[spook]

Hey folks: I just completed a very simple mod on my 04 SSR and just wanted to pass the info along. Just below the radiator is a plastic spoiler piece held on by 5 quick release fasteners. You can pry the center of the fastener off with a screw driver and the rest will pop right off. I took that off and used it as a template...I used 12 gauge stainless steel and added 2 inches to the width. Then I angled the plate at 45 degrees about 1 inch from the top. Use the original piece to drill the 5 holes that the fasteners go into. I also buffed mine to a high luster (because it's stainless steel). You could just as easily paint it the color you choose. The 45 degree angle causes the piece to be the same height as the original piece...but one inch further forward. It also forces air from under the car directly straight up into the radiator area. Have a great week my friends. Respectfully, Lee

 

[big-daddy]

Hey folks: I just completed a very simple mod on my 04 SSR and just wanted to pass the info along. Just below the radiator is a plastic spoiler piece held on by 5 quick release fasteners. You can pry the center of the fastener off with a screw driver and the rest will pop right off. I took that off and used it as a template...I used 12 gauge stainless steel and added 2 inches to the width. Then I angled the plate at 45 degrees about 1 inch from the top. Use the original piece to drill the 5 holes that the fasteners go into. I also buffed mine to a high luster (because it's stainless steel). You could just as easily paint it the color you choose. The 45 degree angle causes the piece to be the same height as the original piece...but one inch further forward. It also forces air from under the car directly straight up into the radiator area. Have a great week my friends. Respectfully, Lee

Sounds like a simple fix to cooler air, any pictures?

 

[JimGnitecki]

Spook: That may be a really great idea given how hot our SSRs evidently run. Can you post a photo?

One thing I would check out is what is likely to happen when (not if) you ever hit a ramp or parking lot bumper with it. If the part itself is thin enough to absorb the bending that will result, no problem. You just make a new one. However, if it BREAKS or BENDS anything that it is fastened TO or IN FRONT OF, that could get pretty costly to replace the damaged part.

One POSIBLE solution is to mount the plate using bolts weak enough that they are adequate for normal use to even high speeds, but will break if the spolier is HIT by anything. Then, you might potentially even be able to re-use the spoiler by just installing another set of breakable bolts.

Jim G

 

[spook]

JimG: I thought about the strength thing when I was putting the new piece on. Personally I'm not overly concerned for myself. I've been driving a Viper for a couple of years and have learned to stay away from curbs...but definitely a good point that you bring up. My opinion is if I did whack a curb the potential for radiator support bracket damage is probably high. The stainless piece is 12 gauge and very sturdy. Probably could make it out of 8 gauge and use washers to space the fasteners at the correct distance from the radiator support bracket. 8 gauge would probably crumple fairly easy without support damage. Honestly don't know if that would bother me to break the support bracket either because I'm probably going to manufacture a replacement for it as well. Terrible piece made by Chevy. I'll try to dig up my digital camera and take some photo's for all of you. Did you see my postings on the G-Tech readouts for my SSR? Rather wide difference based on temps I think. Respectfully, Spook

 

[spook]

Ok folks...I admit I'm an idiot. Got pictures of the mod but can't post them...help anybody??? Respectfully Lee

 

[JimGnitecki]

Lee: email the photos as attachments to me and I will post them here.

My email address is:

[email protected]

Jim G

 

[JimGnitecki]

Here are Lee's photos of the s.s. spoiler and also of his NOS installation.

Jim G

 

[Daven]

Cool idea... couldn't help the pun... I can tell you that if you wack the curb too hard, you will break the high impact (I don't take that too literally... ) plastic bracket that is supposed to support the radiator. Replacement is $250 plus labor... already had that done... can't believe that they didn't make the thing out of real metal

 

[mikepowell]

nice stuff!

looks like you used the factory fasteners spook, that should reduce the chance of spreading an impact considerably :thumbs
mabie using plastic instead of the way cool looking stainless would work as welll :flag

 

[lloger]

I made basically the same thing about 4 months ago, but I used 1/8" smoked plexiglas. I used a heat gun to bend it. The first one lasted about 3 weeks before I caught a parking bumper with it. Broke the plexi but didn't hurt the radiator support. I made a new one and now I'm real careful about how far I pull up when I park.

 

[Ghostrider]

Got one in the works!

I too have been fabricating a front spoiler! It will be a lot more sporty looking! I'm making it out of aluminum now but eventually it will be made out of FiberGlass so we can paint it to match any color. It's a nice design if I say so myself instead of the square type that you've done, and will work about the same, but more "design" oriented! Pic's soon!

GR

 

[JimGnitecki]

I'm getting really enthused about a FLEXIBLE spoiler, that is larger than stock so it grabs more air, and angled to scoopy it upward, and flexible enough to BEND instead of break when hit. Not sure what material to use. Stiff rubber maybe? (no jokes please )

Jim G

 

[woohoo]

front spoiler material

Before you laugh at this idea please remember that I am a mechanically challenged Grandma, but I have been thinking about this front spoiler and maybe you could use roof flashing.. It is metal , but flexible and can be bent to most any shape. and would bend on contact with a hard object. It's cheap and easy to replace when it gets too bent up. Just an idea.... :flag

 

[JimGnitecki]

woohoo: Wow!! I SHOULD have thought of that, as my dad was a general contractor and I have put MANY of those flashings onto roofs personally!

That is TERRIFIC. Thye come in ugly galvanized, or pretty ALUMINUM, and as you point out, they bend on impact very nicely without transmitting any force to whatever they are mounted to (particularly the aluminum material).

In addition, you can EASILY enough make NICE (artistic) bends in the material too, and cut it easily to differnet shapes with ordinary tin snips, giving you the ability to make a PRETTY spolier too.

This might be the way to go.

Jim G

 

[woohoo]

Roof Flashing

I helped my husband roof our house once, and I knew that stuff was good for more than just the roof :lol Until now though, I couldn't think what to do with it. I'm not having an overheating problem, but think I'll get my husband to help me put one on Betsy. :thumbs

 

[spook]

Excellent stuff: You guys all have me looking at doing another one. One last recommendation to you all though. If you make your own I would recommend you to crawl up under the front and take a few measurements. You can actually design one to wrap around the radiator support a little and give the spoiler a more aerodynamic and probably more functional look. Good luck to all. V/R, Spook

 

[JimGnitecki]

woohoo: It was reassuring hearing that YOU are not having an overheating problem . . .

Always better to be cool :cool

Jim G

 

[ssr3]

Well, back when I autocrossed a Datsun 280 Z, we made front air dams and scoups out of black lawn edging. It was flexible with some ridgity and had a custom look. Oh and cheap !!

 

[circlek454]

Front Air Scoop

Great Idea, Simple Enough Too........the Product I've Used For These Type Items Is Available At A Local Circle Track Race Supply Or Speedway Motors In Lincoln Neb. It Is A Very Flexible Plastic Material, 1/8 Or Less Thick, That You Can Put In A Sheetmetal Brake And Form As You Like.
It Has A Memory But Is Very Forgiving On Parking Curbs Etc.

It Is 'colored Plastic' P.n. 910-041 At Speedway Motors
1/8x22"x10 Ft Roll, Red,yellow,black,white,purple,& Blue
17.95 Per Roll + Shipping

 

[hpdjv]

Nice pic of your spray installation. 03 or 04? How much extra hp are you getting and how does the trans seem to be shifting under wide open throttle while on the spray?