Front Chin Spoiler Installation Pointers

[JRSIII]

I Installed a front chin spoiler on my 88 Carrera this past weekend. This is a fairly straightforward job but thought I’d pass on a few thoughts/pointers for anyone else who might be planning to attempt this. First, if you don’t have a lift, I can’t imagine doing this without removing the valance and doing the drilling/mounting on a workbench or other. I did mine on the living room floor while watching the F1 race. The bottom lip of the valance that you need to drill into isn’t very wide, so you want to be sure you’re doing the drilling in the most ergonomic position possible. Plus, in my case, my valance needed some dent repair and just a general cleaning up, so removing made sense.

Like most things I’ve found on these cars, removing the valance is simple with the exception of one bolt. The passenger side bracket that mounts the valance to the car is in front of the oil cooler, and I found the only way to get at it was through the fog light opening. Even then it’s a trick. The bracket on the car is angled and the flange “hides” the bolt head, so getting back-up is nigh on impossible. I was finally able to get enough purchase on it by putting a 13mm short socket in a set of vice grips (there’s no room for the ratchet) and holding it on there while I turned the nut on the inside with a ratching 13mm wrench. Once this bolt is off, it’s a snap. Two 8mm screws on either side mounting to the sheet metal behind the bellows, two 10 mm bolts inside the frunk, and another 13mm bolt on the driver’s side that is easily accessible with the wheel removed. Note as another user pointed out to me, you don’t need to remove the bumper to remove the valance.

Once the valance was off, I spent some time pounding out dents, straightening the bottom flange, and repairing one dent that needed it with body filler. I then gave the whole thing a light sanding. I didn’t sand too hard as I didn’t want to remove the stone guard finish under the topcoat. Next, I took it inside and carefully marked and drilled the holes for the spoiler mounting bolts. I used a 1/8” or so pilot bit and then used a 17/64” bit to drill the final hole. The bolts used to mount the spoiler are 1/4”, so drilling a 5/16” hole really isn’t needed.

Once the holes were drilled and the spoiler test fit, I removed it and gave the valance three fresh coats of guards red and one coat of clear. Then I mounted the spoiler for good. Note that for test fitting, don’t use the nylock nuts that come with the kit, just get some regular M8 nuts so you don’t mess up the nylock.

Finally, I mounted the valance/spoiler combination back to the car. In anticipation of maybe needing to remove it again someday, I put 3 or 4 washers under that tricky bolt so that the head stuck out a little past the flange. This made re-installation much easier. Still a bit of a pain, but not impossible. Anyway, I was pleased with the result. Photos attached.

[Swoboda]

Great post!

Where did you get your paint and clear coat?

Thanks!

Lawrence

[A horse with no name]

+1...A very nice job. Well done!

[JRSIII]

Thanks guys.

Lawrence - About a year ago, I ordered a base coat / clear coat spray can kit by ColorRite from Amazon. See photos. Unfortunately I can no longer find the listing to order more. It appears that ColorRite is now focusing on motorcycle paint, but they do provide a link on their website to a company called ExpressPaint, which appears to have this product. I've contacted them to see if they are now just marketing automotive paint under a different name.

If you are looking for pints or gallons of paint to be used with a spray gun, I've had good luck with Restoration Shop (TCP Global). Just make sure you don't buy one of their generic colors, and use the automotive paint catalog at the bottom to give them your exact specs. I learned this the hard way when ordering some indigo blue metallic paint for my truck. L80K for guards red.

I also believe that Eastwood sells automotive paint, and I've bought other products from them.

Note that I wouldn't recommend using a spray can for a large, prominent piece of the body, but it seems to work fine for trim pieces.

[glewis80SC]

Nice write up thanks for sharing.

[Karter18]

Great Write-up as I have one at the ready for an install.

How do you find the clearance with the spoiler vs. no spoiler.

[JRSIII]

There is very little difference in ground clearance. The spoiler only extends maybe 1/2" below the bar and cage that guard the front condenser. That being said, I'm sure I'll want to take it slow over speed bumps, driveway entrances, etc., to avoid bottoming out. And definitely don't pull all the way up to a curb or parking stop. I learned this the hard way a number of years ago when I had a BMW 330. I pulled up to a parking stop not realizing the rebar used to secure it was sticking up an inch or so out of the hole, and it dang near tore my bumper guard off when I backed out!

[Swoboda]

John, thanks very much for the details on the paint!

[OneMore]

Thanks for your write up!


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[Kraftwerk]

In retrospect I wish I had removed my valence to install...good advice here.

[cmcfaul]

question, Mine is pulled slightly off in the very front. I tried pushing it back into position. How is it attached?

Thanks,

Chris
89 Carrera

[JRSIII]

There are seven brackets that secure it to the bottom lip on the valence. Unfortunately the nuts are on the topside and are difficult to access with valence in place, at least without removing the front condenser protector bar and screen. See photo.

[UROParts]

Quick FYI: premium quality URO Parts Front Spoiler Bracket 911 503 023 00-PRM / 91150302300 is STAINLESS STEEL, which puts an end to rusty spoiler brackets. Pelican isn't carrying them yet, but should be soon.

[Kraftwerk]

Stainless-steel: this is smart.

[Doolie]

Hi,

Would you happen to know what the dimensions of the bracket is, I would like to make it out of stainless steel......

Thanks

[MBAtarga]

Originally Posted by Doolie

Hi,

Would you happen to know what the dimensions of the bracket is, I would like to make it out of stainless steel......

Thanks

On this hosts site - they are $2.75 each for the URO parts SS version mentioned just 2 posts above.

[917_Langheck]

Originally Posted by Doolie

Hi,

Would you happen to know what the dimensions of the bracket is, I would like to make it out of stainless steel......

Thanks

Unless you can bend metal "S"s with a compound curve [ ( ] you are going to want to buy them. They are a close fit item and straight brackets are not going to work. The curvature isnt great, as seen in the photo above, but it's there for a reason.

[UROParts]

Originally Posted by Doolie

Hi,

Would you happen to know what the dimensions of the bracket is, I would like to make it out of stainless steel......

Thanks

Here they are Doolie, stainless-steel Front Spoiler Bracket 911 503 023 00-PRM: https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/UR91150302300PRM.htm?pn=UR-911-503-023-00-PRM&SVSVSI=