Installing BRE "Spook" spoiler- helpful discovery

[landmizzle]

Hi all,

Now maybe you folks know all about this, so I apologize if this is common knowledge. But just in case it might prove useful, I'll post this.

I decided to trial install a BRE "Spock" front spoiler I bought from MSA. I wanted to check the fit and drill necesary holes prior to painting it. I mounted it up and held it in place with a couple of C-clamps and then looked it over, checking for alignment and contemplating where to drill mounting hole in the frame, valence, etc. I wasn't too keen on the idea of drilling holes in the valence and only maginaly more trilled with driling holes in the frame or the lower radiator support.

I crawled under the car, now on a ramp and started feeling around in the front frame area and lower radiator support area. To my suprise I noticed a few small holes on the underside of the radiator support, three to be exact. I then felt around in the interior of the radiator support and discovered matching nuts spot welded above each hole. Sweet!!! I quick rumaging through my bag o' bolts and I found three screws, locking washsers, and lager washers that fit the drilled holes. A little measuring on the spoiler, some drilling, and 15 minutes later I had the spoiler mounted without drilling a single hole into the frame of the car.

The ends of the spoiler-the part that reaches around to the front of each wheel well, is a bit far from these mounting locations and I thought a reinforcement in that area would be a good idea. I took some single sided sticky foam rubber, about an inch long and quarter inch thick and applied it between these ends and the corner valance on each side. Since aeordynamic forces on the spoiler will apply an upward force on these areas the foam rubber works well. The ends won't vibrate, causing stress on the fiberglass or mar the paint on the spoiler or corner valences.

I've driven the car over a hundred miles in the last day at speeds up to about 90 MPH and over some seriuosly twisty mountainous roads with no problems.

Still, the rubber foam was intended as a temporary measure until I could think of something better, hopefully not requiring drilling. Then it dawned on me. So trip back to my bag o' bolts and I had two outer shifter boot clamps. The ones that hold the fake leather shifter boot to the bottom of the center cosole. I widened them slightly, and clamped them on both ends near where I placed the rubber foam and viola. The spoiler is firmly mounted and not one body piercing required for my precisous baby.

I suspect those three holes were originally installed at the factory for the European Z's that had the small front air dam. Just a guess.

Anyway, I'm totally happy with the mounting and it looks like a factory install rather than some hack job. Now, I need to get around to painting it and it'll look real sweet.

BTW, the spoiler does make a difference, which is surprising, considering it's size compared to the more common spoiler that come down much closer to the ground. The front end seems much more planted at speeds as low as 45 MPH and the car is very stable in cross-wind situations-very nice.I've always liked the look of the BRE spoilers. They just ooze "vintange look" and have a certain classy understated atitude. Gives the car an almost European flair.

Hope somene finds this usefull. If anyone's interested I'll take pictures that might better illustrate what I've been rambling on about.

Best Regards,

Landmizzle '72 240Z

[kinfish]

I have consumed two BRE type spoilers on my '71 240 over the last 33 years. The existing holes make installation easy. However, I did drill an additional hole in the left and right valence to secure the ends. Make sure you use a large washer under the bolt heads to distribute the load. Also reprogram yourself to avoid hitting those concrete bumpers in parking spaces since they will destroy your spoiler with one whack. My first spoiler was destroyed while hitting a Mojave Desest jack rabbit at about 110 mph while racing a motorcycle. The bad news was the motorcycle driver was behind me and his helmet and body was covered with rabbit guts and hair. The good news is that he didn't lose it and crash. Another BRE spoiler is on my "to-do" list.

[bpilati]

How much stability improvement do you notice with the BRE spook? Which version (vented or non-vented) would you recommend?