Spoiler question

[pwafer]

I have the Carrera rear spoiler on my MY03 996 C2. I like the look of it.

Anyway, yesterday a customer (who's company also import Porsche) comented on the fitment of it. He said "did you fit that yourself?... you should have a different front spoiler if you have a fixed rear unit like that, you'll make the front end very light!" He also mentioned that Porsche had refused to supply them one with just a rear spoiler fitted for just this reason.

I have had a few scary moments while traveling 'ahem' on Autobahns where the front end was VERY floaty at high speed.

Anyone know if this is something I should be worried about ? I know at speeds of up to 100mph it's solid, but above this it does start to feel very light. (not something a collegues C4S is at all)

Paul

 

[Steve Killoran]

I also have the rear spoiler which was factory fitted as part of the Carrera aero kit which includes the side skirts and I believe a small addition to the front PU which is rubber lip. Have a chat with OPC.

This is the same issue as the the 3.2 Carrera with Sports pack which with the "tea tray" rear spoiler went a black lower lip to the front air dam.

All designed to stop front end lift.

 

[pwafer]

That's a lovely spec'd C2 you have there Steve []

Do you have any pictures that show the front bumper "lip" I should be looking for? I don't have the side skirts, just the rear spoiler.

P.

 

[Rodney Naghar]

I have the Aerokit installed, which includes the side skirts.

If you don't have the Aerokit then all cars after July '01 that were fitted with just the rear spoiler would have come as a package with the 'front lip spoiler element' fitted available as one item, Part no. 000 044 802 04.

The side skirts were then just an extra option Part no. 000 044 802 15.

I'm sure it won't be too expensive to fit/replace.

 

[NXI20]

I have the Aerokit with skirts also, but I don't have a rubber lip on the front spoiler. I have seen 147mph and it felt absolutely planted, not at all floaty.

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

Paul - I'm not an aerodynamicist, but would have thought that the extra downforce created by the larger rear spoiler will need balancing at the front. If the back end is pushed down harder, where is the front end going to go? Up. That explains the floaty feeling. I just have the standard spoiler and front PU, but it feels fine at "autobahn speeds".

I would go back to the OPC where you bought it and explain the situation, and query the safety aspect of them selling you a car with a non-standard arrangement which may be inherantly instable at high speed. (I know, its laying it on a bit thick). You never know, you might get a new front PU out of them.

 

[Rodney Naghar]

I had a look for this elusive front spoiler addition today in my car, and found a 1 inch high vertical plastic strip under the car - around 1 foot behind the front bumper, with a slight bowing. Looks like that might be it? Unless non-aerokit cars have this as well.......Richard?

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

As usual, I think I might have not engaged my brain before putting my mouth into gear.

The "CUP II" Aero Kit does have a lip along the bottom of the front spoiler. However, I looked at the TSB for the "Carrera " rear spoiler (which is what Paul and [I think] Nick) have, and it says:

"The rear spoiler has been developed, tested and approved for the following combinations:

Carrera rear spoiler with standard front spoiler;​

Carrera rear spoiler with standard front spoiler and side member trim of the aerokit Cup;​

Carrera rear spoiler with front spoiler (without lip) of the aerokit Cup;​

Carrera rear spoiler with front spoiler (without lip) and side member trim of the aerokit Cup.​

Other combinations are not permissible!"​

​

Therefore, it should be fine with the standard front PU, and the lip should not be fitted to the front. If you have the Cup II spoiler, you need the lip.​

 

[pwafer]

Excellent research guys.

My mind is at ease.... will just have to drive faster and grit my teeth []

 

[Steve Killoran]

Paul,

I think so too, its also got red brake calipers which I got FoC as they were not on the original shipping invoice to my OPC!

Sorry not been online since my reply to you. I don't have a picture as I've just replaced the front PU with a GT3 unit, a great look. Also saved me forking out an additional 20K on top of mine for a GT3.

I think most people have covered the issue rather well and I must say I've also seen 150 and its been sure footed!

 

[Rodney Naghar]

I got my info from the Porsche Tequipment website

http://www.porsche.com/middle-east/accessoriesandservice/personalisation/tequipment/911-996/exterior/?focus=heckspoilercarrera-911-996-exterieur&hideintro=true

Which says:-

'The Carrera rear spoiler offers a range of benefits on all Coupé, Cabriolet and 911 Targa models. As well as improving aerodynamic performance, the fixed rear wing is a more purposeful alternative to the standard electrically operated spoiler. To ensure optimum balance between front and rear, all post-07/01 models are also fitted with a front lip spoiler element.'[8|]

 

[pwafer]

Right, so it looks like there should be a front lip spoiler fitted to cars after 07/01 cars.

Does anyone have this spoiler, or a photo of one ?

Cheers

Paul

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

The TSB is dated Oct 2000, but hasn't been updated since which is strange. Therefore Rodney is right that post 07/01 cars should have the lip. (The UK tequipment site says the same: http://www.porsche.com/uk/accessoriesandservice/personalisation/tequipment/911-996/exterior/?focus=heckspoilercarrera-911-996-exterieur&hideintro=true). I had a look at the PET and there aren't any illustrations for the Carrera spoiler kit, just descriptions:

Looks like the spoiler itself is different for pre and post 01

 

[NXI20]

I stand corrected - it seems I do have the lip spoiler! I've just been out & taken this pic of mine. As you can see, it is set back from the front by several inches and doesn't extend anywhere near the full width of the car.

 

[pwafer]

Just been out too and I efinatly do not have a lip spoiler.....

Is that little strip of plastic really going to make much difference ?

P.

 

[NXI20]

Well, on the evidence that you find it floaty at speed without but Steve & I find ours planted with the lip, I guess that it does make a difference. Hard to believe but I don't suppose Porsche put these things on for no reason.

 

[pwafer]

I'll give OPC Tonbridge a call in the morning and ask their parts department how much it is.

I have a trip to the Nurburgring in June and want the car in top condition before I go.

Cheers guys

Paul []

 

[Rodney Naghar]

My lip spoiler looks the same as Nicks, runs from the temp sensor on the driver's side to the opening in the bumper on the left side. I think it will make all the difference because I remember a post a while back where someone thought they had a floaty front end, and that ended up being one of the small plastic 'spoilers' found in front of the front wheels being missing....if that small spoiler made a difference, this one certainly will. I've never had a floaty feeling to my car at any speed (up to 130mph).

 

[Watty]

You would be surprised how much difference a very small lip spoiler makes at high speed - it is more about disturbing the airflow and thus creating turbulence than it is about deflecting the air direction to create an upward or downward force.

If you don't believe me, ask anyone how much difference the TT spoiler made when braking from 140+ mph!!! Although the spoiler was only about 2" deep it made the difference between the back wheels actually lifting off the ground (yes, really) and helping out with the job of slowing down!

BTW I used to be an aerodynamicist...

 

[dannyp1]

I also have the Carrera Spoiler and the side skirts and I just had a look, I also have the Lip Spoiler under the nose just like Nick & Rodney.