Big Valven's spoiler build

[Big_Valven]

I've wanted a spoiler for my car for a long time, but something a little different. I love the boot profile of the Monaro and decided a lip spoiler is what I want.
The VT/VX Senator is the one that will undoubtedly spring to mind:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/aKTiVE/617617.jpg

And while I like it, there are three problems... cost, availability, and looks. I don't really like the "flanks" on either side that go down the side of the quarter panels, and the shape of the rear edge isn't my cup of tea.

A bobtail-type spoiler such as the one on the Mazda6 MPS is more like what I'm after:
http://www.caradisiac.com/media/images/le_mag/mag272/mazda-6-mps-15g.jpg

But of course, apart from the Senator spoiler there are no other lip spoilers on the market. Some of you will know by this stage that if I want something done just right I will do it myself... and this situation is just begging for it!

I noticed at the LS1 Nats this year, a VY SS parked next to a VT. The VY boot lid is much flatter, but the underside of the spoiler is curved the same as the VT boot lid. Bingo! Instead of making a fibreglass one from scratch like I had (unsuccessfully) considered, I could source a VY spoiler and modify it. This spoiler also has the deck length I was looking for.

And in chimes stepupvy in response from a wanted ad in the forum classifieds :cool: :
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg51/Big_Valven/Spoiler.jpg
A quick eyeing-off to make sure the curve was indeed right, and we did the deal.

I have done some preliminary chops today to start getting ideas together. I quickly realised I need to photograph the car and spoiler from the same angle to do decent chops... so they will follow in the next few days.

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg51/Big_Valven/Web1.jpg

Any input will be most welcome!

[Blown 540]

I think it needs to be done as per the mazda Callum,i actually like that look.
Cheers

[Big_Valven]

More chops:
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg51/Big_Valven/Spoiler2003web.jpg
Not sure if this is an accurate one though.

This one is more like it:
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg51/Big_Valven/Spoiler2007web.jpg

[fatas]

did you look at a wh statesman international one ? it looks like what you want do a search i think you will like :goodjob:

[Rub]

Awesome idea dude :)

I was thinking of something exactly the same... I would love to be able to mould a monaro boot into the rear 1/4 panels.. or i had also considered a VT senator rear lip.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y32/spa06/091206-2.jpg?t=1241005623

[VT_Lance]

i like the first chop you done

about a 2 weeks ago i seen a vt senator and wanted the wing for my vt but not spending money on this car any more which is a shame it would look good with the vx ss and monaro kit on

[macca_779]

I have to agree with the comments about how awesome the VT Senator Spoiler is. Not cheap, but you always pay for the best. My opinion is that doing a custom one like suggested would look bloody awesome. But I honestly do think it needs to extend over the quarter panels. Not doing so looks under done IMO. I vote chop 1 too.

[Satansfist]

I think you should look into the Grange rear lip, very much like the Mazda one pictured but even smaller and more subtle. I'm at work so no pics of my car to hand to give as an example. Bit of a browse through Caesales should give you an idea though.

[tyrhantc]

Big V I vote for chop 1 too. It definately has some merit and would look the goods. Chop 2 just seems too much like someone has just stuck on something whereas the first moulds into the rest of the body. Great idea mate.

[fatas]

try fiber sports at taren point they have got lots of holden moulds i got a rear statesman lip in glass for $250 way cheeper than holden :)

[Rub]

Yeah i love the WH grange spoiler too... would be quite difficult to mould to the VT/VX though...

http://myholden.com/images/statos/wh/cam/pic7.jpg

[benniemc]

Doesn't look too bad, but what about a VY Senator spoiler?

http://ssv.com.au/plugins/ssv/images/big/thumb_commodore_vy_1473.jpg

[Big_Valven]

I had considered the statesman & grange boot lips but weren't quite what I was after. They aren't really big enough IMO... I think it needs a bigger deck length to suit the curve of the VX boot as it sags towards the rear.

Thanks for all the feedback everyone, keep it coming, although keep in mind I might just end up making something no-one else actually likes haha... but I do consider all the opinions!

