Stillen vs OEM Rear Diffuser


Joehand1

Joehand1

Tungsten GT Owner
Sep 20, 2007
602
Hattiesburg, MS, USA
Last night backed into a curb and bent my left rear diffuser. Does anyone have the Stillen diffuser and are you happy with it?

It's 325 vs 1000 dollars, don't have the cash for the carbon fiber version...:(

How hard is it to install??
 
You have to drill out the rivets in about 25 places to replace this but it should not be that bad. Install sheet is on their site.

I have thought of swapping this out as well, even though mine is in great shape.
 
I have done this too.

The CF(Fiberglass?) is fairly easy to repair with MarineTex base/catalyst epoxy from your marine store. Then a quick coat of Semi-flat trim paint (in a rattle can) from your autobody shop and it looks nearly OEM, If you paint all the fiberglass (but not the pan itself) nobody will notice at all and all for less than 50 bucks. Even though it is in a rattle can, that trim paint is good stuff used by the body shops.

Got to get that back up camera installed. That is what I get for using a lifted F-350 (No Avon Lady tires for me) for a DD. Never concerned about parking stops. :bored
 
2112 said:
I have done this too.

The CF(Fiberglass?) is fairly easy to repair with MarineTex base/catalyst epoxy from your marine store. Then a quick coat of Semi-flat trim paint (in a rattle can) from your autobody shop and it looks nearly OEM, If you paint all the fiberglass (but not the pan itself) nobody will notice at all and all for less than 50 bucks. Even though it is in a rattle can, that trim paint is good stuff used by the body shops.

Got to get that back up camera installed. That is what I get for using a lifted F-350 (No Avon Lady tires for me) for a DD. Never concerned about parking stops. :bored
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Well, I might as well try this as the risk is only 50 bucks...

Ok, I ordered it...what kind of sandpaper do you use???
 
I damaged my splitter and have the stillen (short version) to replace it with. I had some "work" done on the car, and the guy made the OEM c/f splitter as new. I still plan on having the Stillen put on in the spring, as I don't want to "curb" it again. The Stillen is flexible, and looks OEM, just don't "touch it"!!!
 
I cleaned up the rough edges, scuffed the surrounding area and washed well. I then used oil and grease remover (paint prep). I used two bondo spatulas as a make shift mould. A clothesline clip will hold them in place. The MarineTex says "gray" but it is really black. Working time is about 20 minutes so you can really work it into the roughened edge crevices etc. Clipped the Bondo spatulas on and let set overnight.

99% of the excess extruded away from the original diffuser edge so I used a belt sander to remove the majority of the excess, then used 280, 400 and 600 to fine sand by hand. Since the paint is semi-flat, flawlessness is not needed and frankly did not exist in OEM form. Here is a pic of the Epoxy and Trim Paint. Paint prep and trim paint purchase at Auto paint specialty store, not expensive stuff.

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Another very helpful post.
 
What the Forum is all about. :thumbsup

BTW, Marine Tex is very aggressive in it's bond strength, Don't get it on anything you want to keep nice. Mineral spirits doesn't cut it that well. Orange solvent, found in many commercial grade pop up wipes does the best job cleaning up and getting it off your fingers.
 
Got it ordered, THANKS!!!!
 
Thanks! great post! Think even I could tackle this one.
 
Yeah, i broke one of mine. Stillen looks like the solution. I have a drill and riveter :)
 
Quick update....I got cold feet about attempting to fix it myself. I took it down to the local Ford dealer body shop since I know the guy who runs it. He squinted at the chewed end of the diffuser and mumbled..."we can fix that...how fast is this car?" (The dealer had one car in 2005 for about a week, before it was sold to some guy in Texas.) An old crusty body man finishing some impressive work on a 69 Camaro walked over and said.."yea, I had one in the 60s...a model of a GT 40..prettiest car ever made." He was my man...

24 hours and 180 dollars later it looks like my accident never happened...Edges smooth as new
 
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Joehand1 said:
"yea, I had one in the 60s...a model of a GT 40..prettiest car ever made." He was my man...
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Oh Yeah! It truly is a beauty. Old and New! Both are works of art. But too much fun to not drive. I look at the bumps and scratches on P1015 and am so happy that it's out working.
 
A little JB Weld will fix it too.

I switched to the Stillen diffuser a long time ago. I am not sure that it is the best choice but I don’t have a wind tunnel to test in so I just have to assume it works.
 
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