As with many third gens, the foam-like 'aero' spoiler on my 90 trans am has stress cracks all over it and it is starting to fall apart. Are the fiberglass spoilers offered by aftermarket companies a good alternative? Are there any problems or modifications I would have to do to install a replacement?

Also, are all the 'areo' spoilers offered the same, or is one campanys product better?

 

I have seen a whole GTAuto accessories fiberglass spoiler, and to tell you the truth the only thing that set me off to recognizing it as not being original was it was perfect.

I turned around and had to ask the guy about it.

I will be getting 2, one for each of my Formula's I am desperately seeking one more person to go in with me. so I can buy 3, it will save me $33 on shipping, and another $50 on the spoilers.

If I order 3 I get them for $300 each, 2 for 325 each, normally there 350. Shipping is expensive because they have to go freight.

John

 

Would the fiberglass be prone to cracking or denting?

 

I wouldn't think the fiberglass would crack. I am planning on getting the 4th gen style rear wing for my TA. I would be interested in the same thing. Thanks,

 

fiberglass, if properly constructed is very strong, and should not crack unless you hit something. (I guess in this case back into something) Consider the Corvette, there all fiberglass, they don't dent or crack, unless there in a wreck.

John

 

John,
are you still looking for someone to go in on a 3rd spoiler with you? If so, do you know if that price applies to the 4th gen style as well? If so, I will be in Flint from october through mid-december, so maybe we could work something out?

jeff

 

slickrock55,

sure, If you would like, that SHOULD get the price around $300 each, S&H runs about 75-100 break that up into 3 ways and it works out to be about 333 each part, thats better than spending 350 each, Plus the 100 for S&H we should save about 115 each part.

Tell me how you would like to work it out, and if we get a 4th it might even be cheeper...

I assume your going to be going to Kettering, I live about 3 min from there on the other side of the river. I actually drive right down 3rd St every day to go to work...

Private Message me

John

 

I just got it painted, I have a right to show it off a little...

Fibreglass aerowing from Paradise Alley in Toronto. I heard a rumour that they but them from somewhere in the US (GTAuto perhaps?) but I doubt it. So far so good...

 

Another shot.

 

Anyone buy a fiberglass spoiler from Year One? If so, how is the quality?

My GTA just got hit on the freeway and I need to send it in for repair soon. Since the rear of the car will need painting, I'd also like to buy a new spoiler and have it done at the same time to save some $$$.

GT Auto Accessories says they are back-ordered for at least 6 or 7 weeks on their web site. I want to get the car repaired quickly, so I can't wait that long.

 

Did the spoiler fit well?

 

When I spoke to George at the T/A nats, He mentioned that he supplies Year one.

John

 

Year One's spoiler is the same as the GT Auto spoiler...made by the same people, so the quality would be identical. Probably higher $ though, just like everything else from Next Penetration/Year One.

 

as far as fit, Yes, everything I have seen has been exceptional... The first time I ever saw one I did not realize that it was indeed fiberglass, until I realized that it looked too perfect... The only difference that you will notice between the Urithane spoiler and the 'glass one is there are no seams on the inside corners of the spoiler, and of course that it is straight.

John

 

ok im going to go off the wall here and say...leave what everyone else has done to their bird and get a "better" different spoiler then every other bird in the world has...

you could be different but you most likely would be called rice..

i am very interested in seeing a bird with something different or "refreshing" done to it other then the lack of imagination most people have here..

just my 02 and im not flaming..

iroc2nv

 

What....at all....would lead you Iroc2nv to decipher that this guy/girl had a question about aftermarket more "fresh" spoilers? Just wondering.

You said: " "better" different spoiler then every other bird in the world has"....Contrary to your belif, every other bird in the world did not come with the 85-90 TA spoiler. ONLY the 85-90 TA and some formulas. Most of these spoilers are now in horrid condition and/or missing huge amounts of paint. By adding this spoiler, the chosen cosumer adds not only unique styling from an era where the Trans Am and Z28 ruled streets...but FUNCTIONALITY. I'm sure you've seen the documents detailing this spoilers unique properties and its use by proffesionals. It adds very little weight to the car as well.

I'm ranting and I know it. I've got no problems with people customizing their cars and making them different. But by referring to my favorite spoiler from my favorite car as inferior by some means to some aftermarket euo piece that falls far short of its glory....you went too far. How's this for "better" and "fresh"?

