Steel tube frame from custom spoiler

[sgernon]

I'm thinking to build a custom metal front spoiler for my Camaro. I have seen people build steel tune frames and then cover it with sheetmetal which is what I am thinking to do. Question I could not find a answer to was what size tube is typically used for the frame and what guage metail (assume ~20 guage) to cover it with. Any help is appreciated.

Steve

[astroracer]

Do you have a design? Any size will work but 1/4" is easy to bend and 22ga would probably be heavy enough for the skin. It really depends on your design and how much forming is involved. I built the bumper/airdam for my truck with a number of different steels. Sheet steel, 1/2 round bar, 10ga. plate and two sizes of muffler tubing...

I built the drivers side out of cardboard then used that as the pattern for both sides.



If you have the tools it should be a simple job.
Mark

[sgernon]

I don't really have a good plan as of yet but I have need an inexpensive project over the next 2 weeks so I figured I would try. I saw that airdam on another post and liked it a lot. My car is a Gen 2 Camaro so I'm thinking close to factory styl but a little wider to cover the tires on the sides and a little lower with a flat lip onthe bottom. I'll try out the 1/4" to see how it is to work with then make a template out of cardboard. Should be fun.

Do you use 1/4 tube or round bar?

[Motorcitydak]

They did this on the powerblock on spike TV, one of the muscle car episodes. Tommy built it for the oldsmobile but i am not sure what episode it was. It was very helpful tho

[astroracer]

If you don't have a tubing bender you will have to use solid bar stock. Bending tubing by hand will just lead to kinks. Most of what you will be doing will be easier freehand anyway.
You could try using brake tubing but it isn't going to provide much support as it is too soft. For your initial design it would work well though. Bend up one side then use the pattern to make the "real" parts. Cardboard and hot glue guns are your friends...
Mark

[sgernon]

I spent a little time in the garage today trying to come up with a plan for the spoiler. I want something that both looks good and is functional on the track without being an issue on the street. Here are some pics of the test I made from posterboard. Any thought?

It has 4" of ground clearance, is that enough?

[Randy67]

We built the flares on my Camaro using steel rod and sheetmetal, worked out pretty good. I used 3/16" mild steel rod for the shape and used a tubing bender and a tire for the bends. Then used cardboard to get the shape for the sheetmetal. Worked out pretty good, nice and strong. Here is a couple picts to show them.

Wireframe


With sheetmetal