Improving 1970 Challenger Aero
#2915006
04/26/21 01:15 AM
04/26/21 01:15 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,161 Los Angeles, CA
JF_Moparts
OP
super stock
|
OP
super stock
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,161
Los Angeles, CA
|
Hey everyone,
I'm thinking about ways to improve the aero of my 70 Challenger. For those not familiar, the grille on that car is recessed and the hood extends a good distance over the recess, which means that air gets trapped in there and pushes up against the hood, causing it to rise at the front of the car. It's a little scary at 90+. I can see why so many people put in hood pins, but I've never liked that look and while they would secure the hood, they wouldn't do much to make it more aerodynamic.
My thought is to fabricate and install a new grille, one that is closer to the end of the hood, very much like the 69 Charger 500. I was wondering if anyone else had ever tried anything like this, or had any ideas. I love driving this car but for my sanity I keep it under 80, because I really don't like seeing the end of the hood vibrating up and down.
Any ideas? Thanks.
|
|
|
Re: Improving 1970 Challenger Aero
[Re: JF_Moparts]
#2915009
04/26/21 02:06 AM
04/26/21 02:06 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,982 Scranton, PA
Montclaire
master
|
master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,982
Scranton, PA
|
Get the car low. Run wide, speed rated tires. Stiffer t-bars and leafs with a very flat arch. High quality shocks. Run a front air dam and ducktail spoiler. Reduce pump pressure if you have power steering, run a big dia. steering wheel. For the grill I’d copy the Silver State Classic 68 Charger: https://www.hotrod.com/articles/45098-1968-dodge-charger/
Last edited by Montclaire; 04/26/21 02:12 AM.
|
|
|
Re: Improving 1970 Challenger Aero
[Re: JF_Moparts]
#2915078
04/26/21 09:51 AM
04/26/21 09:51 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,002 Salem
Grizzly
Moparts Proctologist
|
Moparts Proctologist
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,002
Salem
|
By a new car and sell your Charger to someone who appreciates it.
Mo' Farts
Moderated by "tbagger".
|
|
|
Re: Improving 1970 Challenger Aero
[Re: JF_Moparts]
#2915145
04/26/21 12:13 PM
04/26/21 12:13 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,982 Scranton, PA
Montclaire
master
|
master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 7,982
Scranton, PA
|
I believe they were running 160+ mph. The original article went into more detail, lots of aircraft spec fasteners, etc. You’d have to direct air up through the lower valance to feed the radiator.
Last edited by Montclaire; 04/26/21 12:18 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Improving 1970 Challenger Aero
[Re: JF_Moparts]
#2915176
04/26/21 12:54 PM
04/26/21 12:54 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,141 Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
I Win
|
I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,141
Bend,OR USA
|
I'm thinking the air getting under the car at speeds is doing the lifting, not the hood. That being said I would put a front spoiler on the car to help eliminate any air getting under it like the 1970 Dodge T/A Challenger had I had one of those cars back in the day and I don't remember the front end getting light above 100 MPH
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
|
|
|
Re: Improving 1970 Challenger Aero
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#2915209
04/26/21 01:53 PM
04/26/21 01:53 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,161 Los Angeles, CA
JF_Moparts
OP
super stock
|
OP
super stock
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,161
Los Angeles, CA
|
I'm thinking the air getting under the car at speeds is doing the lifting, not the hood. That being said I would put a front spoiler on the car to help eliminate any air getting under it like the 1970 Dodge T/A Challenger had I had one of those cars back in the day and I don't remember the front end getting light above 100 MPH To clarify, it's not the front end getting light. The front end is fine as far as I can tell. It's just the far end of the hood vibrating up and down, presumably from the air getting pushed against the grille and then up against the edge of the hood. I'm used to the design of 71 B bodies where the hood edge is further in from the front of the car and isn't as affected by the airflow. Thanks.
|
|
|
Re: Improving 1970 Challenger Aero
[Re: Montclaire]
#2915309
04/26/21 04:10 PM
04/26/21 04:10 PM
|
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 259 n.c.
geo.
enthusiast
|
enthusiast
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 259
n.c.
|
A 1973 Challenger without a front air dam will hold on until about 110-115. Then the front end starts getting light. Over 120 and it starts really fighting against the air. Or so I’ve been told. I used to run my '72 Challenger in time trial events, totally agree with the above. I never worried about the hood wiggling at speed, On the back stretch at Road Atlanta I was pushing 135mph, after I fabricated a simple plywood front spoiler. Don't laugh it really helped! I had it bolted to some simple brackets and removed it when street driving. I just tried to copy the design used on the Sam Posey Challenger, though mine wasn't as low. If you refuse to drill holes in your lower valence. I'd lower the front with shorter tires or torsion bar adjustment. and block off as much air as you can that comes through the grille. At high speeds you won't need as large an opening as you'd think. You can install your blocking panels behind the grille if want to keep a more stock appearance. I'd start by blocking everything behind the front bumper 'cause that won't show. Your idea to move the grille out is good, but I'd still block off as much as you can behind it.
|
|
|
|
|