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my fiberglass aero wing install

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Old 12-26-2003 | 08:15 PM
  #1  
Diggler86's Avatar
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 647
Likes: 1
From: Orange County, CA
Car: 86 TA
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4 - 2200 stall
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
my fiberglass aero wing install

well, since i need to get a new paintjob anyhow, and the rubber spoiler is always an eyesore to me, i decided to pony up and get the fiberglass spoiler. yes i know, its WAY ridiculously priced. i got mine from classic industries since i could pick it up today, they are local. the counter guys there if they dont know something, they fake it. whenever i ask them something, they dont say "i dont know", they make it up and make it sound all simple (i asked about how to mount it to the rails). of course they were clueless, anyhow i digress just venting.

first thing i noticed about the spoiler is how light it is- a huge difference. one thing that bugged me is it was it had this pink stuff on it i believe was put on to fill any minor inconsistencies, im not sure. well i had to sand that stuff off it wasnt hard just time consuming and annoying considering how much i paid for it. the instructions and hardware that came with it was for if you dont have rails from the original spoiler on your car. i am not sure why this is. they could make this ALOT easier on us if they drill 6 more holes, and include 4 more screws. the screws you will need are #8 x 1-1/4 self tapping screws. quantity four. you must get the kind with the phillips head- the bolt type wont slide into the rails. you could prob go a little shorter too but i figured the longer the better.

screw the two supplied short screws into the skinny end of the spoiler arms. just eyeball halfway along the cut out part and center it. next place spoiler on the car and on each side align the screw you just installed to fit into the rail notch. then mark where the other screws would fit in the same place on the same arm in each notch. thats the important part- i eyeballed each one first round and wish i hadnt. then screw in your longer screws you bought into where you just marked. the screws should now be all aligned in the proper location. screw them in to about 1/4" sticking out. you can adjust that height later if it sits too high. now on each side slip the head of the screw into the notch and slide the spoiler backward. you may have to put some pressure on the arm but its ok it will fit snugger. do the same on the other side. you may have to do a little tugging on the arm. just go slow. then screw in the bottom under the hood. i used two washers under there since the holes in the deck were pretty large.

i also filled in the holes for the 3rd brake light since i have an 86 - i used a fiberglass repair kit i have for my surfboard and it worked great. you just squeeze the stuff out of the tube and it cures in 5 minutes in the sunlight. then sand.

i hope this helps someone, or is informative so at least you know what to expect. overall its a nice piece, i would have liked the them to drill the holes and supply the extra screws and instructions. the only bummer is the outrageous price, but you will definately be happy with the final product.
Old 12-27-2003 | 08:50 PM
  #2  
Gus_Mahn's Avatar
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 60
Likes: 3
From: Chicagoland
Pony up is right. Those things cost way too much. I can't justify the $500+ ($320 + shipping + paint materials) it will cost me to get it on the car. I'm going to rework my rubber one, even though I know it is pointless. If I could comlete the job for less than $300, I'd consider it. Was the spoiler straight and free from waves? Do you have any pictures of the intall?
Old 12-27-2003 | 09:47 PM
  #3  
TTA 1387's Avatar
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 940
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From: Diamondhead, MS
Car: 89 20th Ann. TA
Engine: Turbo 3.8 V6
Transmission: 200 4R
Axle/Gears: 3.27
I have the spoiler on my car and love it. Major difference in weight. Looks identical except for the clip on the sides. But you have to look for it. You wouldn't even know unless you knocked on it to tell.

Much better than the original eye sore it replaced. Its expensive but worth it if you like your car to look right.
Old 12-27-2003 | 11:01 PM
  #4  
deadbird's Avatar
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,775
Likes: 26
From: So.west IN
Car: 87 Formula/ 00 Xtreme
Engine: TPI 305/ v6
Transmission: struggling t-5/ 4l60E
Axle/Gears: 3.08/ 3.23
Originally posted by Gus_Mahn
Pony up is right. Those things cost way too much.
No, they actually don't considering the availability.

Being a frugal person myself, I simpley saved pocket change (literally) for a year (nearly to the day) from buying lunches at work and etc. when out buying things.
If you consider the price of a glass wing to bolt on and paint (granted it doesn't come from ramairhoods.. could just be my exp though...) instead of pissing away lots of time and resources to try and band-aid fix an original that is toast (and the repairs almost never last worth a damm), you'll find a glass replacement is much more reasonable than 1st appears.
Consider that an OEM wing (while still available) was priced over $1200 dealer wholesale....
Old 12-28-2003 | 10:21 AM
  #5  
ES87iroc's Avatar
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 2
From: Your neighbor's hood, MD
Car: 1987 Camaro Z28 IROC-Z
Engine: 5.7L TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.42:1
Originally posted by TTA 1387
I have the spoiler on my car and love it. Major difference in weight. Looks identical except for the clip on the sides. But you have to look for it. You wouldn't even know unless you knocked on it to tell.

Much better than the original eye sore it replaced. Its expensive but worth it if you like your car to look right.

Actually, it was the first thing I noticed on your car and picked it out from 10 feet away.

It just looked way to perfect.
Old 12-28-2003 | 02:35 PM
  #6  
formularpm's Avatar
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20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 851
Likes: 14
From: Nebraska
Car: '89 Formula
Engine: 355
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt
The body shop I had install my 'glass wing said there was no way to mount it with the stuff that Next Gen. included. They ended up attaching it with some sort of epoxy, it looks good but there is no way to remove it now.
Old 12-29-2003 | 06:26 AM
  #7  
TTA 1387's Avatar
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
From: Diamondhead, MS
Car: 89 20th Ann. TA
Engine: Turbo 3.8 V6
Transmission: 200 4R
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Originally posted by ES87iroc
Actually, it was the first thing I noticed on your car and picked it out from 10 feet away.

It just looked way to perfect.
Other than that, you can't tell its not original
Old 12-29-2003 | 11:09 AM
  #8  
bnoon's Avatar
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,304
Likes: 0
From: West Des Moines, IA
Car: 2008.5 Mazdaspeed 3 GT
Engine: 2.3 DISI Turbo
Transmission: 6 speed MT
Originally posted by deadbird
No, they actually don't considering the availability.
Key word, availability. Had this wing been made by any other major aftermarket wing manufacturer, it would be around $200, but since it's a limited supply unit we get the shaft.

Heck, Mustang wings are $149...
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