Jim Howley

I have been wondering about fitting a front splitter to my car and wondered if anyone has any experience of this.

I remember reading an article in 911 & Porsche World about an RS which had one fitted and it mentioned that it improved the handling / stability. Is this true, if so what kind of improvements are we talking about?

At the end of the day my reasons for doing this are mainly cosmetic so is it possible to fit a 993 splitter to a 964 as I prefer the way it looks to the 964 part?

Thanks,

Jim.

Bill Gregory

Jim,

The factory started adding front splitters to 964's on the Carrera RS 3.8 in 1993. Where they added splitters they also had a wing on the rear. Today you have several options: Porsche/TechArt, RUF, MA Shaw, FVD, Cargraphic, and others offer various valances and splitters. Here are pictures of two, the RUF valance and the Porsche/TechArt splitter. Note the RUF valance is what you see, the Porsche/TechArt splitter replaces both black plastic bottom pieces at the front.

<img src="http://members.rennlist.com/sansho/RUF1.jpg" alt=" - " />
<img src="http://members.rennlist.com/sansho/Techart%20spoiler.jpg" alt=" - " />

I would only put a front splitter or valance on if you also have a rear wing that you've added. The stock rising wing doesn't count. It's important to keep both front and rear aerodynamically balanced. If you want to read some factory stats on how front and rear spoilers and valances affect aerodynamic load, see Paul Frere's "Porsche 911 Story".

Ruairidh

I like the MA Shaw splitter seen in this <a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/cgi-bin/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=25;t=000392" target="_blank">thread from the 964 Turbo board</a>. I do agree with Bill about the need to keep the balance of the original design.

Jim Howley

I agree that MA Shaw splitter is pretty smart.

My car is turbo bodied and has a turbo rear wing so balance shouldn't be a problem.

Manny Alban

Just some food for thought. I got a GT-2 style front splitter from TRE Motorsports (evidently its the same style splitter as Racers Group albeit cheaper..no affiliation with either group, although I'm open for sponsorships). Anyways, because I installed it incorrectly, I lost it mid way thru the Sebring Club Race weekend. My crew said I lost it during the second lap of the race and I never suspected any loss of balance or performance. In fact, I set my fastest lap ever without a splitter. I guess I should mention that I did have a 3.8 RSR wing. Fast forward a few weeks later, while I'm waiting for my new splitter to arrive, I go to Summit Point for a three day event. Still, I feel no difference, even though I am technically 'unbalanced' (maybe they meant the driver and not the car). Last weekend I go to VIR for four days and voila, suddenly, no turn it, braking very poor...boy, maybe I really did need that front splitter..wrong! Turns out it's a very loose wheel bearing nut (what's the torque of a nut you can turn by hand??? Well, that was mine and I needed 350lbs). Soooo, you can imagine how much nicer the car handles when the wheel isn't wobbling under braking and pushing the pads back into the pistons. So, with a tight nut, I go back out and improve my lap times considerably from last year. So, now I can't wait to put the splitter on and see if it slows me down or speeds me up, either way, I'll probably leave it on because, much like the wing, the coolness factor far outweighs any performance advantages

Don't mean to question all you engineers out there, but I wonder how much it really affects our cars in the real world versus on paper and how much is in our heads. After talking to several friends who upgraded to wings and splitters, they agreed that they never felt a difference.

John Boggiano

If the wings and splitters do increase downforce then, presumably, they will also increase drag.

No free lunch there, then.

shaker71

Does the splitter increase downforce by creating drag or reducing drag?

It seems that a splitter would redirect the air around the front end reducing turbulence in front of the car. This would reduce the build up of air in front of the car and under the car sending it around the front of the car. This would reduce front end lift caused by the excessive air the vehicle was pushing. I think the glass is half full (better performance less drag) than half empty.

John Boggiano

I have the distinct feeling I am going to say something stupid (Who's that giggling at the back?!) but...

Is it a fact that there is a difference between a wing like the '73 RS (falls to knees) & the 964/993s have and the ones like the newest GT3?

The former seem to be about disrupting the airflow to separate it from the back of the car - reducing lift, rather than creating downforce.

The latter looks more like a true 'wing' which could produce real downforce.

Will both increase drag, or is the 'difference' purely one of degree anyway?

Sorry - gone a little O/T, but closely related!

Bill Gregory

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica"><strong>The former seem to be about disrupting the airflow to separate it from the back of the car - reducing lift, rather than creating downforce.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">John,

You're correct. Both the duck tail and the Carrera/RS America tail reduce lift. The Turbo tail, since it sits a bit higher and has the curved sides, produced a bit of downforce.