mdbickell

I have an '81SC that I use on the street and the track. I currently have the entire thing stock, but I'm considering adding a tail.

I'd like to hear what other's experiences and thoughts are.

I'm not a big fan of the looks of the whaletail, but if it makes a significant difference, I'd consder it. I believe there a couple different styles... turbo and carrera from the '80's. Or perhaps these are really the same spec (carrera looks smaller to me for some reason).

There's always the ducktail... its less obtrusive aesthetically.

Would either of these look odd or out of place on an '81 SC? I don't think the ducks were in use at the time my car was made so I'm not sure if it might look out of place.

This is the place to get opinions, so please fire away.

thanks for your help.
Matt

mdbickell

To be more specific... I'm most interested in the performance aspects - how much of a difference does a tail really make? What kind of downforce or lack of lift is there. Is there a noticable difference in drag?

Over what range of speeds does a tail start to matter.

After reading my original post, I realized I sounded like I was only interested in the looks. The aesthetics definately play second fiddle to performance.

ron mcatee

md, unless you are always above 80 mph, I wouldn't put one (ducktail or whaletail) on it.

Bill Gregory

If you have Paul Frere's "Porsche 911 Story" he lists the factory test data on both front valance extensions and rear tail - the combination makes significant reductions to lift. Net, adding a rear tail makes a stability difference from around 50 mph and on up. You should not add a rear tail without also adding a front valance extension - the factory never sold one without the other, for a reason. When I added a new front oil cooler in a new valance, I also added the rear tail to my 911SC. The combination made a noticeable stability improvement at the track, and was also noticeable on the highway.

JackOlsen

A tail makes a big difference in track driving, and keeps the car more settled at freeway speeds, especially in crosswinds.

The ducktail looks great on an impact bumper car:



Paul Frere documented a lot of the numbers for a tail's abilitity to reduce a 911's overall lift at high speeds:

JackOlsen

And of course, you can get one decklid with a tail, and easily swap it out with your stock decklid to have the best of both worlds.

geo.aigel

The way to go is use the 964 decklid with the electrical tail! The lid is a bolt on if you take the hinges from the 964 also. The motor can be wired, so you flip a switch in the cab and get the tail to come up.

That's what I decided upon, until I found that the 964 lids w/ tail are about a grand at the local dismantler.


Tail-less 81!

George

Jens

I've heard it said that the ducktail gets you most of the way to what the turbo tail will get you (85%????). I just happen to like the ducktail better, for the street it'll be fine. Track?...depends on how serious you are!

Whatever you decide Matt, remember to balance the car out with a front spoiler as well, it's critical to keep you out of the weeds and the shiny side up.

Jens

JackOlsen

I run one of these, occasionally. I paid $250 for the 964 lid. Here's a picture of it on my old tub:

Mark Wilson

Duck

ebsalem

IROC tail

Ottosvenice.com

If you want to go with the Duck tail I have this New never installed

Ottosvenice.com

$350

Drew Theodore

Matt, I personally like the clean look without the tail. I bought a 1976 Turbo tail, which is very similar to the tail on the 1980 Weissach 911SC. I put it on for DE events and take it off afterwards. It takes about 30 minutes to make the change once you have done it once and marked where the lid supports connect to the lid. These lids are fiberglass so are a little lighter. You can find these on Ebay.
They do make a difference over 70 mph and with cross winds.

BHMSC

Matt & Drew -

I picked up a copy of the Weissach tail at a swap meet a couple of years ago and, after lots of massaging, it is now on my '80 SC - along with the factory front chin spoiler. I haven't had it on the track yet but, on the highway, I've found the car to be much less "nervous". Logic would indicate that there's a price to be paid in aerodynamic drag so, on the track, while you may be quicker through the corners you may be a bit slower down the straights. Remember the Ruf "Yellow Bird"? - Built to maximize top speed: Narrow body and no tail. It went 200+ mph but I'll bet it was a real handful. I got the tail for my car primarily for DE use but have found that I like the way the car looks with it so I've left it on all the time.

A warning about the 964 "electric" spoiler - I originally selected it as the best of both worlds but, after some research, found that there's no room under it for the O.E. air conditioning condenser. There are, of course, alternative locations - at a price.