Modifying rear spoiler operation
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Whale Tail on a 964 Targa?
Hi Everybody,
I just picked up a factory spoiler from an 86 930. I'd just like an opinion from all you Gentlemen about putting it on my grey 91 964 Targa. Note: I already have stock 17 " cup rims from a 97 993 installed.
I'm torn between keeping its purist look or upgrading its looks. I already changed the rims to the 17s and I'm pleased so far. Not only does the car look better, but it now has a wider stance which was a pleasant surprise...thus the handling is even more magical than it was before (If you can even believe that)
PLease advise.
Thanks, and take care.
Fred
I just picked up a factory spoiler from an 86 930. I'd just like an opinion from all you Gentlemen about putting it on my grey 91 964 Targa. Note: I already have stock 17 " cup rims from a 97 993 installed.
I'm torn between keeping its purist look or upgrading its looks. I already changed the rims to the 17s and I'm pleased so far. Not only does the car look better, but it now has a wider stance which was a pleasant surprise...thus the handling is even more magical than it was before (If you can even believe that)
PLease advise.
Thanks, and take care.
Fred
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: wash dc
Hey Maverick,
on my car, when I raise it manually the spoiler will stay up until I get to 50mph or over, then it will return to auto operation. Its really handy for city driving, it'll stay up all day for the most part. Personally I think there's no reason to worry much about that unit, they seem reliable. How much does the motor cost to replace in the event it does go?
One funny thing, I have a Cab, and the spoiler, which normally stays locked down when the top is lowered, about a year ago started operating like a coupe. In other words the spoiler doesn't seem to know that the top is down. No other symptoms however, the 'top down' light in the clock shows the top being up or down. I think thats an interesting aspect of a 3.6 911, so I'm the opposite of AXL - how can I get that thing to lower and raise more??! Just joking, but, like I said, I wouldn't worry about it, let the people behind you have something fun to look at on their uneventful drive to work.
Ken.
on my car, when I raise it manually the spoiler will stay up until I get to 50mph or over, then it will return to auto operation. Its really handy for city driving, it'll stay up all day for the most part. Personally I think there's no reason to worry much about that unit, they seem reliable. How much does the motor cost to replace in the event it does go?
One funny thing, I have a Cab, and the spoiler, which normally stays locked down when the top is lowered, about a year ago started operating like a coupe. In other words the spoiler doesn't seem to know that the top is down. No other symptoms however, the 'top down' light in the clock shows the top being up or down. I think thats an interesting aspect of a 3.6 911, so I'm the opposite of AXL - how can I get that thing to lower and raise more??! Just joking, but, like I said, I wouldn't worry about it, let the people behind you have something fun to look at on their uneventful drive to work.
Ken.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: Rome (Italy)
Please, 964Kid, can you tell the difference between spoiler behavior in coupé and cabrios?
I think it's the same. Up on 80km/h and down under 15km/h.
No matter if cab top is up or down.
Very interesting.
Herbie
I think it's the same. Up on 80km/h and down under 15km/h.
No matter if cab top is up or down.
Very interesting.
Herbie
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,104
Likes: 364
From: Upstate NY
Guys,
Just flew by from the 993 site and noticed this spoiler post. RUF does have a modified "spoiler control module" for the 993 and it works as advertised. My spoiler extends at 80 mph and retracts at 30 mph. Stops all the annoying up and down - used to extend at 45 mph and retract at 5 mph. Geez, by the time I got to the supermarket the wing would be up and down ten times.
Anyway, the RUF module is pricey, but works.
Just flew by from the 993 site and noticed this spoiler post. RUF does have a modified "spoiler control module" for the 993 and it works as advertised. My spoiler extends at 80 mph and retracts at 30 mph. Stops all the annoying up and down - used to extend at 45 mph and retract at 5 mph. Geez, by the time I got to the supermarket the wing would be up and down ten times.
Anyway, the RUF module is pricey, but works.
Race Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,240
Likes: 103
From: SoCal
Modification of the spoiler control unit is very simple.
This unit is an analogy device using standard parts,
e.g. a quad op amp, & a dual timer. There are no
digital programmed parts. The complete functional
delays and up/down speeds are set by resistors and
capacitors.
The unit senses the speedo signal and with a time
delay raises or lowers the spoiler. It also monitors the
limit switches to prevent excessive travel of the
spoiler.
The only variables are the up/down speedo values.
The delays at each speed may have to be reset,
if longer speed thresholds are desired.
This is not a major task. The cost to modify one
should be half the price of a new one on an
exchange basis. If Ruf is changing much more,
it's a ripoff.
Good Luck
Loren
This unit is an analogy device using standard parts,
e.g. a quad op amp, & a dual timer. There are no
digital programmed parts. The complete functional
delays and up/down speeds are set by resistors and
capacitors.
The unit senses the speedo signal and with a time
delay raises or lowers the spoiler. It also monitors the
limit switches to prevent excessive travel of the
spoiler.
