First Generation Firebird
Posted By: Roger Front spoiler? - 01/15/08 08:47 AM
Was a front spoiler a factory option on 1st generation firebirds?
Posted By: Claus Moeller Re: Front spoiler? - 01/15/08 10:31 AM
I'm pretty sure it was a dealer only add on option.
-only it was originally for camaros, but fit the firebird anyway. -same with rear spoiler.
Posted By: Bjorn Sefeldt Re: Front spoiler? - 01/15/08 04:51 PM
the good thing is it really helps at higher speeds, put the front wheels on the ground....
Posted By: Fbody69 Re: Front spoiler? - 01/15/08 05:07 PM
I've got a spare new one that came with a project if you want a deal on one. Still in the box....
Posted By: Bjorn Sefeldt Re: Front spoiler? - 01/15/08 05:43 PM
If You use one , use the brackets...some people do not, saying something about bending fenders if you hit something...mine has scraped a few times...no problem....but if you dont and drive fast, spoiler might break off... I know of one that did...
Posted By: catch22 Re: Front spoiler? - 01/15/08 07:33 PM
Based on what I read in the Year One catalog (yes, relying a parts house catalog):

"Front Spoiler for 1969 Trans Am Models. Although only correct for the 1969 Trans Am, the spoiler will fit 1967-1968 models with the small panel below the front valance panel (most A/C and 400 cars came with this extra pan)"

Not sure if above is correct, new to this and been kicking around the idea of front and rear spoilers (I won't get the discussion going again on the rear one, my decision is getting past drilling holes in my perfect deck lid and going against the PHS)
Posted By: Bjorn Sefeldt Re: Front spoiler? - 01/15/08 08:07 PM
Originally Posted By catch22
Based on what I read in the Year One catalog (yes, relying a parts house catalog):

"Front Spoiler for 1969 Trans Am Models. Although only correct for the 1969 Trans Am, the spoiler will fit 1967-1968 models with the small panel below the front valance panel (most A/C and 400 cars came with this extra pan)"

Not sure if above is correct, new to this and been kicking around the idea of front and rear spoilers (I won't get the discussion going again on the rear one, my decision is getting past drilling holes in my perfect deck lid and going against the PHS)


thats the TA spoiler...not very sturdy...I meant the Camaro "snowplow" spoiler... I also have the rear camaro spoiler, some people hate them...i like them..and they DO give you a better handling...down forces are great....somewhere someone posted those forces...I`ll see if I can find them and post...

didnt find the table of down forces, but heres an article talking about them

http://www.camaro-untoldsecrets.com/articles/rpo_d80.htm
Posted By: 68blackbird Re: Front spoiler? - 01/15/08 08:48 PM


Quote:
didnt find the table of down forces, but heres an article talking about them


No Spoilers: @ 115mph 375 lbs of lift in front, 25 lbs of downforce in rear.

No Spoilers: @ 85mph 200 lbs of lift in front, 10 lbs of downforce in rear.

Front & Rear Spoiler: @ 115mph 330lbs of lift in front, 130#'s downforce in rear.

Front & Rear Spoiler: @ 85mph 175lbs of lift in front, 75lbs of downforce in rear.

Rear Only: @ 115mph 450 lbs of Lift in front, 150 lbs downforce in rear.

Rear Only: @ 85mph 250 lbs of lift in front, 95 lbs of downforce in rear.

Front Only: @115mph 275 lbs of lift in front, 20 lbs of downforce in rear.

Front Only: @ 85mph 120 lbs of lift in front, 10 lbs of downforce in rear

Additional info on the RPO_D80 option
http://www.camaro-untoldsecrets.com/articles/rpo_d80.htm
Posted By: Roger Re: Front spoiler? - 01/16/08 02:34 AM
How much do you got to have for the front spoiler?
Posted By: Fbody69 Re: Front spoiler? - 01/16/08 02:37 AM
Roger,
They go for really cheap at Classic. I was cheecking them out earlier today. This one doesn't have the hardware so you have to buy it from Classic. Now that I see how cheap they are I would let you have it for $10 plus shipping. This one was purchased from JC Witney. It looks like the ones from Classic.
Posted By: Roger Re: Front spoiler? - 01/16/08 02:40 AM
Do you know what the hardwear consists of?
Posted By: Fbody69 Re: Front spoiler? - 01/16/08 02:42 AM
I was looking in the Classic Ind. catalog and they have a kit that has the bolts and clips and then they have the reinforcement rods.
Posted By: Roger Re: Front spoiler? - 01/16/08 02:43 AM
Does the spoiler just fasten to the valance panel?
Posted By: Fbody69 Re: Front spoiler? - 01/16/08 02:47 AM
Yes. The clips go on the back edge of the valance and you drill holes in the plastic spoiler to put the bolts in. Same with the bolts that hold the rods. I bought a few for Camaros so I'm familiar with installing them.
Posted By: Roger Re: Front spoiler? - 01/16/08 02:52 AM
Alright, thanks Jim. I'm out of state until the 24th and still not sure if I want to put one of these on my car....I'll let u know if I want it when I get back to michigan..Thanks again for the help and info. Roger
Posted By: Fbody69 Re: Front spoiler? - 01/16/08 02:54 AM
Sure thing Roger. I'll talk to you later.
Posted By: catch22 Re: Front spoiler? - 01/16/08 06:38 AM
Sorry about the confusion, didn't realize there were different front spoilers (have to research more). I have read many of the threads about the Camaro rear spoiler and all the opinions about it, I'm sure there are just as many opinions about the front.

