Air Dam
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 443
Likes: 0
From: Rexton New Brunswick
Air Dam
Hi folks
Here's another question for you. My car seems to float a bit at high speeds (90 to 100 mph). Would a bigger air dam or spoiler in front give me more positive steering? If I was to buy a spoiler and have it painted, is it a pita to intsall?
Thanks!
Here's another question for you. My car seems to float a bit at high speeds (90 to 100 mph). Would a bigger air dam or spoiler in front give me more positive steering? If I was to buy a spoiler and have it painted, is it a pita to intsall?
Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
A larger spoiler would create a bit more downforce on the nose. Steering may get better and cooling would probably improve a little, but how much 90-100 mph cruising do you do? At speed, the nose tends to lift on all C3s. The 80-82 noses are marginally better, but not optimum. Second consideration is under car clearance for the larger spoiler. Folks tend to whack them on things.
If you go with the install, I wouldn't go any bigger than the 78 Pace Car chin. 78-79 assembly instruction manual shows the installation.
If you go with the install, I wouldn't go any bigger than the 78 Pace Car chin. 78-79 assembly instruction manual shows the installation.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 668
Likes: 3
From: Platteville WI
My 76 air dam was missing so I just finished installing the stock piece with a 4" additional piece of aluminum. It is approx 5" off ground. Haven't driven the car much since installation. I simply painted it black. You really wouldn't know it was even there. I wouldn't expect it to help much with lift and a feeling of wandering or floating. I think that's just too much of a symptom of the overall body design. I'll post pix some time.
Jay
Jay
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
You could add an air dam and that would work, but you could also lower the front of the car and put a slight rake into it. I have a 76 with an 80 rear end (don't know how much this helps .... I originally did if for appearance years ago) and the front end is lowered so that the car sits at a rake. I've been up to 115-120 mph quite a few times on a road coarse with no noticable float to the car.
Either method should work, just go with the one that suites your taste the best.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 315
Likes: 5
From: Sheboygan Wisconsin
A larger spoiler would create a bit more downforce on the nose. Steering may get better and cooling would probably improve a little, but how much 90-100 mph cruising do you do? At speed, the nose tends to lift on all C3s. The 80-82 noses are marginally better, but not optimum. Second consideration is under car clearance for the larger spoiler. Folks tend to whack them on things.
If you go with the install, I wouldn't go any bigger than the 78 Pace Car chin. 78-79 assembly instruction manual shows the installation.
If you go with the install, I wouldn't go any bigger than the 78 Pace Car chin. 78-79 assembly instruction manual shows the installation.
Mike
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