Hey all...new to the board, but what a great site! I had an '86 Trans Am in college (20 years ago)--black sapphire metallic with T-tops and a 5-speed 305--and now I want another one!
My question is about spoilers and terminology. What's the correct term for the spoiler on the '82-'85 model TA's, and what's the correct term for the spoiler that came out in '86 and beyond (black only in '86 and then colored after that)? Also, is it possible to put a later spoiler onto an earlier model? Thanks, and I'm looking forward to meeting other 3rd Gen folks in Southern Arizona!

 

They're called a Formula Spoiler. As for putting a newer spoiler on an earlier model, yeah, I'm in the process of buying a 1987 or newer real spoiler with the built in brake light for my Camaro now. Since 1986 Camaro's, which I have, have that dorky light mounted on top of the rear hatch.

Also, welcome to the forum, I'm rather new myself, just joined in Feb. There's some real nice folks here, with more information than you can shake a stick at about these cars.

 

You can absolutely swap spoilers as long as they are from the same generation. I just put a spoiler from an 85 trans am on my 90 Formula, you will even find that there are holes set up for the different spoilers already. Not sure about the names though

 

Thanks! I've seen "aerowing" and "wing" and "wrap-around" but not sure which term refers to which spoiler, or if there's even a standard term. I'm partial to the wrap-around style on later third-gens--that's what mine had, and from reading other threads it sounds like I should find a fiberglass one and not the standard rubber one.

 

Yeah anything off a 3rd gen will fit worse case is you gotta drill the holes but that's it.

 

Lord no, never go with the rubber one. You'll pay some fat bucks for a nice new fiberglass one but the rubber one morphs, is heavy and the clear coat will start to chip off.

 

found this youtube video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHsfrjMbmKw&feature=fvw

not sure if it was this thread that the video reminded me of or not, either way .. here ya go.

 

what year spoilers will fit on a '92 formula... i am looking for a gta one if i can?... the car goes to paint in 5 weeks and i have to have it ready... eeeek

 

Well 92 is a 3rd gen, so really any wing from 82-92 should work! Its just a matter of lining up the holes or drilling new ones.

 

what do most use to fill the holes i have the wing off my 82 i had but no access to a welder to do it right what other fills are there that work?

 

Wow...a Firebird spoiler on a Camaro...what would you call the spoiler on the red Camaro in the video (not the Tide one)?

I've never been a Camaro guy, but that spoiler looks great on that car!

 

Very easy and Cheap, my buddy used those interior plastic panel screw/cap/plugs/clips that are used to keep the int panels in place on a car. They are usually slightly domed or flat, and all he did was paint them the same colour as the car. He used either glue or bondo to keep in place underneath. The holes he had were too big for it to clip and hold in to, thats why he glued/bondo the clip.

 

Metal 2 metal its a body filler but has metal in it so it can be used as a hole filler.Or this http://www.por15.com/EPOXY-PUTTY/productinfo/PU/

 

That stuff looks cool but some SANDING still needs to be done to it and you'll need to repaint or touch up those spots. Not as easy as it sounds! I don't know if this guy really whats to get into that kind of work? But puttying the holes and paint WOULD look the best!!!

 

You gotta do something to fill the holes or water will get in it.Filling and sanding are easy then primer it and you can wait a month or two to paint it if needed.Or just duct tape over them for now.

 

yeah i think i may just do that epoxy stuff cus the one on here is jacked and it looks like crap w/o one lol

 

mrfroman- did you have the rubber aero spoiler before swapping to the 85 wing? i want to put an 85 wing on my 88- get rid of the cracked pos rubber wing. i guess i'm wanting to know if the holes were there to fit it w/o mods, or did you have to fill holes and drill new ones? going to paint the car, just trying to figure out if it will bolt right up.

 

I sure did. And there are already spots where you can mount the older spoiler, you just have to drill in those spots and patch the old ones up.