What are rain gutter pillar fillers?

[dd74]

A race car over in Pelican Classifieds advertises that among its modifications, it has (carbon fiber) rain gutter pillar fillers.

I have an idea of what they are, but I'm not entirely sure. In case I'm wrong, can someone tell me what rain gutter pillar fillers are, and what might be their advantage, if any?

Pics would help too.

Thanks!

[ben parrish]

I believe that the "pillar fillers" are placed over the rain gutter from the bottom of the windshield to the top. The are designed to reduce the drag and as a result they reduce wind noise; can't see much gains for anything other that top speed runs but I don't know for sure.

[SCWDP911]

Well actually, the rain gutter pillar fillers are what you must have in the event that your 911 drives through a beetle paddle rattle muddle puddle bottle battle - or something like that....

[gestalt1]

i've seen some racers put tape over the a pillar gutter sections, seems a lot cheaper than the $200 CF ones. i may try the tape method just to see if the wind noise is less.

[barney911rs]

When we painted my car, we just used body filler. Looks good and a whole lot cheaper then the after market ones.

This is from just after the car was shot about 7 years ago.

[GeorgeM]

GT Racing sells them too, in f/g.

911 Rain Gutter Block Offs: Fits inside of the front windshield rain gutter. A BIG aerodynamic advantage: $155.95/pair

[Jack Olsen]

I've used tape. It's one of those 'so you don't think you left any stone unturned modification,' like taping body seam. Real-world effect? I'm sure it's very little.

[Facey]

how do the cf ones look installed????

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally posted by Jack Olsen
Real-world effect? I'm sure it's very little.

Oh my,......not at all.

At fast, high-speed tracks such as Road America, Brainerd, Daytona, and the like, its worth up to 7 MPH.

[SCWDP911]

Originally posted by Noah
What about wind noise reduction?

If that could be accomplished, I'd tape up my gutters on the street.

ear plugs?

[Drago]

Originally posted by Noah
I want to hear the 46mm PMO's, the M&K muffler, and occasionally the radio. But not the whistling wind.

Don't forget the radar detector. A couple of guys on our run down to the R-Gruppe Treffen got bit this way. Of course, they were using headphones for their iPods.

[Noah930]

This?

[randywebb]

Yes - I sure would not pay $200 for them.

But I would expect a fair reduction in wind noise - esp. at high speeds.

[SCHNELE]

It is said to yield a gain of 5-7 miles per hour above 130mph, they were originally developed by Ruf and they do work. The pieces can't be more than $10 per piece to manufacture then add the Porsche tax.

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally posted by SCHNELE
It is said to yield a gain of 5-7 miles per hour above 130mph, they were originally developed by Ruf and they do work. The pieces can't be more than $10 per piece to manufacture then add the Porsche tax.

LOL,...Now showing how old I am, these were developed by Porsche for the '77-'79 935's. Kremer incorporated them into their K3 conversions.

I bought several sets from Porsche's racing department at Weissach back in '78 for our RSR and 935 cars. I even have a set on my old Carrera,...

If one is racing, they do indeed make a measurable difference in speed and thats quite worthwhile in that venue.

[SCHNELE]

My source is Excellence so they were wrong, and if your info is correct, I quoted a mis-stated piece of information. No need to be smug about it.

[MotoSook]

I don't think Steve is capable of being smug..and I didn't read that in his post...he was probably laughing at his age.

I didn't knew that about the pieces, Steve. Thanks for the history lesson.

[SCHNELE]

I know Steve, AND I am quite relaxed, that was said tongue in cheek. I guess I am just grumpy these days, 14 months and counting since my 930 went away for EFI conversion. Sorry no harm intended. Boy people are sensitive.

[Steve@Rennsport]

Originally posted by SCHNELE
My source is Excellence so they were wrong, and if your info is correct, I quoted a mis-stated piece of information. No need to be smug about it.

Schnele:

Not a "smug" bone in my body,...

Excellence prints a nice magazine full of useful pictures and sometimes great articles. I'm sorry to say that they are oftentimes incorrect on various things.

My apologies sir, as no disrespect was intended. I simply wanted to keep the facts straight,...

[Dave Nordhoff]

$10. You can not manufacture anything in low volume for 10 bucks.
Dave