DIY: Rexpeed Vortex Generator

[kalamitykode]

So this is my first DIY.. Go easy on me. I meant to take more pictures but my phone was dying and I was hot and irritable lol. I'm also doing this on my phone so I'll fix any mistakes at work tomorrow when I have a computer.

Anyways. I paid $180 for it through a 3rd party eBay vendor, including shipping and taxes, pre-painted to match my Crystal Black Silica BRZ.

What you'll need:
1) A BRZ, FR-S or GT86.
2) The Rexpeed Vortex Generator.
3) A thin roll of 3M tape. Mine came with a roll.
4) Scissors for cutting the tape.
5) A flat head screwdriver.
6) An adjustable crescent wrench (or something similar).
7) A helping hand. Someone tall works best.
8) Stuff to clean your car, like a microfiber towel.

Here's the before:



Step 1: Remove the three clips on the roof near the rear window with a flat head screwdriver. Pretty easy.
Best picture I could get, the clips already removed.



Step 2: Pull the padding on the roof down and disconnect the wire going to the antenna. You'll need to cut some tape that holds the harness up. I believe there's another clip near the driver's side in the back that you can remove to be able to pull the padding down more for easier access, but I didn't need to.

Step 3: I used an adjustable crescent wrench to unscrew the bolt holding the antenna in place. With that out, you can get outside and pull the antenna out. Up to here, you could use the same guide to install a shark fin antenna.





Step 4: Clean the car and the generator. This should really be step 1, but wipe it down again now that the antenna's off to make sure it's clean and free of marks and debris.

Step 5: Attach the (included) 3M tape to the underside of the part. I took a picture with some placement for my tape, but you really need a lot more. Make sure you get the edges, or there will be spots that are raised. The less water that could get under there, the better. It helps to place the part onto the car to see how it fits before you remove the red backing to the tape. This will show you if you're missing any edges. My part was a perfect fit, so no modification should be necessary.



Step 6: Remove the backing to the tape and carefully put it on the car. Don't apply pressure until you're sure you've got it where it needs to be. Once it looks good, apply pressure to each area for a good 20 seconds to make sure it sticks.

Here's how it should look.


Step 7: Go ahead and put the antenna back in place. To screw the bolt on, you'll need someone to stand outside and push it down while you get the bolt attached. Make sure the antenna is sitting straight, because it's easy to accidentally turn it at this point. It doesn't have as much room as it did before, but you can still get it fitted airtight with some work. I tried for 15 minutes to do this without help; it didn't work. Once that's back on, re-attach the wiring to the harness and tape it back up.

Step 8: Admire your car from afar.





Disclaimer: There are other ways to do this, I'm sure. If you have suggestions for other people trying to install it, let us know. I am not at all experienced with this kind of stuff. This and my tail lights are the first mods I've done by myself. Some of you hate this look and think it's ricey. That's fine, get it out if you need to, but it won't change the fact that I absolutely love the way my car looks with this on it. I'm fully aware that it provides no benefit in terms of speed, aerodynamics, or anything else.

It's extremely light; I'd say about 1 pound, so if you're a weight geek this is really nothing to worry about. I haven't looked into it too much, but I believe it does provide some sort of airflow benefit but ONLY if you have a large spoiler in the back.

And finally, I apologize if this DIY has been done before. I looked and didn't see one, so here you go.

[Brzzee]

Never apologize for being where you are, when you are. Nice work. Everybody's choices might not be my choices, and that's what makes the community of brothers and sisters stronger.

[kalamitykode]

Originally Posted by Brzzee

Never apologize for being where you are, when you are. Nice work. Everybody's choices might not be my choices, and that's what makes the community of brothers and sisters stronger.

Extremely well said. Thanks for the support!

[kalamitykode]

I've got a Perrin 2" shorty antenna on the way, in case anyone's interested in seeing that with it. I think a shark fin antenna should fit just fine as well, and I'll probably get one further down the road.


Edit: Here's the Perrin Shorty.

[Brzzee]

Really liking how the short Perrin antenna looks with the vortex generator. Reminds me the F/A-18E/F ECM under nose antenna array.