Indy style chin spoiler installation
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Warwick Rhode Island
Indy style chin spoiler installation
How hard is it to install the 3 piece Indy style chin spoiler? I noticed that a lot of cars have them installed with a single fastener on the fender flare/lip (to hold down that end of the spoiler). I'm trying to avoid that. Is there a way to secure that portion of the spoiler without having to have that fastener showing? What about the single piece chin spoilers? Do they have any fasteners showing?
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville Alabama
i have the one piece spoiler i used self tapping screws where that tab is. I would not worry about seeing bolts or screws. The one piece fiberglass spoiler backside is rough and you can see it. Its not hard to install maybe 30 minutes at the most as long as the wholes line up.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,374
Likes: 224
From: Beecher Illinois
The factory spoiler on the 78 Pace Cars did not have the exposed screw at the fender lip, it used a molded in stud only. Apparently in 79 they found it helpfull to add the screw. Maybe some 79s came with the just the stud, but my May production one has the screws, too.
Try looking for a nice used set on ebay without the screw hole, maybe.
Installation of the 3 piece should be pretty straight forward. The center section simply replaces the stock abs plastic one that should be there now. The end pieces get lined up and need a few holes drilled.
Both the 78 and 79 AIM shows some details.
edit.... 79 also had the molded stud but as has been mentioned the screw was probably added to tighten things up.
Clarified my post for any future reference.
Try looking for a nice used set on ebay without the screw hole, maybe.
Installation of the 3 piece should be pretty straight forward. The center section simply replaces the stock abs plastic one that should be there now. The end pieces get lined up and need a few holes drilled.
Both the 78 and 79 AIM shows some details.
edit.... 79 also had the molded stud but as has been mentioned the screw was probably added to tighten things up.
Clarified my post for any future reference.
Last edited by KapsSA; Mar 30, 2008 at 12:26 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 5
From: Schererville IN
I installed a new 3 piece Urethane Indy spoiler last fall. It has the molded in studs so that no screw is needed at the top. The problem with the design is the stud is about 4 inches from the top so the spoiler has a tendancy to pull away from the body at the tip by the tire. I believe the screws that you see have been added by owners to help hold the spoiler down. I'm sure the factory did not do it that way. I did have to trim the spoiler a bit for everything to line up, but it was pretty straight forward. Took about an hour to install and cost about $230. In my opinion, it also made the front of the car stick better at highway speeds. Some say it really helps with cooling also, but I noticed no difference on temps. 
Last edited by blckslvr79; Mar 27, 2008 at 01:37 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 5
From: Schererville IN
Food for thought...
I also went with the Urethane because it's very flexible. I talked with more than a few one piece fiberglass owners that said they've hit curbs or parking stops and broke theirs more than once.
I also went with the Urethane because it's very flexible. I talked with more than a few one piece fiberglass owners that said they've hit curbs or parking stops and broke theirs more than once.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
I've got the fiberglass one piece. To be honest, I've never noticed the bolts attaching it to the fender and I spend a lot ot time looking the car over in the garage (it's hard not to admire a C3 when you walk by) 
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
IMHO, a nice tight fit with the screw (use stainless) looks better than going sans screw with an unsightly gap. And, you can always color match it rather than leaving it bright. My $.02
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,374
Likes: 224
From: Beecher Illinois
It has the molded in studs so that no screw is needed at the top. The problem with the design is the stud is about 4 inches from the top so the spoiler has a tendancy to pull away from the body at the tip by the tire. I believe the screws that you see have been added by owners to help hold the spoiler down. I'm sure the factory did not do it that way.
The 79 with the factory(actually they were dealer installed to prevent shipper damage)also does have the stud in addition to the screw in the very end of the fender piece. This is a spoiler that has not been off the car(11K mile original).
According to the 78-79 NCRS judging manual, 78s don't use the screw while 79s do.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 5
From: Schererville IN
Took a closer look at my 2 pace car spoiler equipted Vettes. The 78 Pace Car has the molded in studs as has been said, but there IS a gap at the end on one side.
The 79 with the factory(actually they were dealer installed to prevent shipper damage)also does have the stud in addition to the screw in the very end of the fender piece. This is a spoiler that has not been off the car(11K mile original).
According to the 78-79 NCRS judging manual, 78s don't use the screw while 79s do.
The 79 with the factory(actually they were dealer installed to prevent shipper damage)also does have the stud in addition to the screw in the very end of the fender piece. This is a spoiler that has not been off the car(11K mile original).
According to the 78-79 NCRS judging manual, 78s don't use the screw while 79s do.
Good info! Looks the General needed a cheap fix.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Pensacola Fla
Wow,somethings you don't pay attention to!That is what is good about this site always something to learn.My 79 was dealer installed,has stud and the screw on the upper edge @ the wheelwell and hole is a molded/factory made.I never paid attention to the earlier installations always thought they were all the same.On the factory spoiler right out of the dealership I had a lot of problems with the center section waving at other cars while @ speed and causing wear damage at the center leading edge from rubbing on the road.Repaired and saved original section and replaced center with a fiberglass section.Later Geno
