Well as usual I can't leave well enough alone. :rolleyes: I am thinking about building a custom glass front spoiler for my 77. What I have in mind is positioning the spoiler forward of the original as close to the bumper as practical. I would like it to come straight down or angle forward slightly. Its overall height will be around 1 1/2" taller than stock with possibly a soft rubber extension that can rub over bumps and parking curbs. As I understand it, the stock spoiler acts as an air dam that forces higher pressure air up into the radiator. I am thinking that I can get equal or possibly more flow by using twin ducts that take air from the face of the spoiler and route it up to the radiator. Is there anyone that has experience with race spoilers or aero/fluid dynamics that can tell me if I am on the right track to making a spoiler that will actually work? I am looking for a custom look that isn't to far from stock with possibly a gain in cooling and/or performance. Since this is at the planning stage I welcome any ideas or comments. :seeya

 

It's hard to picture what your describing, if you get something drawn up, post it to give us a better idea. :thumbs:

 

Your description sounds like a NASCAR or C5-R type spoiler. Remember that those cars have EXTREMELY stiff front springs so that the spoiler stays in the same position relative to the pavement. Also the surfaces they drive on are much smoother and flatter than the streets you will be driving on. In other words, with front springs soft enough to drive with on city streets, you are likely to severely damage your new spoiler.
I've done basically what you are talking about by using a bolt on pace car spoiler. It has a forward facing lower lip that "scoops" up onrushing air and forces it upward. Since my front end is lowered, I did not add anything to the bottom of the fiberglass spoiler since it would just get scraped off at the first dip. I clipped off the ends of the bolt on pace car spoiler to be approx the same length as the OE spoiler since I don't care for the end portions that screw into the fender lip in front of the front tires. It has just enough height off the street to clear parking stops and curbs.
I didn't notice any diff in the cooling of the radiator as a result of this mod. It may cause a slight increase in air pressure across the face of the radiator but other factors such as radiator side and top seals, fan shroud and fan clutch have more impact on cooling.
If you are a racer, adding openings to the larger spoiler and ducting the openings to the brake caliper area might reduce brake fade due to overheating.
Another possibility would be to duct up to a cool air setup for your carb. Remember that air temp at street level is typically higher than at the cowl due to heat absorbed by the asphalt.

 

The Indy ft. spoiler designed for our Vettes w/ wind tunnel scoops up air for cooling, sweeps the airflow around the front tires & cleans up airflow underneath.
Rec. for all 68-79 ! I put mine on as soon as possible, so early that the paint matches & it appears original.

 

Desertdawg, what I have in mind is similar to the Ecklers 1980 - 82 LT spoiler p/n 10297 or MAD spoiler p/n 600-856 but fit to the body lines of the 77. I am sure that I can increase the height some over the store parts. :cheers:

 

That should work, but you are looking at alot of modification to get it to fit good. The 80 to 82 front clip has completely different diminishings the the 77 clip.
Good luck on your project, and keep us posted with plenty of pictures.