Thinking about adding a wing

[moazam]

I'm thinking of adding a wing to the back of my 86 Coupe, but I was wondering if it is possible to have it on only sometimes.

Meaning, I'd like to drive with the wing sometimes, and without. Is this possible, or is it a pretty involved process to install and deinstall the wing?

The only reason I want to drive without the wing is because I just feel the car looks alot better without it.

[moazam]

After doing some searching, I've seen some pics of the 964 tails on older 911s. How hard is this to do and what kinda $$ are we talking here?

I didn't even know that was possible..

[surflvr911sc]

That's why I decided to go w/ the 964 retractable wing. Best of both worlds IMO.

The other way would be to have two deck lids, one w/ a wing & one w/out. A little more work, and you might end up just using one or the other after a while. This way would also allow you to have a more effective wing.

[moazam]

Originally posted by surflvr911sc
That's why I decided to go w/ the 964 retractable wing. Best of both worlds IMO.

Looks like this may be the real solution. How much should I budget for this wing and the install/modifcation?


I found the thread with some more details on the 964 wing project.

Need help in DFW area, C2 Decklid conversion on a 1972 911 Targa

[masraum]

You don't want to be installing and uninstalling the wing, and even getting the decklids on correctly is not that easy. Your best bet would be a 964 tail. You will have to use different hinges or modify your hinges (not a big deal really), you'll have to run the wiring, and you'll have to wire up a switch and remember to use it. At this point I don't think anyone here has come up with a way to make it outomatic the way it is on a 964.

[TMH]

I seem to remember seeing the 964 type wing/lids on eBay for something like $1500. Plus whatever wiring and misc hinge parts to make it fit, and to paint it to match your car.

Also, just another reason NOT to use the sometimes with wing/sometimes without idea: You will need to add a front lip spoiler to your car if you add a rear wing. Not good for the handling to have the downforce provided by the new wing without also increasing the downforce on the front end. With a 964 automatic type rear spoiler this would not be an issue: Add the front lip spoiler and leave it on. With the other idea, you would need to add or remove the front lip spoiler depending on whether you were running the rear wing.

Tom

[surflvr911sc]

I think the average price is about $500 for the 964 tail. This may or may not include wiring or the auto control box. Then you need to add the cost of paint.

Tyson has figured out the wiring for the auto window switch controller and has a diagram on Thom Fitzpatrick’s web site.here

I could get you the part number for the controller if you want. The only other part you should need is a window switch.

I think I would really like to set mine up so that it comes up w/ the ignition on and down w/ the ignition off but I have enough project going on right now. I’ll look at doing it later.

I have a front spoiler and have no problems w/out a rear as many others have also reported.

[moazam]

Originally posted by TMH
Also, just another reason NOT to use the sometimes with wing/sometimes without idea: You will need to add a front lip spoiler to your car if you add a rear wing. Not good for the handling to have the downforce provided by the new wing without also increasing the downforce on the front end.
Tom

Yuhp, actually this is exactly why I'm looking to install a wing eventually. The original owner installed a front lip spoiler on my car, but no rear wing. I sent a photo to a 911 pal and his first comment was to either get rid of the front spoiler or add a wing. I'd rather add the wing. Now I'll just have to scrounge around and find a good price on the whole setup...$1500 is a tad much.

Front spoiler, no tail:

[Series900]

we swap ducktails to iroc or 3.6RS wings on race cars depending on event. 4 bolts or allens. no a/c!!!

[surflvr911sc]

Forgot abou the a/c. You will have to loose the rear condenser, no way around it that I know of. Add $1000+- if you want to go w/ a belly condenser or like to get the a/c going again.

[widebody911]

There's deals out there - $1500 is way too much. When I put a request out when I wanted to buy one, the average was ~$400. I got one for $150, and as an added bonus, it was off of a cab!

Check out http://vintagebus.com/howto/c2-lid for details on putting one on a pre-C2

[moazam]

Originally posted by surflvr911sc
Forgot abou the a/c. You will have to loose the rear condenser, no way around it that I know of. Add $1000+- if you want to go w/ a belly condenser or like to get the a/c going again.