And to the guy that started this post....go buy that aftermarket TA wraparound spoiler and don't look back. You won't be dissapointed with it's quality.

 

i guess the way it came out eye candy wasnt the way i wanted it to..i just meant that it would be nice to see a spoiler on a bird that is completely different and one that i hadnt seen on a bird at all..wasnt meant to be a flame to those who enjoy their wrap arounds...i agree they do look good on the birds but would still like to see something a little different ..

it seems that only the camaro people have taken the liberty to customize (lack of a better word) their rides and its kind of sad although it is in everyones own taste that they make their cars and thats how it should be..

once again eye candy i didnt mean it as a flame and i apologize if thats how it came out..

im not a fan of birds and not because you "called me out" or so to speak but you do have a nice car.. i am very unexperienced in the bird world so as i learn i will try to not have so many "opinionated" views into something i dont ultimately understand..

iroc2nv

 

We're cool man. I've got no beef with you. A little misunderstanding now and then isn't worth the worry people put into it. In all actuality, I like your color scheme. The nose and the tail would also have the black/red scheme...but that's just my opinion & who cares what I think.

You stick around here long enough, and people like 86fyrbrd, FlyinLow89, Roshambo, and a few other bird fans (Nosaint is the ultimate) will rub off on you. You'll be speaking our language in no time.

Once again, we're cool man. Keep up the customizing.:lala:

 

I have one from GTAuto and I love it. I get comments all the time from "experienced" 3rdgen owners, they all ask me why mine hasn't cracked yet. Kinda expensive but the quality is there and nobody else seems to make them and better.

 

Not to be picky, or start a flame war...I can see both sides of the spoiler issue...but the Trans Am and Z28 hardly "ruled the streets" when they were new (3rd generation).I loved them then and do now, too, but they (except the TTA) had to bow down to the lowly 5.0 Mustang LX, the Buick GN/T Type (there have been three in my family since 86...never lost to a 3rd gen anything, and raced plenty of 5.7 TPIs and 5.0 5 speeds), even a few turbo 4 cyls like the Dodge Omni GLHS. The F-bodies had the looks, the handling, and yes even better braking, but there wasn't much power there, even by the standards of the day.

 

*sigh* that's why we buy crate LT4 engines for our trans am's, lt1guy

 

Dodge Omni GLHS "Goes Like He11 Somemore"

its ugly and not much to look at, but pull up next to a GN and give it a run for its money, thats a laugh...

As for the on topic of the Spoiler issue, I personally like the stock 85-90 Aero Spoiler were al speaking of here the best, I think it complements the T/A & Formula the best out of all of them. It flows with the body, IMO anything that creates a eyecatching magnet on the back of my car is too much, it has to go with the rest of the car.

John

 

agreed. Don't you wish they would have put the 3.8 Turbo in more TransAms? Would have devalued the TTA in 89...but would have made the plethora of engine choices more fun to decide between.

 

Just Remember, it was not Chevy that made the TTA go as fast as it did. SLP cme close to doing that, and that was in a lighter Formula. It took Buick engine to make such a fast car... and to think Buick gets little or no credit for making fast cars.

John

 

A friend of mine (guy I used to work with at Year One) had a GLH that he had modded quite a bit...it looked like a total $hitbox, and ran high 11s in the quarter. Lots of fun, but if you look up "torque steer" in the dictionary, there's a picture of that car!!!

 

I have seen only 1 in my lifetime, kind of uncommon, only made from 84-86 I think the GLH-S was only available in 86 by Carol Shelby, some thought the "S" stood for Shelby, but in fact it was somemore.

John

 

Sorta... It looks like the shop couldn't get the middle clip atached on the driver's side so there's a small gap there. Plus they apparently had to pull the ends apart quite a bit to get it to line up around the hatch. I'm kinda worried about those spotwelds popping. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Iroc2nv, I can't believe you still don't get it. To be blunt, most aftermarket design spoilers (if not all) simply look terrible and perform no better (often worse) than a generic aerowing. Aside from a select few I'm sure there will be very little argument from this group. Some designer at GM probably spent months designing the stock spoilers. You think ripping them off and replacing them with some gawdy bolt-on designed in Windows Paint for the back of a civic by some kid overseas somewhere would really be a better choice? C'mon...

