Active spoiler: Bling it or sling it?

Right, I've done a search on this and really can't make my mind up.

I'm fitting a FMIC soon so will need to do something with the active spoiler. My options are;

1: Keep it down all the time and colour code it (not sure about ground clearance though for speed bumps etc)

2: Bin it all together.

Any opinions / experiences would be more than welcome

Get an after market bumper, then you dont have to decide

It helps with the front end stability of your car at speed. So depends if you like that sort of thing or

mine is chiped and i leave it down all the time, my car is lowered and i dont have any clearence problems

PS get your own slogan

Get an after market bumper, then you dont have to decide

Nice idea, but the insurance co (and my wallet) says no.

PS get your own slogan

LOL, yeah sorry mate, was thinking of a good title and it seemed perfect

I've got mine down but not fully so that I can still get on the drive, doesn't look as evil as I'd like but it means it's still there so it's OK

All that extra weight has to take at least 3 seconds off your 0-60, I say bin it

All that extra weight has to take at least 3 seconds off your 0-60, I say bin it

This is another reason I'm undecided... it's a heavy bugger isn't it? But as Bobbeh says it also helps with high speed stability

Oh dear, this is getting even harder.....

The actual spoiler is very light, it's the mechanism that you'll be taking off anyway that weighs a bit.

It does weight a fair bit. If it doesn't fit with what you're doing, lose it!

I must admit I like the look of the spoiler, I think it'll look better when it's painted too

Just don't want to go to all that trouble just to smack it on the first speed bump I come across.

It helps with the front end stability of your car at speed. So depends if you like that sort of thing or

Sorry Bobbeh it may appear I'm questioning everything you're saying at the moment - it's not personal, honest!

Do you think it really helps with high speed stability? I know Toyota fit it for that very reason, but it's not standard on all models so that suggests it's not such a bit deal. Also with people fitting non-standard bumpers that suggests that it doesn't really matter what's at the front - the car still appears stable.

Is the high-speed stability talk just that - talk?

After I had the active spoiler removed I noticed a big difference to front end stability and grip at 100+, particularly over bumpy roads. Below 90 there wasn't any noticeable difference.

Sorry Bobbeh it may appear I'm questioning everything you're saying at the moment - it's not personal, honest!

 

Do you think it really helps with high speed stability? I know Toyota fit it for that very reason, but it's not standard on all models so that suggests it's not such a bit deal. Also with people fitting non-standard bumpers that suggests that it doesn't really matter what's at the front - the car still appears stable.

No I agree it does make a diffrence at high speed. I noticed when mine was out of action. It just didn't seem to be as stable.

Oh great, just when I thought I'd decided to bin it

It's close - 7 to 5 in favour of binning it!

So why is not standard on all models then? That's the bit I don't understand

If it's that important then why didn't they make it standard fit?

So why is not standard on all models then? That's the bit I don't understand

 

If it's that important then why didn't they make it standard fit?

I would say cost ...Some supes also came with smaller brakes, heated seat ect ect...Just coz it works better don't mean it will be standard. All cost options...well on Jsecs anyway

When I fitted my HKS Type S FMIC I decided to secure it permanently down because I like the look of it. The high speed stability of the supra is astonishing and I wouldn't want to do anything to reduce that. Also, you will be surprised at just how light the spoiler itself is, the motor is the heavy bit and you'll remove that anyway.

As far is clearance is concerned I've never had it touch anything, even the biggest speed bumps do not catch it. Mind you I will soon be going from stock uk suspension to KYB AGX with JDM springs ( the ones that go with Bilsteins) so maybe things will change.

If you do keep it I would leave it unpainted, then you won't be gutted if it does catch now and again.

Hope this helps.

Yup, helps loads, thanks mate

why didn't they make it standard fit?

It was on the better models.

Keep it! It looks great and really improves the front end and high speed stability.

It was on the better models.

But it's not as if we're talking huge differences in performance. It's only essentially a trim difference after all.

Just seems a bit odd that if this thing adds so much to high end stability then Toyota would have made it standard fit for all the models, if only from a potential accident/courtcase point of view.

Sorry for Hi-jacking..........Not to throw a spanner in the works at all but surely an after market bumper from Bomex, Blitz etc or any other high performance racing companies I imagine would manufacture there bumpers with aerodynamics in mind.......so ditching the active front spoiler should'nt make a tremendous difference if you are running with one of these front ends should it

correct me if im wrong

It comes do to cost again. The Supra isn't dangerous without one, it's just better with one.

A bit like the brakes, it would be safer if the standrad brakes were 356mm cross drilled with 6 pots, but they aren't. They do the job.

The stability issue would never stand up in court as the speed you would need to be going for it to have a proper effect would be more than the allowable speed limit anyway.

I also think that the extra downforce the spoiler cretaes does help make the car feel more solid. Not that it feels unsafe without mind, just a little less 'planted'.