Oh crap.

That royally sucks. I need A.C.

*sigh*

I guess I'll have to look into a static tail then. Hopefully a normal sized Carrera wing. I'd rather not put anything big on it and I'm not a ducktail fan. :/

[Carrera Sled]

Moazam,

If you put a wing on the back, just make sure you install it upside down... sorry, just a little AE humor . Regarding the F/R balance, mine has the same setup (standard front spoiler, no tail), and the balance seems fine, even in high speed (>110 mph) turns (Hwy 60E > 101S in Tempe ).

I'm still not clear on the original spoiler/tail configurations, but it's my understanding that the wide-bodies had larger front spoilers in conjunction w/ the deck tail, and most? regular-bodies had the smaller front spoiler and no tail from the factory (i.e. decent balance). Maybe some gurus out there can shed some light on this. I agree that the car looks better without the tail (except on 930s!), and I have no plans to install one.

Nice looking car! The Euro headlights look much better than the US spec. On my "to do" list.

[moazam]

I have Euro spec lights? I didn't even know :P Wow.

[Carrera Sled]

Yup - pre-1987 USA cars originally had plain sealed beams as standard. I'd post a photo, but getting a digital camera is also on my "to do" list!

[FlaCarrera]

I agonized about putting a wing on full time, but then bit the bullet with a nice/correct used Carrera tail. Hmmm car feels better (stock chin spoiler). About a month ago I really went crazy and replaced front valence & chin spoiler with 935 (or 930?) replica spoiler. Presto the car feels fantastic (firmly planted) at speed plus no brake fade issues at latest Sebring DE...ducting leads direct from former fog light openings to the front hubs.

Yes, I kept the stock valence for a future buyer. Here's a shot of the new black beast.
Ted in SoFla
'86 Carrera Targa
PS Michelin Pilot Sport Cups work great on a slightly damp track.

[SRISER]

Mackpipes is selling a new in the box Carrera wing. Just paint it, drill your holes, or find a predrilled decklid which I think somebody was selling about two weeks ago, and mount the sucker.

I bought a wing and attached decklid in the correct color from Einmaling in Hayward, CA. Cost a K but the pieces were perfect. It is a personal preference but I like the looks of a wing.

[moazam]

I think I'll have to get a static normal wing. I haven't noticed any effect of not having the wing until possibly this morning.

I was coming off a highway (880) exit and sped up a bit just to see what the car could do. In the turn, I probably did 50-60mph (not sure, didn't look) and I could swear I felt the rear-end get just a tad bit squirrely.

Coulda been my crappy driving, I'm not sure. I need to take the car out to an open lot or something and take some fast turns just to see what to expect in a scenario like that.

[jyl]

I have the choice of wing / no wing, since I have two decklids for my car. I prefer the wing, no question. (1) Just has that racy look. (2) I speculate it improves the cooling and AC since the wing creates a high-pressure zone where the air enters the decklid. (3) The wing is functional in that it reduces lift, more than does the 964 moveable spoiler. (4) When your hands are full and you just gotta set stuff down on your car, it's nice not to put it on the nice shiny roof.

[MotoSook]

964 decklids are not that expensive....

Thom got an excellent deal for 150, but a realistic price is probably 300-400. Just shop around and don't let the crazies on E-bay dictate market value. As for the speed dependent deployment.. you could rig something up w/o the 964 conputer..just get a digital controller with a relay output and the Autoloc switch. Tap into your speedo pulse and program the controller to deploy at so many pulses, and retract at so many pulses. But I have not been able to fine a cheap controller to do that, so for now, I just leave the tail down for my daily commute, and raise it at the track using the rear 12VDC terminals...don't know what happened to my Autoloc order.. I better check since it's been weeks!

Modifying the 964 hinge for an earlier car is not that difficult, but it helps to have a welder around...just a couple of 2 inch welds after you cut the hinge..see Jack O's pictures of the hinge. I spaced my modified hinges out a bit with nuts as spacers..and it all works fine!