Possible spoiler swap with Dodge stealth?

[AnalogVX]

My spoiler looks like crap...all faded. The Stealth spoiler may be an inexpensive replacement.

Thanks fot the tip!

[VehiX]

Here's the pics I took of the stealth spoiler today along with some approximate specs.

The stealth spoiler is about 4 ft wide, the VX is slightly shorter. The stealth is about 10 inches in the middle from front to back compared to the VX's approximate 6 inches. The posts are about 16 1/2 - 17 inches apart on both. Both spoilers have 3 posts (mounting). The specs are not exactly accurate but I wanted to get an idea of what we're dealing with here. I would actually need to take them both off and swap them out to see what would need to be done in order to accomplish the swap.

Here's the pics of the car at my work parking lot. It's not mine and it looks like crap

Let me know what ya think?

[XCross69]

I say go for it, don't think it will look that bad at all!!

[Joe_Black]

As MZ-N10 points out, our spoiler serves a purpose and even though the Stealth looks similar it can't replace the VX's feature. Take a good look at the underside of our spoiler and you'll see what I mean. It really isn't a spoiler at all but serves two important functions. It directs air over the rear glass to keep it relatively clear in the absence of a rear wiper, but more importantly it smoothes the airflow at the most turbulent portion of the body which reduces drag. Lose that spoiler and lose a few miles per gallon.

[VehiX]

As MZ-N10 points out, our spoiler serves a purpose and even though the Stealth looks similar it can't replace the VX's feature. Take a good look at the underside of our spoiler and you'll see what I mean. It really isn't a spoiler at all but serves two important functions. It directs air over the rear glass to keep it relatively clear in the absence of a rear wiper, but more importantly it smoothes the airflow at the most turbulent portion of the body which reduces drag. Lose that spoiler and lose a few miles per gallon.

Due to the almost indetical design, I can't see how it would make much of a difference?

The stealth spoiler is longer front to back and will hang out over the back window about 4 inches past stock. It's also slightly wider so it may hang over the sides of the VX a little. The edges (left and right sides) are more curved towards the front of the vehicle giving a more rounded appearance that I think would complement the curves on the VX rather nicely.

As far as air flow, the underside of the stealth spoiler is pretty much the same as the VX. From what I can see, the shape of the front of the spoiler is what will direct air down over the back window. The front section of both spoilers is pretty much identical. Have you looked closely at the stealth spoiler compared to the VX?




Either way, it's still just another possible mod which is the only reason I'm posting about this. With all the VX's out there that have lift kits, Bigger tires, AC running, roofs racks with full size spares on them, I'm sure some will want to shoot for this mod if it works because, as expensive as gas is these days, not too many VX'ers are really THAT concerned about it

[Joe_Black]

Due to the almost indetical design, I can't see how it would make much of a difference?

The stealth spoiler is longer front to back and will hang out over the back window about 4 inches past stock. It's also slightly wider so it may hang over the sides of the VX a little. The edges (left and right sides) are more curved towards the front of the vehicle giving a more rounded appearance that I think would complement the curves on the VX rather nicely.

As far as air flow, the underside of the stealth spoiler is pretty much the same as the VX. From what I can see, the shape of the front of the spoiler is what will direct air down over the back window. The front section of both spoilers is pretty much identical. Have you looked closely at the stealth spoiler compared to the VX?




Either way, it's still just another possible mod which is the only reason I'm posting about this. With all the VX's out there that have lift kits, Bigger tires, AC running, roofs racks with full size spares on them, I'm sure some will want to shoot for this mod if it works because, as expensive as gas is these days, not too many VX'ers are really THAT concerned about it

I didn't mean to come off negative towards this, just informative of the possible consequences. Aerodynamics are very subtle and just "looking similar" doesn't guarantee similar results. The aft section of the VX wing is much more aggressive and tailored to the shape of the rear contour, whereas the Stealth's leading edge is designed more for clearance than flow and has no trailing edge camber. The Stealth design is for smoothing the flow for the rear deck which the VX doesn't have. I've got a Stealth and a 3000GT at my office to look at.

It would certainly give the VX a different look and should be pretty cheap to get one as there's usually a good supply of donors at most salvage yards.

[MZ-N10]

i doubt tat a wing would create tat much drag, a roof basket, or a front rack would probably cause more drag then a wing. just look at big rigs, its more important to push air out of the way then it is to smooth it as it leaves the tail of the car.

as Joe_Black said, just cause they look similar doesnt meant tat they are, im not sure if isuzu acutally wind tunneled the vx, but i would assume tat mitsu/dodge would(seeing how the stealth/3000gt was their flagship car). their purpose might not be the same, i would expect the stealth would try to get the air off the rear truck deck to help minimize drag, just look at where the steatlh's wing is mounted, its right behind the window. it would probably make more sense (might not look better or fit) to use a wing off a hatchback, ie civic hatchback.

but to each its own, i personally would go for it since it will give the vx a more agressibe look.

[sean_grigoros]

i got a 2001 vx now, but i still like my japenese version spoiler that i got back in 1998 in hong kong, the special spoiler is slightly bigger than the original one, and with color coded, anyone may know if we can get it, please let us know.

[AndyC]

Hey Vehix, That's my buddy's car in your post (blue RT) Do you know Eric? His parents live in NH but he's in SC.
Personally I don't think that the banana wing of the Stealth is going to look so hot on our VX's but that's my thoughts. The stealth spoiler has tow much of a curve on it - I think. (That banana wing is different than the VR4 wing)

Andy
VR4
VX
R1
VFR

[Navigator]

My spoiler looks like crap...all faded. The Stealth spoiler may be an inexpensive replacement.

Thanks fot the tip!

You really don't need to replace the spoiler because it's faded, all you need is Mother's Back to Black trim restorer to make ALL the black extereior parts of the VX look like new. The sun fades everything over time, so continuous maintenance with the right products will keep your vx looking like new. $4 @ AutoZone.