Dams, aprons & spoilers, myth, legend or fact? Options

[1970 Neun vierzehn]

I recall reading an article way back in the '70s (might have been published in PCAs Panorama) about the effectiveness of various front end devices fitted to a 914. At the time, I was still utilizing the OEM apron beneath the front bumper and a 1200 mile road trip to Colorado opened my eyes to the cross wind susceptibility of the 914s' aerodynamics. Driving at extra-legal speeds across the plains of Kansas and Colorado with wind gusting from the side has the ability to focus a driver's attention on maintaining lane discipline.

After that early odyssey across the plains and through the mountains, I'd subsequently fitted a SE/LE air dam after considering the aforementioned article, in an effort to impart a bit of downforce on the front end, allowing less air to be diverted below the car and thereby increasing the load on the front tires for more directional stability.

With that said, further long distance road trips seemed to have proven the validity of this thinking. The car seems to be more "planted" and less affected by either cross winds or passing/or passed vehicular traffic (i.e. large semis).

But that was almost 30 years ago! I can't imagine there's been a very large body of study put forth on the aerodynamic characteristics of a limited production car, now over thirty years old.

With D/E and other track use excepted, does anyone have any firsthand, hands on experience with 914 front end aero aides?