(Keep in mind that the VY senator lip would not suit my car as the boot curve on a VY is quite different.)

[Big_Valven]

And another spoiler photoshop... I have nearly decided on a compromise between photo #1 and #2... instead of cutting at the edge of the boot lid, I am going to simply cut along the profile of the boot and rear quarter panels. This gives me more of a "kick" off the edges of the boot without having to drastically modify the flanks on the spoiler not to hit the quarter panels. This photo is a fairly good indication of that detail. It still gives me freedom to cut more off if I want, but it will be harder to get the initial cut right.
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg51/Big_Valven/Rear1.jpg

I am probably going to start cutting this weekend!

[Big_Valven]

Progress on the spoiler - I've made some cuts!
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg51/Big_Valven/Build1011.jpg
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg51/Big_Valven/Build1013.jpg

It doesn't sit very low at the moment because the cuts need work. But it's definitely going to plan so far. I've literally cut it enough to sit almost flush, that's it... only tools used was a jigsaw! So once I borrow some better tools from work I'll be able to get it sitting better.

Let me know what you think so far!

[vx_ss_black]

ive always liked the little boot lids mate, yours is shaping up very nicely. i reckon it will look really nice when its done.

[Big_Valven]

Updates on the rear lip spoiler:
I bought a sheet of 4.5mm PVC sheet to thermoform to the rear of the boot, making my new mounts for the spoiler and enclosing the cut ends.
Here are the two sheets cut to size with the jigsaw, along with a small sample piece showing how far it can bend:
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg51/Big_Valven/photo070.jpg
Put it in the oven for 6 minutes at 150 deg C, take it out, and it's like those plastic-wrapped cheese slices.
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg51/Big_Valven/photo071.jpg
once they were both formed on the boot, I put the spoiler straight on top and traced the outline. This was later cut.
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg51/Big_Valven/photo072.jpg
And the rough cut & fit. The fit to the lid is excellent, giving generous edges when initially forming is important to ensure the actual piece sits flat (the edges lift slightly)
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg51/Big_Valven/photo074.jpg
And the shape from underneath:
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg51/Big_Valven/photo075.jpg

More work on it tomorrow, But for fairly gentle complex shapes like this it's a hell of a lot cleaner, quicker, more consistent and easier to work with than fibreglass.

More photos - the bases have been shaped more comprehensively and the spoiler test-fitted. Things are starting to look promising.
The inner edge of the base is heated and shaped slightly for a better blend with the original spoiler especially once things are installed. You'll notice even more of the original structure has been cut.
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg51/Big_Valven/photo078-1.jpg
And test-fitted. You can see the obvious shape of the bootlid. One of the great advantages of using PVC in this situation as opposed to fibreglass is that there is minimal smoothing and finishing required on the actual PVC before painting... only the joins will really need work :)
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg51/Big_Valven/photo079.jpg
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg51/Big_Valven/photo080.jpg
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg51/Big_Valven/photo081.jpg
And the spoiler itself on the bootlid. The fit is great with only a few millimetres of tweaking needed before things could start getting glued into place. There's more preparation work yet though :) And it obviously stands out quite a lot being white, once painted it will look quite different.
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg51/Big_Valven/photo082.jpg
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg51/Big_Valven/photo084.jpg
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg51/Big_Valven/photo087.jpg

Yes, I know I will need to provide clearance where the spoiler sits on the quarter panels, and that will come in later preparations :)
I now need to ask for some opinions... do I keep the LED stop light in the spoiler and disconnect, remove and mask the original high-mount stop lamp, or do I smooth it over and keep it simple? Either way is legal as the original light is not obscured by the bobtail. Thoughts?

[BRN 084]

Hey Big Valven, loving your work. Any updates on it so far? Very keen on doing something similar for my VX.

[Evman]

How'd I miss this thread?? :doh: Looking awesome mate keep up the good work!

[Toddler78]

:goodjob: BV you never end to amaze me with your thinking outside the box abilities.
(still looks like a senator spolier though :stick: )
mate I think piss off the centre window light and use the spolier one