ep3grrly
07-22-2003, 08:29 PM
I just got my wing in from showstoppers, it wasnt cut like they said it would be:mad:
But thats ok because I called them up and they were more than happy to describe the cutting process to me, very impressed with their service and the quality of the wing.
Anyways heres some garbage pictures and some tips so the rest of you can attempt the wing install. Enjoy!
Its really not that difficult so dont worry about taking a dremel to that brand new shiny wing!
Tools:
Pliers
10mm socket with extension
Dremel with plenty of cutting blades (I broke 3 or 4)
Factory wing...(GROSS!!)
Pictures are kind of dark because it was rainy and around dinner time, the important cut pictures came out nice though.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid71/pc54632cd5fe7c1b107febfd30b087dd0/fb998fc5.jpg
Open up the hatch, and remove the 3rd brake light cover, just grab it and yank it off. Undo the 2 10mm bolts holding in the 3rd brake light and disconnect the plug to the light. Cast the light aside for now.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid71/p85e48cba6aace393eadef4de226e37ca/fb998fb0.jpg
You now have access to all the bolts holding on the spoiler, remove all of them. That wing is still attached pretty well though!
Take the pliers and squeeze the two plastic retaining clips, as you squeeze give them a push so they pop out. After the clips are popped through, and all the bolts are gone, that wing is still very secure. Just grab an end and yank it off, theres industrial strength velcro on each end of the wing.
Spoilerless...
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid71/pe3660a2b0b5eef81ff56ac63aa738b8f/fb998fa6.jpg
"Mugen" wing
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid71/p501d233d7e139b8792c73aa6474d226b/fb998f85.jpg
Comparison
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid71/p5310beeaf597d182c252e77e1dd9da98/fb998fa1.jpg
OK now for the tough part, if you do a test fit you can clearly see the long rib that must be cut out for the wing to rest properly on the US EP3. I used a dremel with the standard cutting tool on the highest speed. It cuts through the fiberglass like butter. Its hard to describe where you cut but hopefully the pictures can do most of the explaining.
From the mouting location by the roof, you cut straight through the rib to maintain the straight edge. Then cut along the base of the rib (Following the countours of the rib) Cut around the base of the extra bolt moutning location following to the outer edge of the rib.Then continiue about halfway down the rib side on the edge that faces towards the outside of the car, all the way back to the original cut.
Pics...
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid71/p8259952b0047d26c96fca73ee6f21d5f/fb998f8b.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid71/p97b64ef320e4b2498b2070229313f981/fb998f8d.jpg
Repeat for the other side and do a test fit. I just put in two bolts. Open the hatch half way and look along the glass, it is very important that no part of the spoiler touch the glass. If it does just shave off your cuts with the dremel. If any part touches the glass, when you go to tighten the bolts you can stress the spoiler and crack it. When you're satisifed with the fitment apply the rubber gromets to the mouting holes on the spoiler.
Remount the spoiler, throw those bolts back in, reinstall the brake light and cover and enjoy your new wing. It was too dark when i finished to take pics of the final assembly, but check back tomorrow night and they'll be up.
Thanks showstoppers and my boyfriend for helping me!!
But thats ok because I called them up and they were more than happy to describe the cutting process to me, very impressed with their service and the quality of the wing.
Anyways heres some garbage pictures and some tips so the rest of you can attempt the wing install. Enjoy!
Its really not that difficult so dont worry about taking a dremel to that brand new shiny wing!
Tools:
Pliers
10mm socket with extension
Dremel with plenty of cutting blades (I broke 3 or 4)
Factory wing...(GROSS!!)
Pictures are kind of dark because it was rainy and around dinner time, the important cut pictures came out nice though.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid71/pc54632cd5fe7c1b107febfd30b087dd0/fb998fc5.jpg
Open up the hatch, and remove the 3rd brake light cover, just grab it and yank it off. Undo the 2 10mm bolts holding in the 3rd brake light and disconnect the plug to the light. Cast the light aside for now.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid71/p85e48cba6aace393eadef4de226e37ca/fb998fb0.jpg
You now have access to all the bolts holding on the spoiler, remove all of them. That wing is still attached pretty well though!
Take the pliers and squeeze the two plastic retaining clips, as you squeeze give them a push so they pop out. After the clips are popped through, and all the bolts are gone, that wing is still very secure. Just grab an end and yank it off, theres industrial strength velcro on each end of the wing.
Spoilerless...
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid71/pe3660a2b0b5eef81ff56ac63aa738b8f/fb998fa6.jpg
"Mugen" wing
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid71/p501d233d7e139b8792c73aa6474d226b/fb998f85.jpg
Comparison
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid71/p5310beeaf597d182c252e77e1dd9da98/fb998fa1.jpg
OK now for the tough part, if you do a test fit you can clearly see the long rib that must be cut out for the wing to rest properly on the US EP3. I used a dremel with the standard cutting tool on the highest speed. It cuts through the fiberglass like butter. Its hard to describe where you cut but hopefully the pictures can do most of the explaining.
From the mouting location by the roof, you cut straight through the rib to maintain the straight edge. Then cut along the base of the rib (Following the countours of the rib) Cut around the base of the extra bolt moutning location following to the outer edge of the rib.Then continiue about halfway down the rib side on the edge that faces towards the outside of the car, all the way back to the original cut.
Pics...
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid71/p8259952b0047d26c96fca73ee6f21d5f/fb998f8b.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid71/p97b64ef320e4b2498b2070229313f981/fb998f8d.jpg
Repeat for the other side and do a test fit. I just put in two bolts. Open the hatch half way and look along the glass, it is very important that no part of the spoiler touch the glass. If it does just shave off your cuts with the dremel. If any part touches the glass, when you go to tighten the bolts you can stress the spoiler and crack it. When you're satisifed with the fitment apply the rubber gromets to the mouting holes on the spoiler.
Remount the spoiler, throw those bolts back in, reinstall the brake light and cover and enjoy your new wing. It was too dark when i finished to take pics of the final assembly, but check back tomorrow night and they'll be up.
Thanks showstoppers and my boyfriend for helping me!!