Pirep early 180 wings. (in order of effectiveness)
1 Virgin wing early 180: ailerons lack authority, but effort is light. Especially scary in gusty conditions and slow on short final.
2 Bush, MidAmerica, Owl, Horton STOL kits: Slightly better aileron authority than virgin wing. Nose quite a bit higher at stall break.
3 Early stock wing with Micro VGs: Good Aileron authority in gusty wind and slow on short final. Way better ailerons than stock wing OR Horton STOL un-VGed. Nose high at stall break. (higher than you would ever pull it unless your head is up and locked)
4 Horton STOL with micro VGs: a pretty good step above #3 in stall break AOA and aileron authority
5 Sportsman STOL. cream of the crop with good aileron authority and a stall break AOA that you have to arrive at with speed and elevator authority enuff to pull the nose very high. With more normal AOA, and coordinated flight, the airplane will not stall but will mush in control. THIS IS UN-VGed!!
A Horton,Owl, Bush, MidAmerica STOL kit is just fine. NOT a detractor, nor a selling point! NOT something I would remove for a Sportsman unless it was dinged.
VGed Sportsman? I havent bothered going there on my current 180, and its been awhile since I flew a Vged Sportsman early 180.