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Anyone track-tested Challenger T/A-style chin spoilers?

Posted By: BradH

Anyone track-tested Challenger T/A-style chin spoilers? - 11/04/09 04:40 PM

Has anyone track-tested Challenger T/A-style chin spoilers to see if they have a positive or negative impact on the drag strip? I've always thought they look cool, but wondered if they would actually make any difference on a Challenger's aerodynamics.
Posted By: Cab_Burge

Re: Anyone track-tested Challenger T/A-style chin spoilers? - 11/05/09 04:25 AM

I do know one NHRA class racer that uses the front "chin spoilers" and not the rear trunk lid spoiler on his T/A to set a record that stood for the most time allowed, no one else could or would set it lower. He is known to do a lot of testing and doesn't leave anything on the car that deosn't work
Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: Anyone track-tested Challenger T/A-style chin spoilers? - 11/05/09 09:27 AM

Quote:

I do know one NHRA class racer that uses the front "chin spoilers" and not the rear trunk lid spoiler on his T/A to set a record that stood for the most time allowed, no one else could or would set it lower. He is known to do a lot of testing and doesn't leave anything on the car that deosn't work



There's a 69 Car Life magazine spoiler test that backs up what he is doing. For the time it was pretty sophisticated testing stuff. They used guide wire strung onto the suspension with a plotter in the car. Pretty well thought out test for a magazine.

They tested a 69 Camaro, 69 Javelin, 69 GTO. The Camaro outline would most simulate a sedan profile of an E-body, Dart, non-charger 66-70 B-body...

Well without any spoilers the Camaro's front end lifted at about 70 mph and the rear had some downforce about at 80mph. With just a rear spoiler, the rear went down starting at about 60 mph, but that also lifted the front sooner and even more than without any spoilers.

With the front spoiler only the front went down starting about at 60 mph, but the rear had some downforce starting at 70mph (little sooner than with no spoilers).

With the front and rear spoilers, the front lifted because of the rear downforce above 70 mph.

They concluded the best bet was front spoiler only.
Posted By: ThermoQuad

Re: Anyone track-tested Challenger T/A-style chin spoilers? - 11/05/09 12:54 PM

The inexpensive MAS front spoiler works on a Cuda, but I am not sure if the T-A spoilers have enough frontal area to have the same effect.

The rear AAR spoiler works too as I have torture tested both. You need to be going 110 mph or more to get the effect. This car hits 130 mph on the back straight at Watkins Glen with ease. From years [15+] of doing this type of torture I know what works.

Still looking for some daytona flavored watermelon to feed the fish...

Attached picture 5587537-20090601_WGI_GR2_8191lr.jpg
Posted By: BradH

Re: Anyone track-tested Challenger T/A-style chin spoilers? - 11/05/09 01:49 PM

Quote:

The inexpensive MAS front spoiler works on a Cuda...


Does your picture show the MAS spoiler? Does it fit both the 'Cuda and Challenger?

FWIW, Dick Landy's Pro Stock Challengers ran something similar to that, although actually a big bigger IIRC.

I do have a set of the OEM-replica T/A chin spoilers to try out...
Posted By: RylisPro

Re: Anyone track-tested Challenger T/A-style chin spoilers? - 11/05/09 02:43 PM


get a Trans Am style spolier
http://www.transamcuda.com/spoilers.htm
I went and got my Cuda spoiler and he had a couple Challenger spoilers left
ducted & non ducted
Posted By: TonyS451

Re: Anyone track-tested Challenger T/A-style chin spoilers? - 11/05/09 03:11 PM

I had some on my Chally, but took them off because I'm not crazy about the look. You want to try mine? But if your car goes faster I want them back!
Posted By: autoxcuda

Link to Car Life Spoiler Test - 11/05/09 04:36 PM

Ok, finally someone has posted the Car Life article online. Good, I don't have to scan mine.

Read it here instead of going off my memory of it:

http://www.rotaryeng.net/Car-Life-all.pdf

IMHO, it gives you some insight on the 68 S/S Dart vs Cuda debate too. The Cuda is a fastback like the GTO and the Dart is a sedan like the Camaro. But of course this does not give any insight to aero drag issue.
Posted By: AndyF

Re: Anyone track-tested Challenger T/A-style chin spoilers? - 11/05/09 06:06 PM

The pretty stuff doesn't necessarily work and the stuff that does work isn't always pretty.

This setup works but it isn't super attractive. Basically a big "air pusher" built from stiff rubber.
Posted By: camdog440

Re: Anyone track-tested Challenger T/A-style chin spoilers? - 11/05/09 06:14 PM


I think I have a spoiler like that around the edge of my landscaping!
Posted By: AndyF

Re: Anyone track-tested Challenger T/A-style chin spoilers? - 11/05/09 06:20 PM

Good guess. I believe it actually is the rub strip off of a commercial garage door.
Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: Anyone track-tested Challenger T/A-style chin spoilers? - 11/05/09 06:45 PM

Quote:

Good guess. I believe it actually is the rub strip off of a commercial garage door.



That's what the owner, Tim Werner, told me it was from. I like it because it's got some give.

The big AAR/TA race spoilers I'm sure are real effective, but they are stiff fiberglass and not driveway friendly. I know the guy with the green AAR that had his on there since the first repro's about 20 years ago. He baby's the heck out of it, and still cracked it a couple times. Now if they made that in ABS, then we would be talkin'..

Also, if you go on-track and go off course (gotta find the limits somehow) some spoiler setups will damage the valance AND the front fenders IF the valance is attached to the fenders.
Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: Anyone track-tested Challenger T/A-style chin spoilers? - 11/05/09 06:52 PM

Quote:

The pretty stuff doesn't necessarily work and the stuff that does work isn't always pretty.



Hey, my Barracuda takes offense to that comment.

Just kidding.
Posted By: Cab_Burge

Re: Anyone track-tested Challenger T/A-style chin spoilers? - 11/05/09 09:16 PM

The 1970 T/A used "chin spoilers" not a full across front spoiler like the AAR had, if I'm rmemebering correctly still
Posted By: RylisPro

Re: Anyone track-tested Challenger T/A-style chin spoilers? - 11/06/09 06:29 PM

Quote:


The big AAR/TA race spoilers I'm sure are real effective, but they are stiff fiberglass and not driveway friendly...

Now if they made that in ABS, then we would be talkin'..



working on it
Posted By: autoxcuda

Re: Anyone track-tested Challenger T/A-style chin spoilers? - 11/06/09 09:21 PM

Quote:

The 1970 T/A used "chin spoilers" not a full across front spoiler like the AAR had, if I'm rmemebering correctly still



Correct that T/A use chin spoilers.

AAR had chin/eye brow spoiler too.

The full length spoiler RylsiPro pictured was made for the 70 Trans Am Race AAR's never a street car. Tom's full length spoiler is not like a factory offered piece either.

So I'd assume there are NHRA classes that only accept production type spoilers.
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