How to fix an Kamei spoiler ?
 

Hi,

I bought a original Kamei spoiler last week (for 20€ !!! :D ), and I would like to try it on my 1303, in a first time just to see if it's look great or not !

But I have only the spoiler, without the fixing.

Could somebody send me some pictures, so I can see how I can fix it ?

Thank you very much
Vinz

No pictures of the mountings to hand.

Europa bumpers are needed.

It mounts to the inside of the bottom lip of the bumper, through the various holes in the bottom of the bumper.

I also tied mine to the front wings as it was flexing a bit too much.. On this pic you can just make out the mountings (very outside edges, about halfway up)... Bolts with nuts on the back of the airdam, another nut against the wing then a final nut inside the wing... BIG penny washers (covered in black tape in the case of the ones in the picture) to prevent them damaging anything.

Wont have a fast bug without an airdam now, makes the car feel much nicer at speed.

http://members.lycos.co.uk/vdubhub/a...m%20fitted.jpg

Looks cool too ;)

Cheers,
Sam C

Are the Europa bumpers different from the US-spec 1968-73 bumpers (besides the indicators)?

I have a Kamei I haven't even taken out of the packaging yet. I was told the installation was just as you described for me as well. It isn't something I'm in a hurry about because I won't consider it until the engine is upgraded. Then, I will see how much of a difference it makes and whether scraping pavement will become an issue.

I have had both types, with indicators and without... Used totally different bumper irons to mount to the car...

Worked fine with both :)

Sam C

Ahh, that's the splash of good news I wanted to see. ;) Thanks. :cool:

Can somebody tell me what are the dimension on a kamei spoiler, espacially height? I would greatly apreciate it. Thanks

BTW, French, I'm looking forward seeing you car with a kamei!!!!

:D

Be warned though... There are (at least) 2 types of kamei airdam... one for superbeetles and one for regular bugs... the ones for regular bugs dont fit easily.

Cheers,
Sam C

Interesting. Since I was part of a group buy exclusively with Super owners and some have installed theirs already, I feel fairly confident with my situation. I must say when US-spec Beetles abandoned the "towel rack" bumpers for 1968, I figured the 1968-73 bumpers were interchangeable for standards and Supers.

The next time there is a weekend day of t-shirt weather around here, I will take mine out of its shipping carton and line it up. I will check for fitment at the same time I will check to see if there will be scraping issues with my driveway. Thanks!

I knew there is a differance but what is it? I own a 1974 standard with shock absorbing bumber. Can I fit a super-b kamei? Can somebody Please tell me what is the heigth of their kamei. IT'S VERRRRY IMPORTANT. I want a set up like on the picture (same wheels, tire dimansion and ride heigth), and would like to know if I can fit a kamei on it or it's going to be too low.

Okay, I revisited the group buy at SBO.com and the vendor we purchased through (aircooled.net), and I found out some things.

Firstly and just as samcat said, there are two different Kamei spoilers. (Perhaps, I should say at least two different Kamei spoilers.) One is listed as being for "Super Beetles" and the other is listed for "1968-73 standard Beetles."

Secondly, those who had 1974 and later bumpers (North American market) had to make modifications to make them fit. It was surmised that since the rest of the world never got the larger bumpers, it was assumed by Kamei that Super Beetle bumpers would be a direct bolt-on for all Supers.

That did not deter the buyers of the later bumpers, however. I have attached a link to page 13 of that group buy where the Kamei was installed by two different people. It is very well explained complete with pics.

I realize kleinporsche has a standard and wants a measurement. On the first part, I will assume the mods made by the Super owners with the larger bumpers would coincide with what is necessary for standard owners.

I looked up the bumpers a MidAmerica and CIP, and both list the same bumpers for the same years regardless if the car in question is a Super or a standard (e.g. the 1968-73 standard and 1971-73 Super had the same part numbers for front bumpers as did 1974-77 standards and 1974-79 Supers). Therefore, I presume the differences between Kameis for standard Beetles and Kameis for Super Beetles has something more to do with other aspects than the bumpers. And if that presumption is correct, one of the differences may be its size.

I did not see any measurement actually posted. I will fetch my Kamei out of storage as soon as I can if someone else hasn't posted the dimensions kp needs.

Definatly at least 3 types now:

http://www.kabriolett.com/stvw/rarest/spoiler.jpg

VERY rare original kamei airdam... For EARLY bugs ;)

http://gutefahrt.com/stuff/kamei.jpg

Its called the Kamei Aerofix spoiler if anyones interested.

