visible23

I realize that the TT's and the Ruf's, etc. have higher top-speeds than the "regular" 993's but seeing as very few of our cars (track use not withstanding) come anywhere close to top-speed very often is the spoiler on the rear most often simply an asthetic consideration?

Alternately, if I should happen to get the TT jones would it be unwise from a safety standpoint to replace the "whale-tail" with a standard engine cover with the good-ole pop-up spoiler thingee? I love the idea of the stealth boost rocket. After having been driving turbo-charged cars for the last 10 years I am missing that rush but am not a fan of the big wings.

As always...thanks.

Matt

LuisGT3

The intercooler does not fit under the regular tail.

Martin S.

Let's say you are going 70 mph into a head wind of 30 mph. Would not the car be experiencing relative head winds of 100 mph. If this is true, yes indeed, a tail and a matched front spoiler will help the car maintain its stability. The design of the 911/993 is such that it gets lighter the faster you go....lighter in the sense that it wants to become airborne. Over 100 mph, spoilers really help.

According to Porsche, the 993 RS aero kit package reduces rear lift to 0 Lbs. at 170 mph and about 35 Lbs on the front at that speed. A knowledgeable Porsche expert has told me that the non-aero lit equipped 993 with the standard stock aero package consisting of front splitters and moveable rear tail will be at least 200 Lbs lighter at 170 mph. The stock moveable tail is about as efficient as the old Duck Tail.

When you did through Frere's The 911 Story, you'll see documentation that the 911 gets lighter with speed...and that spoilers counteract this tendency.
As I understand it, steering becomes less responsive and the car becomes more "twitchy". I say "as I understand it" because the two (2) Porsche cars I have had since 1989 (80 SC & 97 Carrera) have had spoilers. Porsche cars owned prior to 1989 don't count for me as I never really pushed them that hard nor took them to the track (73 911T, a 74 911)

I have had my car to 125 mph on a big sweeper at Willow Springs Raceway in Cali. It was rock solid, no twitch to speak of. Some anecdotal evidence: I took my neighbor for a ride in my car (Clearly he is insane!). He observed the ease at which I could negotiate that section of the track...his car was identical to mine suspension wise...but he had not installed the 993 aero kit. He said that he could barely keep his car on the road...very twitchy and not that stable. Note he installed the 993 RS aero kit shortly thereafter: His handling trouble on the section of track went away.

My personal conclusion: I am very pleased to have the 993RS aero kit on my car. It gives me confidence that the car will respond to steering input regardless of speed, and that the rear end will stay down. That makes my day!

Mark in Baltimore

Exactly.

Marc in AK

You should probably actually look at a TT........this is no Subaru intercooler............as mentioned, your standard lid won't fit....

Giantviper

Yes, the standard 993 deaklid will not fit on a regular 993TT as the intercooler is too big but i did read an article in Exellance a few issues back that was about a guy that had a 993TT that had not tail. Ht ecar actualy was converted from a N/A. I do not remmeber where the intercollers were moved to or whose turbo kit its was but i think it ended up being as fast as a stockTT (could be wrong) and he cept the standard 993 N/A Decklid. I think the aricle was titled something along the lines of the ultimate sleeper.

177mph

that article also mentioned that the car was easy to maintain - even with all the extra crap they stuffed under the decklid. I find that VERY hard to believe...

Traffic53

maybe i'm missing something? i thought our wing was to aide in cooling.? when you look at the way the grill is designed, it seems to promote airflow through the wing and into the engine bay. the retractable wing doesn't seem very tough either. if it has any effect on downforce, it certainly isin't at 50mph. so why make it raise at 50? effective airfoils don't have slats.

i could have it all wrong too.

mborkow

the ruf module changes the speed at which the spoiler is deployed to 80 mph. therefore, i think it is safe to say that at speeds of <80, you don't need the spoiler (to deploy)

c993k

I need it to put my coffee on when I'm waxing the car.

Sputnik

"I need it to put my coffee on when I'm waxing the car".
LOL!

adams993

The RUF module is up at 70 down at 15.
ADAM

Joe S.

Coffee?? How about a good place to hold a beer!

FLA997

Although I do agree that the primary function of any given tail on your cars was to house an intercooler, by looking at the angle of the "fins" in my S tail (NA C2S), you can clearly see that these fins scoop in air as it comes ofer the car into the engine compartment. Im talking about the black insert piece under the painted top portion in the photo below:

Traffic53

i agree. the retractable wing offers spit in the way of downforce. not to mention, i could probably rip it off with one hand while holding a glass of fine whiskey in the other...and have a smoke...all without disturbing my vises.