MTR

I just finished up installing aero mirrors on my 1990 C2. There are a few older threads I found that helped me with the install but I thought some pictures of the process and a few tips might help others out.

Tips:
1. If you buy a set of used mirrors, fully disassemble them for paint. Spend the extra time to do it right.
2. Use bullet style crimp connectors for the wiring (18-22 gauge). This makes reinstalling the original flag mirrors simple should you ever want to back. Alternatively you can solder the wires or use butt crimp connectors for a more permanent solution.
3. Be ready to use a random orbital polisher (flex/rupes/porter cable) to remove paint imperfections under the rectangular flag mirror gaskets. The cleaner/microfiber/claybar combo wasn't able to get a perfect finish.
4. Use a zip tie to prevent the car side wiring from falling into the door.
5. Make sure to feed the wires through the mirror gasket before connecting everything. An amateur mistake, but easy to make.
6. Aero mirrors normally come with 6 wires (note: mirrors with an integrated temp sensor come with 8 wires - 2 extra purple wires). The red and white wires need to be combined into 1 bullet connector.

Connecting wires:

Mirror > Car
blue > blue/red
black > black/red
white & red (combined) > white/red
brown > green/grey
brown > brown

Mirrors back from paint and fully assembled.


Aero mirror wiring with male bullet crimp connectors.


Condition of paint under the flag mirror gasket.


First attempt cleaning using quick detailer, microfiber, and claybar.


Finish after a few passes with a porter cable and some menzerna products.


Wiring on the car side.


Female connectors crimped on the car side wiring.


Before.


After.

KOTYKB

Thanks for the write up, your car looks much better with the aero mirrors

MTR

Thanks, it's funny how one small detail can transform the whole look of the car. I am normally a form follows function type so it was hard to justify the purchase, but in the end I'm very happy with the decision.

FormulaRX

Are you interested in selling your flag mirrors?

DobermanDad

Nice write up.

MTR

No I am going to hold onto them in case I ever sell the car and the buyer wants the original OEM parts.

KOTYKB

Probably a dumb question, was the first step to remove the interior door panel? Was it easy to find a mirror assembly with the mirror motor? I see a lot on eBay but its hard to know if all the parts are included and the motor is working. Did you use the OEM flag mirror bolts to fix the aero mirrors to the car?

MTR

KOTYKB here are the answers:

Probably a dumb question, was the first step to remove the interior door panel?
Everything is done from the outside. No need to remove the door panel, the mirror is held on by a single hex head bolt.

Was it easy to find a mirror assembly with the mirror motor? I see a lot on eBay but its hard to know if all the parts are included and the motor is working.
I bought used mirrors that came complete with everything except I needed to buy new OEM gaskets. You do have to be careful to purchase left hand drive mirrors because a lot of the cheaper mirrors on eBay are from right hand drive cars which are shaped differently and will not work for a LHD car. Easy way to check is the passenger mirror will read "Objects in mirror..." Also there are some non-power mirrors which I didn't want either.

Did you use the OEM flag mirror bolts to fix the aero mirrors to the car?
The aero mirrors had their own mounting bolts which I used.

onceover

Door card removal is not necessary.

Personally I de-pinned the connectors, pulled the wiring through and re-pinned it using the OEM connectors again. Feels like taking a shortcut cutting all the wires off.

Chances of a motor not working are quite slim. I wouldn't be too worried when buying a set off eBay. Thats where I got mine and havent had any issues. Just make sure theyre the correct bases (Not for a 944)

KOTYKB

/\ Thanks for the valuable information! We all appreciate it. Next mod should be the 993 door handles : )

kreeshp

Thanks OP for documenting this with a clear write up and good photos. I've been mulling over this mod for a while but haven't seen well-written instructions till yours.

toothfixer

Is that baltic blue?
nice upgrade

MTR

Yes Baltic Blue. It's a great color and my paint shop has been able to match it perfectly.

jon91581

I would also consider soldering the wires for a more permanent connection. The only tricky part with soldering is that you're limited with how much wire you have from the door and mirror. It was the first time I had ever soldered anything, but it really straightforward and easy to do.

Poli84

Thanks for this write up, something I have been thinking about lately.

I have aero mirrors installed currently (to match my Cup I wheels) however, I am in the process of refurbishing the D90's and I plan to run these for a little while to mix things up. I would like to reinstall my flag mirrors while the D90's are on if it is not too difficult.

I never did the install of the aero mirrors but assuming (hopefully), the installer also used bullet style crimp connectors to fit the aero's, should the wires on my flag mirrors simply colour match with the wires coming from the vehicle?