

[Yelcamino]

I'm really tired of having the front feel like its barely on the ground at high speeds, I just need to make sure that if I make this, put all the time in I can stop some of the front end lift.

If you're having a "floating" feeling at high speed, in addition to the aero of your car, your suspension could also be contributing to the affect. Have you done anything in that area?

No Disrespect to either of these cars, they are real badass, just not what I'm going for.

No problem. I know my front air dam isn't for everyone. Crude looking, yes, but it was effective enough to help me run 163.5 mph at the Maxton Mile. I've since changed the air dam to this...



Again, I'm sure it's not for everyone, but it works.

Any suggestions on some designs that aerodynamically work, and look good for this body style?

Have you checked out this thread on aero?

[jlcustomz]

Thanks,71beast. I gave that diamond plate spoiler to a friend that bought my old custom nose & tilt hood (now have 2010 Camaro nose). The diamond plate material was partly done based on a joke, but I never managed to hear the insults I expected on it. Sorry I don't have a pic of the smooth version I first made.

Anyways, both versions are made from .063 aluminum, completely handbent with a 3/4" flange along the bottom edges. to bend the cornors,I actually tapped a 3" stiff puttyknife with a hammer against the metal (strategically) with it laying on a few layers of carpet. Sort of a sandbag/ teardrop hammer type of effect. No fancy tools needed ,just a little skill. The part you see attached to a simple aluminum angle frame which attached to radiator core support the g-body has. The original smooth version had flat 3/8" lexan between the center & ends. Used closed cell foam tape to pad the fender from the aluminum. Pretty simple huh.
On shape, I think that a large flat air dam just moves the air around the car while an angled design works as a downforce wing.
Herb, no disrespect meant to the flat spoiler, they do the intended job.

[Yelcamino]

Herb, no disrespect meant to the flat spoiler, they do the intended job.

No worries, all's well! My main goal with the air dam was to keep as much air out from under the car as possible. As for looks, the square shape of the early Chevelle doesn't help when designing aero!

[Munssey]

If you're feeling in the mood to learn and accept a little time\ maybe a few attempts at it, I say give it a try! If space, tools and time are at a minimum then I think finding someone to do a one-off (or work with them to R&D something that could be reproduced in a small number) would be the way to go.

Takes some skill on body work but nothing that can't be learned.

Heres a quickie show and tell on how i did the very first spoiler a ways back (consider it inspiration)








Hope that helps get your juices flowing! Have more questions, PM me and I'll be happy to answer them.

[71beast]

If you're having a "floating" feeling at high speed, in addition to the aero of your car, your suspension could also be contributing to the affect. Have you done anything in that area?

Yea, my whole suspension was done last year, with the help of Mark from SC&C. I have SPC Uppers and Lowers, tall howe balljoints, SPC springs, single adjustable Varishocks, Hellwig protouring antiswaybars (rear is adjustable), outback I have UMI double adjustable uppers and tubular lowers with roto-joints. I also had rebuilt the front end using PST parts, and did the jeep cherokee steering box conversion.

I guess its hard to explain whats happening, but at normal low speeds the steering is nice and heavy, but once I get up to around 55+ it feels light, which is why I'm thinking its an aero issue. The floaty aspect is more like with the quick ratio box when I try to stay straight and do a small correction its more major, if that makes sense. I think it's also because its tight, rather then all loosey goosey like the original. With the original steering box it would still feel light at high speeds, but at low speeds it felt light too, and it was super sloppy.

Btw, I've loved your Chevelle for awhile, its one bad mother...... I actually think it fits the early Chevelle, and would totally do the same if mine was an early body style, my comment was more about if I put that on mine it would look just slapped on, ya know? This is why I'm having such a huge problem trying to figure out how to make mine fit my body, almost factory looking.

I found that post like two days ago, and had been reading it. Reading has me has me worried about making the aero worse.

BTW, hopefully I'll be able to catch you at 164mph when I'm done.

[71beast]

Thanks,71beast. I gave that diamond plate spoiler to a friend that bought my old custom nose & tilt hood (now have 2010 Camaro nose). The diamond plate material was partly done based on a joke, but I never managed to hear the insults I expected on it. Sorry I don't have a pic of the smooth version I first made.

Anyways, both versions are made from .063 aluminum, completely handbent with a 3/4" flange along the bottom edges. to bend the cornors,I actually tapped a 3" stiff puttyknife with a hammer against the metal (strategically) with it laying on a few layers of carpet. Sort of a sandbag/ teardrop hammer type of effect. No fancy tools needed ,just a little skill. The part you see attached to a simple aluminum angle frame which attached to radiator core support the g-body has. The original smooth version had flat 3/8" lexan between the center & ends. Used closed cell foam tape to pad the fender from the aluminum. Pretty simple huh.
On shape, I think that a large flat air dam just moves the air around the car while an angled design works as a downforce wing.
Herb, no disrespect meant to the flat spoiler, they do the intended job.

Nice, thanks for the idea of how i can go about. I saw your friends el camino with camaro front end. That's pretty crazy how you did that. Can you tell me the angle you used on your airdam, btw?

[71beast]

Wow, nice job man. Thanks for showing me how you did it. I've taken a few classes on body work, and I'm not half bad at it. I have plenty of time to get this done, I have till the spring to get this ironed out, so I can take as long as I need. Btw, I will definitely message you if I have any questions.

[jlcustomz]

I,d say the angle of my old spoiler was pretty near 45 degrees. You could just clamp a small scrap of metal a few inches wide to easily bend & determine the depth & angle you like.

The 2010 Camaro nose is mine currently, till I come up with the next creation, if there is another.

[71beast]

I,d say the angle of my old spoiler was pretty near 45 degrees. You could just clamp a small scrap of metal a few inches wide to easily bend & determine the depth & angle you like.

The 2010 Camaro nose is mine currently, till I come up with the next creation, if there is another.

Oh, I miss read your message. Amazing work, it looks like it was made for it.