to spoil(er), or not to spoil(er) ?

2439 Views 10 Replies 9 Participants Last post by 164 FAMILY, Sep 23, 2007

Quad164

Discussion Starter · Sep 22, 2007

Hey Hey,

Been slowly working around my 164 fixing up small dings and scratches, prepping the car to get a full respray at some stage (I thought it was a pipe dream but realised if I make the car look really ugly with patches of primer and putty all over, then I'll def get the paint job done!).

I removed the rear bootlid spoiler and brake light the other day to inspect the paintwork underneath, and to tighten up some loose brakelight bulbs. Then I had a lightbulb idea .... should I even put the spoiler back on ?? I actually realy like the simplier look without it on later model 24v LS, QV, Q4, etc.

Now, thinking it through:

I haven't seen a 12v S without a bootlid spoiler... in Australia, only earlier 12v B/L and grey import later 24v LS are spoilerless. Will this mean I take away part of the specialness of the 'S' by removing the spoiler?
It means I'll have to remove the bootlid brake light also which sucks as I like having that 3rd brake light.
Is the lip on the bootlid of the factory standard spoilerless models (24v LS, Q, Q4, etc) different to the 12v S, meaning they look different/better without the spoiler?
Although I don't always use OEM parts, my car is basically stock (other than rims off a 156) - is it criminal to tarnish such a beautiful car by doing this?

Any other thoughts?

I wanna try and figure it out soon (before spraying the car), so I can bog up the bolt holes and prep the boot for a respray.

Really I suppose I can try it and its not difficult to go back if it doesn't work out.

Cheers,

Quad
1992 12v 164Q
Melbourne, Australia

See less See more

Save

1 - 11 of 11 Posts

sjmst

· #2 · Sep 22, 2007

Well, in my opinion spoilers of any kind are so named because they "spoil" the looks of any car. I hate them.
Guess my vote!

Save

Peter

· #3 · Sep 22, 2007

I like it better without also. Leave it off but have it painted and keep it....you can always put it back on later

Save

Rorysbrown

· #4 · Sep 22, 2007 (Edited)

Zender Rear spoiler

Get the Zender type rear spoiler as on this thread http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?t=40514 as it is simple and cool as picture of a real one on Jason's car below.

I think he has 1 available still in his initial order of 5 being made now.

See less See more

Save

gt601

· #5 · Sep 22, 2007

I think I read somewhere that the S rear spoiler puts around 75 Lbs of down force at highway speeds. I added the Velocissimo rear spoiler to my GTV-6 and it made it a bit more stable at high speeds. On the interstate it felt like it was not getting pushed around by big truck turbulence like it had before. My Fetta sedan is more stable at speed with the modified GTV-6 front spoiler. I think they are there for a reason.

JMO
Paul

See less See more

Save

elite38868

· #6 · Sep 22, 2007

The only problem I see is you're going to have a couple holes in your trunk lid. Well, that's not the only problem; you're going to have to do something about the third brake light. If you just leave it off, you're going to have an annoying dash light coming on every time you brake. You can also get cited for not having it as it is a federal requirement. You can fix this by getting the 3rd stop lamp assembly from a B/L and retrofitting it inside the car. I'm not sure if the heating elements would damage it as the B/L rear window is different than that of the S. That's my eventual plan, but for now the spoiler stays. I'm basically trying to make it look more like a european model than a US model, but still appear stock.

Save

Alfissimo Int.

· #7 · Sep 22, 2007 (Edited)

elite38868 said:
The only problem I see is you're going to have a couple holes in your trunk lid. Well, that's not the only problem; you're going to have to do something about the third brake light. If you just leave it off, you're going to have an annoying dash light coming on every time you brake. You can also get cited for not having it as it is a federal requirement. You can fix this by getting the 3rd stop lamp assembly from a B/L and retrofitting it inside the car. I'm not sure if the heating elements would damage it as the B/L rear window is different than that of the S. That's my eventual plan, but for now the spoiler stays. I'm basically trying to make it look more like a european model than a US model, but still appear stock.

Actually that Spoiler is not bad looking on the S as it fits the rest of the kit and is a true functional spoiler not just for looks. The deep trough on the spoiler really makes it work at speeds over 85MPH+. So if your never going those speeds it is pretty much useless.

I may start looking to make the Zender spoiler in the near future as so many people want them. I am probably going the fiberglass route to make it light.
I have my own design in mind for a little more function, although the zender does function as a spoiler.

I would say do what you want. I think it looks good both ways. I love it without and it looks great with.

Most of the European model QV did not come with the spoiler like other models.

If you can find the Zender Spoiler like OEM it weights about half the OEM:

Jason

See less See more

Save

Pauliecarzz

· #8 · Sep 22, 2007 (Edited)

Rorysbrown said:
Get the Zender type rear spoiler as on this thread http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?t=40514 as it is simple and cool as picture of a real one on Jason's car below.

I think he has 1 available still in his initial order of 5 being made now.

Thanks Rory!!!
i have 5 spoilers coming and 2 are spoken for...so i will have 3 available. YES they are exact copies of the original Zender spoiler u see on Jason's car. the weight is exactly 2.4lbs. Top of the spoiler is carbon fiber and the actual part that is glued to the car is made of fiberglass.(see in the pics). If intersted u can PM me.
good luck.

See less See more

Save

elite38868

· #9 · Sep 23, 2007

Wow Paul, that looks nice!

Save

164 FAMILY

· #10 · Sep 23, 2007

Alfissimo Int. said:
Actually that Spoiler is not bad looking on the S as it fits the rest of the kit and is a true functional spoiler not just for looks. The deep trough on the spoiler really makes it work at speeds over 85MPH+. So if your never going those speeds it is pretty much useless.

I may start looking to make the Zender spoiler in the near future as so many people want them. I am probably going the fiberglass route to make it light.
I have my own design in mind for a little more function, although the zender does function as a spoiler.

I would say do what you want. I think it looks good both ways. I love it without and it looks great with.

Most of the European model QV did not come with the spoiler like other models.

If you can find the Zender Spoiler like OEM it weights about half the OEM:

Jason

I got the Zinder spoiler in the last pic with my Q4 and it is very light like 1/4 of oem.

Save

164 FAMILY

· #11 · Sep 23, 2007

As far as the OEM spoilers go if the car came with it it should have one in my opinion.

Save

1 - 11 of 11 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

to spoil(er), or not to spoil(er) ?

Quad164

sjmst

Peter

Rorysbrown

gt601

Attachments

elite38868

Alfissimo Int.

Pauliecarzz

Attachments

elite38868

164 FAMILY

164 FAMILY

Top Contributors this Month