JandJ

Does the tail have a function?
I am close to purchasing an 84 Targa without the tail ...but it looks so cool. Can I have one installed? How much $? Is it a DIY project?
J

Viv Offord

I remember the gist of a magazine article about the functionality of the whale tail. It is supposed to reduce rear lift at speed by quite a lot. Its designed to be used with the little front rubber spoiler though as adding the rear one without the front version will produce unbalanced handling. The worst option would be a front spoiler without the rear one which would produce a car that is likely to oversteer in fast bends.

Having said that it depends how fast you (and any other driver of the car) intend to drive.

The spoilers also reduced the effects of cross winds too I seem to remember.

When standing around chatting to all your mates near the car you also have somewhere to put drinks cans etc between sips.

Viv
'85 Carrera 3.2 (with whale tail and the front bit too)

Stephen Masraum

The whaletail, ducktail, "Carrera" tail, and turbo tail. Are all very functional. The tail on an '84 would be the Carrera tail. You can get the original Porsche tail which I think runs about $800-$1000 for the kit which includes all of the pieces that you need, or you can get aftermarket one piece f/g replica tails for about $450. Another option is to find a used tail that is already painted the correct color for your car preferrably with the engine lid attached so you just bolt it on rather than having to have it painted.

As mentioned definitely get the front spoiler added too. The kit for the Porsche spoiler is about $300.

Both would make a fine DIY project.

Mike hachey

here is something to consider.It is likely the car you are looking at,if stock,does not have the rear Turbo flares. If this is the case the only wing to consider is the early Turbo,or Carrera style. If you choose the "Duck" the vintage will not compliment your new ride,and their bloody expensive. If you choose the "Tea tray Turbo wing" you will probably agree it is to much wing for the narrow body cars. Have a look at Ruf's early "Yellow Bird",perfect look,purposeful and will not look out of place on the narrow body cars. Good luck. Mike. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Carlos Artal

I own a turbolook 3.2 ´86 carrera. I have no rear wing (whaletale was there when I bought it), but the looks of the car are so much nicer without the tail, I would never put it back...

I think "sleek" is the word I´d put here for it...

;-)

H. D. Smith

I am also looking for the tail upgrade for my 1975 911S Coupe...so if you are able to find a good deal, let me know.

Bill Gregory

If you want to see the specs on 911's with and without various front and rear spoilers and valances, read Paul Frere's "Porsche 911 Story". The Carrera tail and front valance do wonders to reduce lift, with the effects kicking in around 50-60 mph with increasing effectiveness to the top end, around 140-150 mph. Due to it's shape, the turbo tail actually provides a little bit of downwards pressure (as opposed to lift reduction). Steve Masraum gave a good view of the general costs of the various spoiler options. Note too that if you put a rear tail on you need to put the front valance extension on, to provide aerodynamic balance.

Carlos, one of the reason's Porsche on the 964's and 993's went to a retractable spoiler, was to retain the traditional 911 shape (as you mentioned you like it) yet provide the aerodynamic/cooling benefits at speed.

KOAN

I had an opportunity to do a side by side test with a friend at Mid Ohio a few years ago. We both had '87 911s, with the same tires. Mine had the turbo tail and front chin spoiler, and my friend had neither. We were going about 120-125 mph. on the back straight, and I pulled away. My car was rock solid, but my friend told me that his 911 was getting a little "floaty", so he let up. While I like to think that my guards red was a faster color than his black, I must conclude that the turbo tail/chin spoiler do generate appreciable downforce at those speeds. I do think that the turbo tail is a bit of a strong visual cue for the narrow body 911, but I was happy to have it, and even happier that the PO had paid for it.

Jeff Curtis

To answer your question - BOTH!! Form and function are major benefits of fitting a tail to your 911.

There are several versions available for your application...the most popular being the "Carrera" Tail. They can be found on the classifieds in original or "repro" form, ranging from @$400 to $1000...with the higher side of the prices likely being factory original decklids/pedestals and rubber lip.

You can find aftermarket ones available, in every shape and size from fiberglass/carbon fiber wizards like GT Racing and MA Shaw - just to name a few, checkout Panorama and Excellence magazine.

I have a 1991 964 that highly benefitted from adding what we call the "RSA one-piece" tail (no rubber lip) and a front splitter/spoiler - as I attend several track events a year...and aesthetically, it "woke" the car up!

FYI, the RSA tail is exactly the same as a Carrera tail.

There are LOTS of technical replies to your question, but I always thought a 911 without a tail is like a frog without webbed feet!! <img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />

...absolutely no offense intended to our "tailless" compadres.

I would say "YES" to answer the DIY question, just get a professional to paintmatch it for you.

Cupcar

As Bill Gregory stated the best discussion of this is in Paul Frere's bookPorsche 911 Story Which gives many useful facts. Most notably though is the reduction of drag and lift numbers. With the so called "tray spoiler" and front airdam lift is reduced from 397 pounds without spoilers to only 37.5 pounds with. This is around 12 to 15% of cars weight and a huge difference in stability ie less "floaty feeling" as noted by some high speed users above. A reduction in drag is achieved as well from 0.423 to 0.414 with this spoiler combination. Also the cars center of pressure is moved backward about 6 inches increasing stability in crosswinds. These pieces are not for looks only; they arn't used on the racing cars only to add advertising space! <img src="graemlins/soapbox.gif" border="0" alt="[soapbox]" /> <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

ronb

There seem to be a lot of conflicting opinions about the using front air dam without the tail. I have an sc that had a tail, now does not; still has front w rubber piece; should I be concerned?

Stephen Masraum

Ron,

When I bought my '88 it had a frt dam and no rear tail. I still haven't added a tail although I will eventually. I drive my car daily at highway speeds (average speeds in Houston are 70-80mph) and have driven it on long trips at high speed, 90-100, and I have even had the car up to it's top speed. It's pretty well planted, but the potential for high speed oversteer is greater with only the front air dam. So, be careful and a defensive driver, try to keep yourself out of situations where you might need to make a high speed reaction and you should be alright. If you track the car you will likely notice a difference since you would be taking corners/curves nearer the limit than under normal street circumstances.

Laurent

Funny enough, you'll like this one,
I'm an engeneering student and I was wondering the same thing : How much does it really help road handling?

I found that many studies have been done, and one in perticular on a Porsche 911 (year not specified, but it looks like late 70s) revealed these results :

It doesn't actually produce down force as it reduces (dramatically) lift.
Some approx. numbers:
Lift on Front axle Rear axle
Dam&Spoiler W/O - With W/O - With
50 mph 15 - 0 lb 45 - 0 lb
100 mph 150 - 15 lb 60 - 3 lb
150 mph 300 - 50 lb 150 - 10 lb

surely you can appreciate almost 300 pounds of extra down force (or less lift) at 150mph.

Laurent
76 911s

Huey58

Both!

Bill Verburg

Here are some graphs that were published in "Pano" in few years ago