1968 Front Spoiler

[joesauer]

Read most of the old posts regarding front spoilers.  Did the 68' front spoiler help with engine cooling (by forcing more air towards the radiator/engine), or primarily just aid with down force?

[JohnZ]

Under 100 mph, it probably did more for cooling than anything else.

[KurtS]

The data indicates there was notable change at highway speeds. But I'd like to see the Car Life article.
http://www.camaro-untoldsecrets.com/articles/article_fs.htm

[68Zproject]

It's funny, I read that article in a stack of back issues at the library when I was in HS and it basically said that the spoiler didn't do much until you went over 100 mph.  I had my 68 SS up to 140 on the highway and at about 70 the rear went down and you could feel it.

[lakeholme]

68Z28
Does it have the rear spoiler, too?

[IZRSSS]

Nice articles Kurt. Does anyone have pics of the different plows/spoilers tested but were discarded due to aesthetics?

[william]

Of course I have the issue-June '69 Car Life. This was no casual test. They had some engineering firm thoroughly instrument three cars: '69 GTO Judge, '69 Javelin, '69 Z/28. The Z/28 was not built with D80. Recordings were taken at 65, 85, 115 mph. All straight-line stuff in the NV desert.

For the record the Javelin roof spoiler was worthless.

The Judge spoiler had negative value, adding front-end lift.

The Camaro modes were no spoilers, front only, rear only, both. The best performance was front only. The roof design creates some natural downforce; adding a rear spoiler creates some front lift. But at all datapoints the front spoiler reduced front end lift: no spoiler was 375 lbs@115 mph front only was 225 lbs. With both front lift is over 300 lbs.

Interesting test!

[68Zproject]

68Z28
Does it have the rear spoiler, too?

It only had the rear spoiler when I had it and probably why the rear squatted down the faster I went.  I was young and indestructible then and the faster the better.

[william]

Rear only was 400 lbs front lift at 115 mph.

The 1st gen Camaro spoilers were designed by Paul Van Valkenburgh, author of Chevrolet=Racing...? He was an R&D engineer

It is the best source of info about what went on at Chevy in the good 'ol days.

[lakeholme]

At what speed did the downforce of the front spoiler prove effective? Does the article tell?

[william]

There are 4 graphs of data.

To answer your question the front spoiler seems to have instant effect. With no spoilers there was 50 lbs of front lift by 40 mph. With front spoiler only 50 lbs is reached at 65 mph; with both it drops to 50 mph.

Rear only seems to be worse than none at all.

[lakeholme]

Thanks, William! I'd love to see that article.
My 68 is front spoiler only.  I had never thought about it, but the front end does stay where it is supposed to be when I drive interstate speeds.  I guess now I know why...

joesaur,
Back to the first part of your original question: Running at 70 mph, with the factory AC on in 90 degree plus weather ,for five hours to Beckley, WV (in the mountains), it did not overheat.  However, I still think the cooling from the spoiler is minimal, and I do not have all the seals mentioned for air conditioning in the 68 AIM at C60, B3.  Never found seal 3937188. The seals would force more of the outside air over the radiator.