Leon993

I noticed my rear wing retaining wall was cracked. Sunset Porsche told me this is one of the most common items ordered for the 993; thats code for "this is one of the biggest pieces of crap quality plastics on this car". $95.00 puts a new on on my door step.

But Im taking a different route. I consulted with my independent wrench (well respected by PCA guys around here) and he advised that: in conjunction with a delete engine cover, there is enough of an abundance of air flow going through the engine bay that should not affect your temperatures. Granted, the retaining wall creates MASSIVE air flow, nobody is denying that. But the retaining wall and rear engine cover also work hand-in-hand by creating a funnel that expels hot air through the apertures of the cover underneath.

Since I never plan to put that engine cover back on, Im going to give it a try without the retaining wall, which also, quite honestly, looks like an accordion musical box got stuck under the wing.

Today I removed it, washed the car and here's how it looks. Im very happy!

chaoscreature

It would be interesting to see some temperature data logging with/without the accordian in the back.
I almost went that route when mine fell apart, but figured the spoiler wall would provide both cooling and increase the high pressure area over the back of the car and thus lower the cars inherently bad coefficient of lift (as was intended).
I have 0 data to support either claim, but I am sure Porsche did a little bit of testing before going with it.

AOW162435

Ya think?

I've read where people claim the wall acts to drive air to the fan and to the intake.

I've also read where people claim that the plastic wall was merely added for cosmetic reasons, so the wing (when deployed) is visually tied to the engine lid.

Whatever the reason for its existence, I'd replace it if I were you. Takes all of 5 minutes.


Andreas

IXLR8

What a concept that would be...taking actual measurements instead of the usual "tales" one reads on forums.

911Dave

"delete engine cover"? Are you talking about the removal of the engine under tray?

Leon993

Dave, what I meant by engine cover was the bottom plastic tray.

Andreas, you are probably right, its sound advice to simply replace it. I may just go ahead and do that.

chaoscreature

Mine was a bit of a PITA to replace... in theory I think they are supposed to ust snap in/out but I had a heck of a time getting my old one out AND the new one in. I butchered the old one before it finally unclipped.
The advice here is sound, its better to just replace it. BUT if you happen to have a remote thermometer (like a digital oven thermometer) and want to take some engine compartment temps I am sure everyone here would find it interesting!

IXLR8

I remember seeing a bolt hole (in the cylinder head, I believe) when I had the whole exhaust system off.

I bought an M10 x 1.00 bolt that I drilled and then bonded a K-type thermocouple in for cylinder head temperature measuring purposes, but I couldn't find that bolt hole that I previously spotted.

If someone can refresh my memory as to where I saw that bolt hole, that would be great.

My plan is to data log both ambient and CHT under varying loads, with and without the engine tray and with the spoiler up and down. I have access to a nice new Graphtec GL900 8 channel data logger for that purpose.

993c4_Toronto

What's the catalogue name for this part - or the part number. I couldn't find it under 'retaining wall' and mine is cracked too - maybe ill fix it over the winter.

Thanks.

IXLR8

993 512 121 00 - rear spoiler wall.

Was US$82.94 back in 2009 from Sunset.

993c4_Toronto

Thanks for the info!

$128 from Automotion
$117 from Pelican

Submitted a price request to Sunset.

GC96

You might want to check the price at from Sonnen Porsche's online site as well. Their prices are usually pretty close to Sunset's prices. I have bought parts from both places and been satisfied with both of them.

http://www.porscheoemparts.com/parts...&siteid=215405

GC

chaoscreature

I have seen them on Ebay before as well. Worth a shot!

cabrio993

What do Porsche engineers know about? I'm sure it was put there for no reason whatsoever... ( tongue in cheek)

Go ahead and replace it. It was put there for a reason.

whidbey

Thats who I buy my parts from. Cheaper than sunset, since I live in washington state.