The only variables are the up/down speedo values.
The delays at each speed may have to be reset,
if longer speed thresholds are desired.
This is not a major task. The cost to modify one
should be half the price of a new one on an
exchange basis. If Ruf is changing much more,
it's a ripoff.
Good Luck
Loren
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,104
Likes: 364
From: Upstate NY
Loren,
Do you have a DIY on modifying the spoiler control module? If you do, would you mind sharing it and I will post it on the 993 site, as the spoiler extension and retraction is a common complaint.
I believe the modified spoiler control from RUF was in the $200 range, as I said, pricey. But, they actually have it available to solve a complaint, while all you are providing is BS about how easy it is to modify the control.
Why don't you post the DIY before you call RUF's product a "ripoff"?
Do you have a DIY on modifying the spoiler control module? If you do, would you mind sharing it and I will post it on the 993 site, as the spoiler extension and retraction is a common complaint.
I believe the modified spoiler control from RUF was in the $200 range, as I said, pricey. But, they actually have it available to solve a complaint, while all you are providing is BS about how easy it is to modify the control.
Why don't you post the DIY before you call RUF's product a "ripoff"?
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Race Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,922
Likes: 1
From: London, UK
Originally posted by mike cap
But, they actually have it available to solve a complaint, while all you are providing is BS about how easy it is to modify the control.
Why don't you post the DIY before you call RUF's product a "ripoff"?
But, they actually have it available to solve a complaint, while all you are providing is BS about how easy it is to modify the control.
Why don't you post the DIY before you call RUF's product a "ripoff"?
Race Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,240
Likes: 103
From: SoCal
Mike:
You called it pricey. So I assumed as with most RUF products that it was a ripoff.
At $200, it's a bargain for anyone driving a 964. Also, why would anyone
waste time, about 2 hrs changing resistors and capacitiors, when you can
buy one? Some things are DIY (oil changes) and other things you pay for.
Have Fun
Loren
You called it pricey. So I assumed as with most RUF products that it was a ripoff.
At $200, it's a bargain for anyone driving a 964. Also, why would anyone
waste time, about 2 hrs changing resistors and capacitiors, when you can
buy one? Some things are DIY (oil changes) and other things you pay for.
Have Fun
Loren
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,104
Likes: 364
From: Upstate NY
Loren,
Your logic escapes me.
First you say "modification of the spoiler control unit is very simple", and now you say "why would anyone waste time, about 2 hrs changing resistors and capacitiors, when you can buy one?". But, you say, MOST RUF products are a "ripoff".
What a wing nut you are. Please DON'T visit the 993 site - we finally got rid of Doc Lincoln.
Your logic escapes me.
First you say "modification of the spoiler control unit is very simple", and now you say "why would anyone waste time, about 2 hrs changing resistors and capacitiors, when you can buy one?". But, you say, MOST RUF products are a "ripoff".
What a wing nut you are. Please DON'T visit the 993 site - we finally got rid of Doc Lincoln.
Race Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 4,240
Likes: 103
From: SoCal
The changing of the parts (Radio Shack types) is the simple aspect not the time involved.
A complex mod would be the reprogramming of a microcontroller based spolier unit.
Just spend the $200 and save your money sticking with doing your own oil changes
to compensate for the cost. Better yet, may be just do your own car washes.
Have Fun
Loren
'88 3.2
A complex mod would be the reprogramming of a microcontroller based spolier unit.
Just spend the $200 and save your money sticking with doing your own oil changes
to compensate for the cost. Better yet, may be just do your own car washes.
Have Fun
Loren
'88 3.2
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: Rome (Italy)
I'm thinking about a modification to my spoiler control unit.
To avoid the frequent spoiler moving, I think changing the trigger speeds (15 and 80 km/h) is not an elegant solution; Porsche designed the spoiler to raise at 80 and not higher speed to avoid excessive air pressure that could obstaculate spoiler course.
A better solution, in my mind, is to increase the delay for spoiler recall.
There is a small delay between speed falling below 15km/h and spoiler retirement, I think that delay shall be increased up to 2 minutes.
So, if the spoiler rises up, you have to stay at lease 2 minutes under 15 km/h to see it going down.
But another problem is when parking after a speed over 80km/h: if 2 minutes are not elapsed and you switch off the engine, the spoiler, with my solution, will remain up.
To avoid the frequent spoiler moving, I think changing the trigger speeds (15 and 80 km/h) is not an elegant solution; Porsche designed the spoiler to raise at 80 and not higher speed to avoid excessive air pressure that could obstaculate spoiler course.
A better solution, in my mind, is to increase the delay for spoiler recall.
There is a small delay between speed falling below 15km/h and spoiler retirement, I think that delay shall be increased up to 2 minutes.
So, if the spoiler rises up, you have to stay at lease 2 minutes under 15 km/h to see it going down.
But another problem is when parking after a speed over 80km/h: if 2 minutes are not elapsed and you switch off the engine, the spoiler, with my solution, will remain up.
