Pelican Technical Article: Installation of a Chin Spoiler Wayne R. Dempsey
Time: 2 hrs
Tab: $280
Talent:
Tools:
Hand drill
Applicable Models:
911 (1974-89) 930 Turbo (1975-89)
Parts Required:
Chin spoiler and hardware mounting kit
Hot Tip:
Be careful of speed bumps and driveways after installation
Performance Gain:
Better aerodynamically balanced car
Complementary Modification:
Installation of a rear spoiler
This article is one in a series that have been released in conjunction with Wayne's book, 101 Projects for Your Porsche 911. The book contains 240 pages of full color projects detailing everything from performance mods to changing your brake pads. With more than 650+ full-color glossy photos accompanying extensive step-by-step procedures, this book is required reading in any Porsche 911 owner's collection. See The Official Book Website for more details.
Check out some other sample projects from the book:
Another popular addition to the 911 is the installation of a chin spoiler. The chin spoiler is attached to the front valance panel, and is usually used in conjunction with the installation of the rear whale tail spoiler. You should not install a rear spoiler on your car without mounting a front spoiler as well. The rear spoiler changes the profile of the car in such a fashion that the car becomes aerodynamically unstable without the front chin spoiler. Thats not to say that the car will suddenly flip upside down if you are driving along, but the forces on the car will be unbalanced. You can however, install a front mounted spoiler without the installation of the rear spoiler.
Probably the most difficult part of installing the chin spoiler is figuring out where and how it is attached to the car. Figuring out the mounting hardware that comes with the kit is similar to putting together a jigsaw puzzle without seeing the picture on the box. The photo that accompanies this project should help save you a lot of time by actually showing you where each fastener is located.
The chin spoiler is made out of rubber, and is attached to the lower lip of the front valance of the car. Most cars will not have the holes drilled in the front valance, so you will most likely have to drill them yourself. If you work slowly and carefully, the entire spoiler can be mounted beautifully within a couple of hours.
The first step for installation is to jack up the front of the car. Although you can perform the install with the car on the ground, it will be easier to maneuver with a bit more room between the valance and the ground. Then, test fit the spoiler to the car. It is important to note that the cars with 911 Turbo flares on the front use a different chin spoiler that extends all the way up the side of the car to meet the front fender. See Project 82 for a photo of this spoiler.
If you so desire, you can remove the entire lower valance panel from the car and place it on your bench. While this will be more convenient for drilling the holes, it may take a while to remove and reattach the valance: adding to your total install time. Its easy enough to drill the holes in the valance panel while its mounted to the car. Only remove the valance panel if you need to, or if you feel more comfortable drilling the holes on your workbench.
The first holes that you drill in your valance panel should be the ones all the way on the side of the car, nearest to the wheel. The spoiler has two embedded studs inside the rubber that mount the spoiler to the side of the valance panel. Carefully hold up the spoiler to the valance panel, and mark the locations of these holes. Rotate the wheel of the car out of the way if you need a bit more room to negotiate. Double and triple check the proper location of these holes, as they will be the most visible if you mess up. Repeat the procedure for the other side of the car. You may have to stretch the spoiler to reach the other side.
Once you have the four side holes drilled, mount up the spoiler to each side of the car. The small dog-bone spacer is used on the inside of the valance panel, in order to offset the mounting nuts from the panel. When mounted, the center of the spoiler will hang and sag down. Tape it up under the valance panel into its final position with some masking tape.
Now, using the spoiler as a guide, carefully drill the holes in the valance panel. Its important to note that the mounting plates for the spoiler are not a perfect fit, and the embedded stud in the plate will hug the inside of the hole on the spoiler. In other words, double check where you are drilling your holes in the valance panel. The holes in the rubber spoiler are much bigger than the hole that you will drill in the valance panel. Make sure that the hole in the valance panel is centered in the hole in the spoiler, and also oriented towards the inside of the car.
Each time that you drill a hole, use the mounting hardware to fasten it loosely to the valance panel. When you have completed all the holes, tighten up the hardware and make sure that the spoiler is tightly fastened to the front valance panel.
Remember when driving that your spoiler decreases the clearance of your 911. If you have already lowered your car, you will not have too much room for going over speed bumps. Make sure that you are aware of the new height clearance before you accidentally knock your newly-installed spoiler off of the valance panel.
Figure 1
The chin spoiler is installed on the lower part of the valance panel in the manner shown here. Start with each end of the spoiler and work your way across. The spoiler may have to be stretched across the bottom of the valance panel in order to make it fit appropriately.
The mounting kit for the chin spoiler can be very confusing to sort out. Seven plates with embedded studs are used to mount the front lip of the spoiler. Small spacers fit over the studs to make sure that the rubber part of the spoiler is not crushed when it is assembled. Two bolts and spacers on each side attach the spoiler to the sides of the valance panel. Finally, the upper lip of the spoiler is attached to the upper side of the valance panel and secured on the opposite side with two nuts. A white dog-bone spacer is used to keep the nuts off of the back of the valance panel.
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