TA to ACR conversion

[Hawk]

Hi Guys
I have converted my TA into an ACR with the advanced Aero kit from Xtreme Super cars. The kit came with no instructions however Wayne was great with the communications and answering questions to assist me with the installation. The templates he provided were precise and self-explanatory. I created this post to help anyone else thinking about installing the kit. I also installed a few other CF parts along the way. I did not install the front fender vent louvers as I like the clean look of the fenders the way it is and I don’t have a big enough pair to cut into the hood at this time. I did see the post Arizona did when Pappy cut in his louvers. Cutting ACR holes on SRT hood https://driveviper.com/forums/thread...ht=wheel+vents
Perhaps I will attempt it in the future. Along with the Aero kit I will be installing MCS 2-way adjustable shocks with new coils (600# fronts and 1400# rears) that I ordered thru Mark at Woodhouse.
I apologize if my explanations or writing is not great, if anyone has question or would like additional pictures send me a PM
Just a side note I do recommend using blue Loctite on all fasteners except the screws attached to body panel clips

I will be selling the old CF tail and front splitters ,PM or check classified for ad

Here is how it went

Front splitter
Remove the nose of the car by removing all of the body screws, be careful the top screws under the hood have plastic washers under the nose. Remove the lights from the sides by twisting the holder. I had to remove the 1.0 TA front splitters by drilling out the 4 rivets that fasten it to the nose. Next using the fiberglass template mark the underside of the nose for a section to be removed. I used a jigsaw, the entire cut tucks into a slot in the front splitter. It did take a few trimmings to make for a final fit. The most difficult part of this installation is the lip that folds around the inner fender well. The template does not indicate this cut. I sanded the cut edges of the cut to round them over to make the installation into the front splitter slot a little easier. I did need to adjust the slot in the CF splitter slightly (open it up in a few areas) With Wayne’s advice I used a heat gun and some wood shingle wedges. Easy fix

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[Hawk]

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[Hawk]

To install the front splitter, you need to remove the existing panel cover under the motor and the small bracket that attached the 2 forward holes in nose that will not be used any longer. I used plastic body panel clips to fill the 8 holes from the old 1.0 splitter as well as the 2 holes from the old mounting bolts.

Use the fiberglass templates to locate the holes for the canards. These are fastened by rivets, I used SS washers to back my rivets (probably unnecessary). The rivets are the trifold style

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[Hawk]

Mount the CF splitter to the underside of the car with the 4 bolts under the motor. Before completing the installation of this part, you will need to locate the position of the inner cable supports and drill a hole in the plastic liner behind the grill. Drill a 1 ¼” hole about 1” back from the notch in the plastic (use a hole saw). I had to oval out mine as I drilled them too far forward. You do not see this once the nose is on.

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[Hawk]

Attach the 3 bolts that hold the splitter to each the front fender well. Do not tighten all the body clip screws until the end it helps make the alignment easier. The outermost hole will need to be drilled into the fender well. Next mount the 2 support cables that sit behind the grill that loop around the round frame tube behind the grill. This was a great time to install a tow hook that I pick up thru Doug Shelby. Connect the splitter extension (it is really difficult to access these screws when the nose is on). Remove the 2 bolts that hold the splitter extension support bracket to the frame. Place the support brackets in the grill loose. This is the most difficult part of the whole installation due to the number of adjustments I needed to make to the nose with the jigsaw before installing it. Catch one side around the fender well and line it up with the slot in the splitter. Do not forget to reconnect the light just the one on the starting side. Work the nose in from one side to the other carefully working it into the slot in the splitter and over the body clips. Connect the light bulb on the other side. Before pulling the nose around the fender well place the extension support brackets in the appropriate spot and lightly snug up the bolts. Pull the nose around the fender well and align all the body clips and install all the bolts holding the nose on. Install all bolts before tightening them so it will be easier to shift the nose around to the correct position. Tighten up the support brackets and connect the front cable supports. I ordered the black support cables from Doug Shelby.

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[Hawk]

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[Hawk]

Next is seemed appropriate to install CF hood vent bezels with screen that I ordered thru member DSP300C. He was a pleasure to deal with and did a quality job installing the screen to the CF bezels. The old ones are removed my pulling back in the plastic catch connected to the vent. A number of the clips broke during removal, it may have been because my shop was only 60 degrees. The new ones are held in by ¼” 3M tape. I was told a few small strips of the tape are enough to hold them on however I taped them all the way around. Tape is cheap, the vents not so much! Carbon Fiber bezels with mesh for 6 vents hood https://driveviper.com/forums/thread...ght=hood+vents
. Great fitting and much better looking than the stock ones.

