Options for 74 ft valence, need air to cooler & brakes

[chrismorse]

Hi Guys,

Work is finally permitting me to get back to Dad's 74. After installing an 85 cooler and dumping the ac, I realize I need more air to the cooler and the ducting for the front brakes.

I am aware that the factory roughly balanced the aerodynamics with the rubber front spoiler and the duck tail, but realize that time marches on and many have imagined and built, "better" parts, or combined factory and aftermarket stuff to get a well balanced, yet streetable combination.

This car is to be occasionally used on the track, but mostly a driver. I like brakes and want to do just about anything I can to get it right.
I am starting with new PMB calipers, zinc washed Zimmerman non drilled rotors, ss brake lines, ss blocking plates and ducting to the front discs; new MC and EBC Yellow pads. The front end is undergoing a blast, paint and rebush, Carrera bars front and rear with Dunlop Direzzzionales on refinished Fuchs.

So, is the duck tail and the rubber lip spoiler still the way to go? I am willing to stray, (but not real far) from the factory stuff.

Maybe this has been hashed & re-hashed earlier and I missed the thread???

thanks :-)
chris

[chrismorse]

The front rebuild is about to get back underway and I am hoping that others have found a good way to get air to the fender cooler and the ducted front backing plates.

I am reluctant to cut foglight size holes in the front valance, if there is a factory part or a nice aftermarket valence that will do the job.

This is mostly a street car, so I cannot get a huge front air dam.

Thanks for the input,
chris

[faverymi]

To keep it somehow original and reversible I would get a 84-89 carrera valance with the fog lights cutouts . No rubber chin spoiler

Paint it the color of your car and run any duct or air deflector out of those holes.

You can bolt back the original valance anytime you want

Nice car.

[faverymi]

Only picture I could find close to the idea.

Notice the side scoop intake instead of side markers. Another thought.

[tdw28210]

Think Blackbyrd has some of those side air ducts for sale in the parts section.

[javadog]

The later front bumpers have a recessed area and a notch on the bottom to admit more air to the cooler. You might try that first. Depending on the cooler you are using, you might also seal the edges to prevent air from going around it instead of through it. You can also add some shielding below it, for the same purpose.

I can't see needing to duct air into the front brakes to keep them alive on the street. Use good fluid and don't over-use them.

JR

[will hung]

Originally Posted by javadog

The later front bumpers have a recessed area and a notch on the bottom to admit more air to the cooler. You might try that first. Depending on the cooler you are using, you might also seal the edges to prevent air from going around it instead of through it. You can also add some shielding below it, for the same purpose.

I can't see needing to duct air into the front brakes to keep them alive on the street. Use good fluid and don't over-use them.

JR

I was just going to recommend this. My SC has the notch cut out that the previous owner cut when he installed a Carrera Oil Cooler. I'm at work, so I can't take pics of my bumper blade modification, but here is a pic I found with a Google search. In that search, I found guys notched their blades like this on both sides.

This is a factory modification, therefore tested to confirm effective, that is totally invisible unless you crawl on the ground and look up under the bumper blade.

[will hung]

Note that the pic I just attached is a much bigger notch than the factory single notch.

[javadog]

Originally Posted by will hung

Note that the pic I just attached is a much bigger notch than the factory single notch.

And, the later, factory bumpers had a raised area there, as well, to create a bigger gap between the bumper and the valence.

JR

[911pcars]

For a street car:

Add'l air flow to the cooler, yes.
Add'l air flow to the brakes, ehh. If needed, you're probably street racing and braking or forgetting where your left foot is resting.

Sherwood

[chrismorse]

Thanks guys for the ideas:
84 front valance with no fog lights, (just screening).
A little trimming on the lower side of the bumper, in front of the cooler.
The cooler is sealed to the fenders, but sealing up the lower area sounds practical.
I do plan to do a bit of DE stuff, particularly at Thunderhill, so will do the brake ducts.

I think I am avoiding resting the left foot on the middle pedal :-) With only 150 horse, I need all the "go" I can get.

If I did use the rubber valance lip, would that help with the oil cooling??

Thanks,
chris