Hopefully not hijacking (if so I'll start another thread)...I am trying to decide whether I should keep my car original or make it look like the Firebird I envisioned I would want to own (I may have found one too close to original to get crazy with, all numbers matching except carb and rear end, 400, A/C, Disc Brake).

To make it look like what I like would mean front and rear spoilers (and after looking at them, a hood tach). I have heard a Camaro spoiler requires removal of the "400" script on the rear, so I am leaning towards the TA spoiler. My question - How devaluing is it to take a pretty clean PHS documented 400 and start adding spoilers and hood tach? Should I just bring it back to original and someday find a beater to make more aggressive?
Posted By: Bjorn Sefeldt Re: Front spoiler? - 01/16/08 05:27 PM
the hardware for the front spoiler is cheap also, 3 rods...the middle you got to either drill hole in the frame under or tap for a bolt (I did) the other attaches at bolt holes at the end of the valance...and the rest under the valance with its bolts...

So, you can buy Jims ($10 is a deal) the new at Classics are about $30, if my memory serves me...the attaching hardware is about $15 I think...

and for Catch22, the 400 emblem needs removed ,yes , but I added mine to the rear spoiler instead...(just beware of the reinforcements on the spoiler, dont drill too close to it for the emblem holes, problem with nut for the emblem then , dont ask how I know!)
Posted By: catch22 Re: Front spoiler? - 01/16/08 06:40 PM
I couldn't google a decent picture of a TA front spoiler(I see there aren't too many TA's on the web with the front spoiler). You say its not as sturdy as the Camaro front spoiler, is there also a difference in size? Do you know if it mounts the same way (still needing the bottom pan)?

As for the rear spoiler I also like the Camaro spoiler but saw a couple pics of non TA's with the TA spoiler painted to match the car and that looks pretty cool. Also kicking around the idea of seeing what a TA spoiler in black would look like on a silver car with black top.
Posted By: Bjorn Sefeldt Re: Front spoiler? - 01/16/08 07:11 PM
I dont have the size , but it taller and less wide...and i`ve heard that the repro is very flimsy (no personal knowledge), and no idea on how it mounts (I would guess the same way)...re the rear...here are a couple of pics of the rear TA spoiler...not in black though....
on the last pic , my red car with 'regular Camaro rear spoiler to the right of it ,and on a 68 maroon coupe to the left of it..

Attached picture new years cruise 08 022.jpg
Attached picture new years cruise 08 025.jpg
Posted By: catch22 Re: Front spoiler? - 01/16/08 09:34 PM
Beautiful cars!!! Its great that you have a group to get together with and share the FGF experience. I have a some time before I get to paint and body work so will continue to research and decide which way to go, in the mean time the engine/tranny sitting in loose waiting on me to pull and replace with the new 400/400 combo (have to finish the shift kit in the replacement tranny - didn't want to put the kit in the original).
Posted By: Bjorn Sefeldt Re: Front spoiler? - 01/17/08 12:34 AM
Originally Posted By Bjorn Sefeldt
the hardware for the front spoiler is cheap also, 3 rods...the middle you got to either drill hole in the frame under or tap for a bolt (I did) the other attaches at bolt holes at the end of the valance...and the rest under the valance with its bolts...

So, you can buy Jims ($10 is a deal) the new at Classics are about $30, if my memory serves me...the attaching hardware is about $15 I think...

and for Catch22, the 400 emblem needs removed ,yes , but I added mine to the rear spoiler instead...(just beware of the reinforcements on the spoiler, dont drill too close to it for the emblem holes, problem with nut for the emblem then , dont ask how I know!)


found pics of attachments



Attached picture Picture 001.jpg
Attached picture Picture 003.jpg
Attached picture Picture 004.jpg
Posted By: Roger Re: Front spoiler? - 01/17/08 03:38 AM
Cool....Thanks guys!
Posted By: hslager69 Re: Front spoiler? - 01/17/08 03:42 AM
is that a camaro spoiler,Bjorn? didn't know there was two different ones.
Posted By: Fbody69 Re: Front spoiler? - 01/17/08 05:19 AM
There are two different first gen Camaro chin spoilers. The 67-68 is a little bigger than the 69 version which sits tighter to the valance panel.
Posted By: catch22 Re: Front spoiler? - 01/17/08 06:27 AM
Thanks Bjorn! Those pics help,..so 2 different Camaro front spoilers and still a different TA Spoiler?
Posted By: hslager69 Re: Front spoiler? - 01/17/08 06:29 AM
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Cama...tem160198719582

is this one correct for a 69?
Posted By: catch22 Re: Front spoiler? - 01/17/08 07:18 AM
I see a difference between that and this one for the 69 TA, 69 TA front Spoiler, still want to get a better picture of the TA to see how much different.
Posted By: Fbody69 Re: Front spoiler? - 01/17/08 05:22 PM
Originally Posted By hslager69
Yep. Correct for 69 Camaro.
Posted By: Bjorn Sefeldt Re: Front spoiler? - 01/17/08 05:27 PM
Originally Posted By hslager69


yes, as Jim said ,correct for a 69 Camaro, and will work on a 69 Firebird...thats what you see in my pics of my car!
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