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[Hawk]

Working my way back on the car I decided to install CF rear brake ducts. Here is a link from another member detailing the installation Carbon Fiber Rear Brake Ducts and Wheel Well Ducts https://driveviper.com/forums/thread...ber+Side+Ducts

The TA should have come with these from the factory. Good fit and better looking!

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[JonB ~ PartsRack]

Wayne's Stuff is OE++ Quality.
Wise move to upgrade the suspension to handle a ton of downforce....

Great outcome, thanks for the share.

[Hawk]

The rear diffuser- The CF brackets are fastened to the car by using some of the existing panel bolts and a number of compression style rivnuts. There is a fiberglass template that is a perfect mold to locate the holes for the rivnuts. Once all the templated ones are drilled you do need to hold up the 2 middle support brackets and mark the 2 forward holes that go thru the aluminum underside panel. I used a wrench and an impact gun to install all the rivnuts. Go easy with the impact gun! They do make a tool to install these but the nut and bolt method worked fine for me. The leading edge of the 2 outside brackets are held in place with 3M tape. The installation of the brackets and strakes are self-explanatory. I had to oval out a couple of the holes in the 2 outers most strakes but the alignment of the rest of the diffuser kit was precise
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[Hawk]

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[Hawk]

Rear wing. I had to remove my 1.0 wing here is the link on how I did it Best way to remove rear spoiler on a TA https://driveviper.com/forums/thread...poiler-on-a-TA
. This part was the easiest to install. Remove the rear hatch latch. There is a backing plate that reinforces the rear hatch that comes in the kit, hold it in place and drill the 4 holes. The 2 rear ones tilt the drill rearward at a slight angle. Apply 5200 adhesive around the entire backing plate, keep it back about ½” from the edge (this adhesive is difficult to get off). Attach the rear truck latch and wing support brackets and clamp the backing plate to the hatch. Make sure the hatch is flat when left to cure, it can warp the trunk if it cures sitting crooked. After the adhesive fully cures replace the support struts with the stronger one (they remove by popping the clip at the ends). Install the trunk pop kit Trunk lid pop up kit https://driveviper.com/forums/thread...lid-pop-up-kit
Attach the wing and end plates. Attach the support rubber bumpers and finally adjust the trunk latch

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[Hawk]

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[Hawk]

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[Hawk]

I will post the suspension after installation. I sent the springs out to be powder coated TA orange like the stock ones.

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[BSLSK]

Great job with the write-up. The pictures speak a thousand words and the car looks awesome. I've been curious about adding canards to mine as well. Does Xtreme send you the template or did you make that yourself?

[dsp300c]

car looks amazing with that transformation. thanks for the hood vents pics. i saved them to my customer collection. if you have anymore, please send them my way.

[Hawk]

Great job with the write-up. The pictures speak a thousand words and the car looks awesome. I've been curious about adding canards to mine as well. Does Xtreme send you the template or did you make that yourself?

All the templates came with the parts

[ptat]

Looks great! I'm curious about the holes in the front bumper from where the TA 1.0 splitter were attached prior. I noticed you added black plugs where the holes were, but are those visible now since there is an open space between the bumper and ACR splitter? I've long considered converting my car.

[Hawk]

Looks great! I'm curious about the holes in the front bumper from where the TA 1.0 splitter were attached prior. I noticed you added black plugs where the holes were, but are those visible now since there is an open space between the bumper and ACR splitter? I've long considered converting my car.

Only to road kill-the bottom of the nose tucks into the splitter
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[Scott_in_fl]

Wow, terrific job!

Now you just need to add some stickers, lol.

[zee]

Can I now say that I previously owned TA/ACR #55?? Looking good man! Happy to see you're enjoying that gorgeous beast.

[Jprince]

That is so awesome. This car looks freaking perfect with all the aero. I can't wait to get mine done the same way.

Great job and great write up and thanks for all the photos.

[Hawk]

That is so awesome. This car looks freaking perfect with all the aero. I can't wait to get mine done the same way.

Great job and great write up and thanks for all the photos.

Ship it up to Cape Cod if you cant get someone to do the installation. Hell maybe I’ll try the front fender vents (on yours first ! Ha)

[pony23]

Awesome job. The car looks great.