To get back on topic, the fibreglass spoiler is also a hell of a lot lighter than stock. My hatch actually opens forcefully now, even with one blown strut. If I ever replace it I'm sure it could knock a few teeth out if you're not paying attention when you turn the key.

 

Another vote for the GTAuto accessories fiberglass spoiler. I have one on my 89 TTA and it looks awesome. Can't tell it from original. My hatch actually springs open by itself.

 

I agree with you on the looks of most aftermarket spoilers (most are too generic to fit anything well, and the styling usually leaves a lot to be desired. Leave your car parked on a field and you might return to find kids kicking a football through your rear wing!) , but as far as performance...who are we kidding? Sure, if you're roadracing, or dragging an 8 or 9 second car, you may be able to tell a difference. The Aerowings are nice, and effective as far as spoilers go sopposedly, but how many of you really drive fast enough to ever notice? A buddy of mine took his off of his TA, and could tell no difference...zero...at speeds of up to 120mph. Its ok to like a spoiler for its looks, no one ever said everything had to be for performance.

As far as spoilers go though, just because there aren't many aftermarket wings that look good on these cars doesn't mean there couldn't be...all good ideas don't come from the boys at GM. After all, these are the same people who brought us the Aztek!

 

the aztec..what in the hell were those guys thinking?

iroc2nv

 

even the concept Aztek was half Caveman, Half Japanese UG-LEEEEEE

John

 

This kid can't be serious.

If you buy a spoiler for a CIVIC, then how can you act surprised when it's called rice?

 

lmfao

and why do people think that by putting rice wings on camaros they are being original?

 

I wish they'd do it again...screw the GTO, how about a nice Eaton style blower or better yet, a turbo on an LS1 in a Buick Grand National version.

I have always thought it was funny that the fastest TA had a turbo 6 Buick motor in it!

 

IF you want a different look than anyone else, then make your own spoiler...

John

 

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHY THEY CHANGED THE STYLE OF AEROWING FROM THE 82-90 STYLE FOR THE 91 STYLE WITH THE NOTCH IN IT. WAS IT JUST TO CHANGE UP LOOKS OR WAS IT PERFORMANCE??????

 

Give Hank a call @ 813 920-7544 as he may have a foam rear spoiler left over from the ASC convertible conversions.

 

from my understanding the 85-90 Aerowing was more "Functional" than the 91-92 wing. I believe some of the reasons that the wing was changed in 91 was the following, it is very close in design to the concept Banchee wing from 1988 Det Autoshow, it was also lighter than the earlier aero wing so fuel economy was increased, also since most of us would never drive above 100 mph the wing is mostly for cosmetic purposes. So to update the look of the car, like the Z28 Camaro GM updated the spoiler.

John

 

Screw the GTO? It's got an LS1, 6 six speed trans and IRS. Hey, bolt on a turbo and you're all set.

 

THANKS FOR THE INFO JOHN MUCH APPRECIATED. SINCE IT IS JUST A MATTER OF APPEARANCE LET ME ASK YOU, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF ITS LOOKS(91-92 STYLE).

THANKS

 

I stumbled past this thread and noticed a bunch of happy customers with the GT Auto Aero Spoiler. I'm happy for you guys but for those who are thinking about buying one of GT Auto's products I thought I'd share my experiance.'

When I bought mine last spring it took about 2 weeks longer to get than I was quoted. When it arrived it initially looked like a good product. I went to install it on the car to check fitment and from handling the coating in a couple of spots cracked. There were air pockets between the fiberglass and the top coat (I think you would call it a gel coat but gel coat is normally glossy and this was more of a primer texture). I noticed that instead of using a rubber gasket the OEM uses, GT Auto supplies these little foam double stick circles to seal the bolt holes. This leaves a gap between the spoiler and the decklid of about 1/16" and it looks like ***. When I installed the bolts, the second one I installed started pulling out of the hole before it got tight. In addition to this, the part is about an inch or two too narrow at the front so you have to bend it apart to make it fit. The last issue I have with it is just plain old poor design. This spoiler did not use the factory hold down method. The factory spoiler used a few push tabs on each side to hold the unit securely in place. The one I purchased from GT auto had spots in it formed around the tabs on the frame around the glass but provided no means of securing it down in these spots. Instead, GT auto supplied two little brackets to sort of clip around the decklid at the front. These little tabs were supposed to be secured to the spoiler with these tiny little screws they supplied, I swear they had to be smaller than 1/8"... smaller than a screw you would use for sheet rock. This is all that holds the front of the spoiler down, two tiny little 1/8" ish screws.