Cya,
Sam C

Oh, I just compared my original kamei super beetle airdam against the carbon dam on my car which I just found out is for a standard bug... The standard bug one is identical except its around 1.5-2" shorter... So if your very low it could be just what you need.

:)

Sam C

:D ... but $20 more expensive through aircooled.net ... :rolleyes:

Thanks guys. hey Samcat. Is your CF spoiler and kamei spoiler taller than 9"? The reason I'm asking is because I saw an airdam (other than kamei: Ronal) for sale but it's 9 inches tall and I'm wondering if it will srape the asphalt.

Secondly, do you guys know how to fit a euro bumper (with blinkers),like samcat's bumper, to a shock absorber standard????????? I 'd really like to have one of those bumpers.
Thanks for your help.

If it is Ronal I know, that seller is selling it because he is afraid of scraping. He is keeping his Kamei for a future install. The pics I saw with a Ronal installed looked like it was better suited for track racing as there was very little room between edge and street.

There is an answer/solution for the second question. I looked into it a couple of years ago when I thought I was going to buy a '75. I don't remember the full details of the swapping.

Thanks Oasis. I would love to have the details on the swapping!!!!
Secondly I know the Ronal is 9 inches, was is the heigth differance between the ronal and kamei. I saw some pretty low rides with Kamei's on. Even if it scapes a little: does not matter, it's ABS: it won't break!!!! ;)

Here you go. :) CLICK ME

I think the really low rides with the Kamei is because of some serious lowering with the front end. But I am not sure. It is my guess from my impressions of looking over many pictures of different rides.

I am so wound up about it now, I am definitely digging it out of storage and its original shipping box this weekend to give it a trial fit and measure. ;)

I think somewhere in that multipage thread I linked for you I found out what ABS was. I have no experience with it but I have heard about its resistance to breakage before. I'm glad to have your confirmation on it.

By the way, I have a 1971 Super lowered one notch with MaXX struts. I didn't do a pre-measure so I am not sure what amount it was lowered. I would guess 1½-2 inches. Suffice to say, it ain't slammed.

thanks oasis but what I wanted to know is how to get rid of the stupid shock absorbers and get brakets to bolt a european bumper..... Is there anyone who did that?

Try doing a search at SuperBeetlesOnly.com. I know this has been discussed there--probably including by someone who has done it. I will try to find it later in the day for you when I get a breather.

Thanks Oasis, you're the man. I'm not very used to Superbeetles.com

Actually, SuperBeetles.com and SuperBeetlesOnly.com are two different sites. They are both nice. The latter has more traffic as far as posts are concerned.

I found one such thread at SBO.com for you.

bumper conversion explained

Looks simple enough to the technoklutz in me. :p

I may have actually missed this, but does anyone have any ideas about repairing cracks in the spoiler?
I am now much more concerned with repairing the spoiler that i have, as they seem to have become more finite.


Thanks,


Nick

Is yours an original ABS one or is it made out of carbon fiber or some other material?

(I won't know your answer no matter what my answer is but it may help those who do know. :) )

Carbon fibre can be repaired with fibreglass.
ABS ones I have repaired using aralydite (a multipart adhesive).

Run a hacksaw blade up the split, rough sandpaper around the split (to provide a surface that the repair material can bind to. Fill it with the repair material and let it sit for a while to set.

WONT be as strong where the repair was made....

Sam C

Thanks for the info samcat, i'll look into it!

With the Kamei spoiler mounted, you will be amazed at how much more stable the car will feel at speed on the open highway. You will no longer be blown about by crosswinds and big trucks. The faster you go the more stable it feels. Now 100+mph is comfortable with no front end floating into the air, it feels more like you are on rails.

You can crack a Kamei abs spoiler if it is over flexed (if you catch a parking curb or tall speed bump or big dip or steep driveway) for normal road scrapes you will not even notice except for a little fuzz of scraped off abs. For the most part it is very durable.

I enter driveways at an angle if at all possible to help reduce the chance of scraping it. I did something stupid (ran over a tool bag and then had to back off of it) and cracked mine a little up by the bumper mount on one side. Thanks for the repair info samcat. I have another new one in a box for racing but this one is still working just fine for the street.

The instructions say to mount it to the bumper and also bolt it to the front fenders/wings to provide the proper support. One of the SuperBeetlesOnly.com members fabbed up some struts that bolted to the bumper brackets at the body to avoid driling the fenders.

The SuperBeetle Kamei is 7-1/2" (19cm) tall at the center (tallest point).

You will need to be carefull for your first few drives after it is installed until you get used to the fact of reduced ground clearance. It does not take that long to retrain your brain and it may save your spoiler from potential damage.

If you go fast, you need a Kamei!