Front spoiler as a cooling aid...

I deleted the thread but some of you might remember... A while back I put a front spoiler on my car and I just wasn't sure I liked it. The idea has merit, but that particular spoiler just isn't a great fit. Not bad, just not ideal. Enough of you agreed that I took it off...




(More pics here.)


Fast forward to mid-summer. In the hottest part of the day screaming down the interstate at 3,000 RPM with the air conditioner on, lately the car wants to run at 225-230. It will go back down to 205-210 with the air off, but damnit I worked hard to put air conditioning in my car and what good is it if I can't use it when I need it most? Completely unacceptable.

So I decided to see what would happen if I put the front spoiler back on. It made a huge difference. I'm talking 15-20 degrees, consistently. At 70 MPH, ~3000 RPM after standing on the throttle up the on ramp, 215 is the hottest it will get, then it will eventually stabilize at 210. That's not wonderful, but it's 96 degrees today with a 110 degree heat index. At 60 MPH and below it runs 205-210. Even at low speeds it works. If I'm moving it's helping. Turn the AC off and it will sit at 195. It's even made my AC more efficient and dropped my trans temp.

So the spoiler stays! Or does it? If I don't keep this particular one I'm still going to use something. It's impossible to argue against results like that; the thing is very functional.

Does it really look that funny? Does it detract from the look of my car, or no? Should I use a different, more Ford-ish spoiler? Y'all know what my car looks like and there are plenty of pics here. Which one should I use?

 

It just looks too small for some reason. It's weird though cause a camaro's valence looks proportional to a maverick one.

Check this out also:

aid in cooling...


Chin Spoilers

 

Frank just added a spoiler-ish item to his car a couple weeks back and he said the same thing. Significantly cooler running temps. And he is Georgia.

His was mounted back behind the valence forcing air up into the engine bay.

 

Yup, AID IN COOLING link is what I was referring to. he beat me to it.

 

only think i dont like about your chin spoiler is it's not long enough for me,besides that its awesome.

 

Personally, I love how it looks.
I'm weird like that though.

 

how has a chin spoiler i want to buy one now

 

Front Spoilers

I've run front spoilers (air dams) on three of our cars for the last 15 years and it makes a dramatic difference. The 408 Comet runs at 180 on hot day ( idles at 185 or so ) the 347 Comet runs a 180 after warm up , no higher , the 331 runs at 160 normally and if I sit at a stop for a long time idling the temp shoots up to 195 . When in motion the spoilers definitely "work" . I'd keep it on . Cometized

 

Spoiler

The spoiler looks fine to me. I don't see anything wrong w/ it frm what I can see from the pic.
Anyway, IMO I really don't care how my car looks to others,
I AM THE ONE WHO HAS TO BE SATISFIED.
My philosphy is function over form/cosmetics in that order.
If ur getting that kind of heat reduction that is what I wud be concerened with, not how it looks to JOHN-Q-PUBLIC.

I recently replaced my front springs w/ new stock ride height units. The one's that came off were not worn out - they had some coil material removed and rode like crap to me. I like the lowered look w/ the cut ones but love the ride w/ the stock ones. They work best for me - That is what's important to me, since Im the one riding in it and paying for it.

I wud leave the spoiler be --- might paint it same as car but that's it.

 

I've been running front spoilers since 1975. I like em! They work! Plus I think they look cool.
I had a real nice one custom made to fit my car. I'll call my buddy and see if he's up for making a batch of them. I know there are enough people wanting them to make it worth his while. I'll let you guys know what he says.

 

The main thing I don't like about it is the fit around the edges. If it fit better I'd probably just leave it... I've been looking at various other ones

65-66 Mustang
67-68 Mustang
69-70 Mustang
69 Camaro (The one I have is '67)

I know some people have used '69 Shelby spoiler, but I'm not crazy about the angle on that one. Does anyone have experience with any of the others I've listed?

 

...or there's that. If this happens any time soon I'll probably go for it.

 

Another old trick you could try is to somehow make an air pan behind the opening in the lower valance that will catch and deflect the push of air toward the radiator. Just some alum sheet would work. Think of it like an AC duct in your house.



Side view below bumper:

 

Another trick is to create a low pressure area behind the radiator so air can escape faster. Take a 3 inch wide piece of sheet metal or rubber belting or whatever and attach to the radiator support.

My mustang will run 15 degrees warmer without mine in place, factory on all sn-95's and maybe on foxes.

Its that piece that scraps when you hit a speed bump.

 

ive got a 69-70 boss unit on my car