Here is where the real horror story begins I called GT Auto and told them about the cracked Gel coat and the pulled out thread insert and they suggested I have my body shop fix it and they would pay the labor but I couldn't since I was out of time and I was about to move to Germany (I'm in the Air Force). I told them I'd rather ship it back and get a refund. They instructed me to ship it back freight collect and didn't specify a shipping company. I no longer had the box they sent it in so I packed it up securly in a hood box I had via the carrier that shipped my hood (american freightways). Anyway I get to germany after a month of training and a few weeks of leave back home and lo and behold no check. I called them back to ask them if they got the part back and to see why my cash had not been returned and they said that the freight was too much so they returned it! Then they proceded to blame me for their manufacturing defects. Now they knew I was moving to germany and here I am with no spoiler, short $450.

 

I guess 1,000 happy customers for every unhappy one is still a pretty good ratio. I've been around a lot of fiberglass (Dad owns a body shop) and the 4th gen spoiler that I got from GTAuto was a very, very high quality piece.

 

Sorry to hear about your bad experience. I have a GT Auto spoiler that I bought thru Classic Industries. I have had no problems. My car was in the body for some work after an accident, so I had the shop paint the spoiler as well. The spoiler did take some prep since the grey "primer" coat is there I believe just to give protection during shipping, etc...

As for the spoiler being too narrow in front, that is intentional. It ensures a snug fit and this is mentioned in the instructions. The same goes for the foam washers. GT Auto states in their directions that the washers may cause a slight gap. They also mention that you can leave the washers off and instead apply sealer around the holes.

I used all the supplied parts and my spoiler fits and looks great. The "L" brackets worked well for me. The factory style mounts/holes are molded into the GT Auto spoiler and can be used. Simply install some flathead screws into the holes and they will slip into the factory clips on the glass.

My body shop did this at first in spite of my clear instructions not to install the spoiler. It worked but was not how I wanted it installed. After I complianed, they removed the spoiler and wrapped it up for me. I then took it home and carefully installed the spoiler myself.

One extra thing I did do was throw away the black oxide screws suppiled by GT Auto and instead bought new stainless steel hardware (screws and flat washers). Also, the screws supplied by GT Auto are too long for the third brake light. There I reused the factory screws. Last, I applied plumber's putty to all the screws before installing them for an added seal against moisture.

 

Yeah, it was a rough few months this past spring, GT auto was not the only business I had a problem with which is unusual... I've had pretty good luck up to this point. I must have spilled some salt or something.

The screw thing is good to know but still does not quite make it install in the original manner like it did with the push tabs. still sounds a bit cheesy but better than the single little screws. Its too bad they didn't do it the same way the factory did. I guess they wanted to cater to the guys that didnt have the aero-spoiler originally.

Since I live in Germany now, it would be disasterous to loose it at high speed... with an insert pulling out leaving one bolt and two 1/8" screws to hold it down under the forces of 150+ mph I was not about to take a chance. Even with the alternate mounting method you mentioned I don't know if I'd trust it.

 

I know what you mean, when I pulled it out of the box I was like wow, this is nice. Almost no finish work required except a finial sand, prime and paint. Unlike almost every aftermarket hood I've ever seen that takes 5+ hours of work to get them ready to shoot. My biggest problem is not that the part was defective, that kind of thing happens to the best of them. My problem was that when the part did have problems they did not resolve them... that and I don't like their mounting method and the fact that they don't inform the buyer that they use an altenate mounting method for a part that replaces the factory part exactly in looks.

here is a quote from their web page
"1985-1990 AERO WING SPOILER!!
WE TOOK THE MOLD FOR THIS PART OFF A 1989 INDY PACE CAR SPOILER"
and
"THERE IS NO NEED TO DRILL HOLES OR REMOVE ANY OF THE FACTORY CLIPS!!"

They dont come right out and lie but I feel its misleading. I though I was getting a replacement part, not something that mounts like it was some add on part you would buy from JC Whitney.

 

When I talked to George at GTAuto last, I thought he mentioned that the spoilers could now be installed either way.. keep in mind that the little metal bands around the rear window are so expensive that it will make your head spin... $600 each sticks in my head... And rather than make it ONLY fit on the stock hatch, you can make it fit on any 3rdgen hatch... it is a way to make it cheeper for the customer...

John