Cutting up the vortex generator (roof fin) to fit the BRZ shark fin antenna - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

chezzy79 · 09-04-2015, 01:09 PM

I just bought a vortex generator that'll fit the OEM mast antenna for cheap, so I can make the hole bigger to fit the shark fin antenna that came with my BRZ.

I'm wondering how I can go about this for best craftsmanship? I'm guessing going to a body shop would be the best way to go, does anyone have any experience with modifying ABS plastic?

Thank you for any help!

go_a_way1 · 09-04-2015, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chezzy79

I just bought a vortex generator that'll fit the OEM mast antenna for cheap, so I can make the hole bigger to fit the shark fin antenna that came with my BRZ.

I'm wondering how I can go about this for best craftsmanship? I'm guessing going to a body shop would be the best way to go, does anyone have any experience with modifying ABS plastic?

Thank you for any help!

Could you just remove then re apply the shark fin?

NyC Zn6 · 09-04-2015, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by go_a_way1

Could you just remove then re apply the shark fin?

He has a shark fin. The vortex generator they make for the frs/brz is shaped to fit the oem antenna. He wants to modify the vortex generator to fit around the shark fin. The shark fin antenna base will be larger than the oem as it literally sits on top.

chezzy79 · 09-04-2015, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by go_a_way1

Could you just remove then re apply the shark fin?

I would, but that will probably look horrible since the shark fin probably will stick out a bit and I doubt it'll sit flush.

go_a_way1 · 09-04-2015, 01:41 PM

Good points haha!

boredom.is.me · 09-04-2015, 06:43 PM

Dremel with a sanding drum
Remove very small amounts at a time
Test fit every two seconds
Send donation to my paypal account

chezzy79 · 09-08-2015, 01:00 PM

I thought about getting some dremel with a sanding drum, since it's probably not gonna go very well with a hacksaw and sandpaper.

I was looking if anybody has any idea where I can get this done professionally, but anyone?

ryoma · 09-08-2015, 05:44 PM

do vortex generators work on this car? or is it for looks? I definitely want to see pictures though after you fit it. I remember reading that roof spoilers are actually more bad than good for our car. I'm wondering if it's the same for the vortex generator

Poodles · 09-08-2015, 09:32 PM

http://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/15/ny...oor-tiles.html

It's kind of a crappy write up, but it should give you an idea of what you need to do to trace the contour. Once you have that, you can easily overlay it over the part and find out where it needs to be modified.

chezzy79 · 09-10-2015, 11:51 AM

Thanks for the suggestions so far, I got a perspex cutter, hot knife, and a tile-cutting bit for power tool (as well as a fine grit dremel) to see which one will work the best.

My plan is pretty simple:

1. Take off the OEM antenna and trace the outline on the vortex generator
2. cut the outline with whatever works the best
3. sand the edges of the widened hole to smooth it out
4.????
5. Profit!

09-04-2015, 01:09 PM	#1
chezzy79 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Drives: 2015 BRZ Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 100 Thanks: 23 Thanked 37 Times in 27 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Cutting up the vortex generator (roof fin) to fit the BRZ shark fin antenna I just bought a vortex generator that'll fit the OEM mast antenna for cheap, so I can make the hole bigger to fit the shark fin antenna that came with my BRZ. I'm wondering how I can go about this for best craftsmanship? I'm guessing going to a body shop would be the best way to go, does anyone have any experience with modifying ABS plastic? Thank you for any help! __________________ Chezzy79's BRZ Build Thread IG Account (More Pics)

09-08-2015, 01:00 PM	#7
chezzy79 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Drives: 2015 BRZ Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 100 Thanks: 23 Thanked 37 Times in 27 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I thought about getting some dremel with a sanding drum, since it's probably not gonna go very well with a hacksaw and sandpaper. I was looking if anybody has any idea where I can get this done professionally, but anyone? __________________ Chezzy79's BRZ Build Thread IG Account (More Pics)

09-08-2015, 05:44 PM	#8
ryoma Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Drives: 2015 Subaru BRZ Limited CWP Location: SoCal Posts: 1,561 Thanks: 34 Thanked 669 Times in 469 Posts Mentioned: 13 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	do vortex generators work on this car? or is it for looks? I definitely want to see pictures though after you fit it. I remember reading that roof spoilers are actually more bad than good for our car. I'm wondering if it's the same for the vortex generator __________________ My 2015 CWP BRZ Build

09-10-2015, 11:51 AM	#10
chezzy79 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Drives: 2015 BRZ Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 100 Thanks: 23 Thanked 37 Times in 27 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Thanks for the suggestions so far, I got a perspex cutter, hot knife, and a tile-cutting bit for power tool (as well as a fine grit dremel) to see which one will work the best. My plan is pretty simple: 1. Take off the OEM antenna and trace the outline on the vortex generator 2. cut the outline with whatever works the best 3. sand the edges of the widened hole to smooth it out 4.???? 5. Profit! __________________ Chezzy79's BRZ Build Thread IG Account (More Pics)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
ABS VORTEX GENERATOR	bandit0289	Exterior Parts (Aero, Lighting, Etc.)	10	10-13-2015 12:43 PM
WTB: Vortex Generator (Roof Fin) that fits shark-fin antenna, unpainted	chezzy79	Want-To-Buy Requests	0	08-29-2015 10:05 PM
front vortex generator	mokinbird87	Cosmetic Modification (Interior/Exterior/Lighting)	4	05-19-2015 08:16 PM
DIY: Rexpeed Vortex Generator	kalamitykode	DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Guides	4	05-28-2014 05:15 AM
GT86 Vortex Generator	kalamitykode	Cosmetic Modification (Interior/Exterior/Lighting)	2	04-25-2014 12:03 PM

09-04-2015, 01:41 PM	#5
go_a_way1 Not Bаnned Anymore Join Date: Jan 2015 Drives: Heavily Modified FRS Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 9,827 Thanks: 14,918 Thanked 8,275 Times in 4,797 Posts Mentioned: 355 Post(s) Tagged: 374 Thread(s)	Good points haha!

09-08-2015, 09:32 PM	#9
Poodles Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: 2015 Series.Blue Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 1,781 Thanks: 88 Thanked 781 Times in 481 Posts Mentioned: 16 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	http://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/15/ny...oor-tiles.html It's kind of a crappy write up, but it should give you an idea of what you need to do to trace the contour. Once you have that, you can easily overlay it over the part and find out where it needs to be modified.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password