Going tail-less...handling issues?

Bez · 03-12-2005, 06:08 AM

I have an '85 turbolook cab (w/ turbo tail) and was planning on having an extra decklid (no tail) painted to match for a more subtle speedster look.

I know that removing the rear tail and leaving the front spoiler in place will affect high speed handling, but is this an issue for regular day-to-day and highway driving (<85 mph)? Would it be unsafe?

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

There will be no negative effects in normal street driving, in fact you should be able to feel appreciate the lower weight of a tailess lid.

funy1guy · funy1guy's Garage

I have an 1989 Speedster which has the turbo body but no tail and I added the front spoiler. Handles perfectly at 85+.

Brother · 03-12-2005, 07:33 AM

Pm'ed you and wrote back on the other board.

I'm not sure at what speed the tail starts helping but I'm sure it is higher than 65mph. On the highway it probably just drops you gas mileage especially with the weight.

john walker's workshop · 09:27 AM

my de-tailed '77 930. just had to be different. kinda like the look for now. it may get the RSR treatment and a duck later.

that's wierd, the pic posted as a pelican forums link.??? new deal?

(Edit: Not sure why it worked that way, but I fixed it for you.)

GeorgeK · 03-12-2005, 08:46 AM

I have 3 rear lids fo my '76 (can you say...Jack Olsen?).
At speeds above 100mph on a straight line, the rear slowly wanders. it moves slowly to one side, which catches wind and is pushed back in line, to slowly go the other side, etc.
I would not track the car witout a rear lid, but in any normal (and spirited) road driving, there's no big deal to have a front lip and no rear spoiler.
The reverse is suicidal, though.

masraum · 03-12-2005, 10:09 AM

I drove my '88 with a front lip and no tail for almost 4 years daily (the PO removed the tail and I could never budget for another). I drove aggressively and fast and never had a problem. The car felt great up to about 135, and then the backend started feeling lighter than the front.

randywebb · 03-13-2005, 10:18 AM

You can also attach a stubby piece of Al at the rear of the grill sticking up into the windstream for higher speed use. A guy around here does that whenever he goes over the mtns. No tests on its effectiveness...

Milu · 03-13-2005, 10:29 AM

I have a my88 with sport equipment and a my 89 without (no front or rear).

There's no real difference I can feel below about 120, unless there are crosswinds when the spoilers seem to help.

The rear tail does help when you are reversing as it gives a point of visibility.

Yellowbird RS · 03-13-2005, 10:33 AM

john walker, Can you post more pics. (side and rear view) please.

Yellowbird RS · 03-13-2005, 11:09 AM

ctr cabrio

GrantA · GrantA's Garage

When I took delivery of my '78 SC Targa it didn't have the rear spoiler fitted but it did have the front one, the PO removed the rear one. At 60mph it was fairly steady but above that, if there was any cross wind, it would wander and the effect got worse the faster the car went. Eventually at 95+ (I couldn't see the speedo as I was concentrating so much) I wandered across 2 lanes of the motorway (freeway) and I actually regretted buying the car. Advice from the local Independent Porsche specialist who races 911s in the Cup Series was to fit a rear spoiler and hey presto the car was transformed.

I read somewhere in this forum that a rear turbo spoiler gives 300lbs downforce at "speed", I want to stay firmly stuck to the road so that'll do me.

Grant

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1978 911SC Targa