duck tail or none?
 

I generally don't like the look of 911's with a spoiler.
The duck tail looks good on early cars though.

Can the benefits really be felt?
My 2.7S is not the quickest 911 by far, but if it helps I am considering fitting a duck tail for hill climb events.

I will still have the plain deck lid for every day.

I considered a C2 lid, but the weight is too much I think for my feeble 170 or so horses.

Thanks,
Jon

If you install the quack tail or any other, you should (must) install a front one to balence the aerodynamics.

Do you generate enough speed on a hill climb to necessitate a Quack lid?

I've had my '87 Carrera less than a week now, so I'm no expert on this. I was looking for one without a whale tail, but settled for one with, figuring I could always get $500 for it on eBay, if I didn't like it. I like the look of it now. I think its only practical use is to keep the rear of your car heavy with downdraft at high speeds. But I don't think it does much for normal driving, except cosmetically.

90% percent of a spoiler's function is cosmetic -- they look cool. But you're really only going to notice a significant difference at triple-digit speeds, and even then it's not a pronounced sensation, it's just the absence of some of the skittishness the cars get up above 90 or so.

If you're having temperature problems, a ducktail might help slightly, as the altered airflow might produce better intake through the grill. With regard to matching front and rear spoilers, I think it's valid, but again, only when you're trying to keep the car under control in curves where you're up above 90.

Other than that, it's for the look. And I'm not criticising by saying that. I have three different decklid/spoiler combinations that I switch between. I tell myself it's for the once-a-month track days, but the fun of the electric 964 wing going up is most apparent when some 12-year-old kid is giving you a huge thumbs up as you streak past his family's minivan on the freeway.

My .02

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Jack Olsen
My Rennlist home page • My Pelican Gallery page • My Porsche Owners Gallery page

[This message has been edited by JackOlsen (edited 07-31-2001).]

Ducktail has always been a favorite of mine. Love em, and frankly, I'd like to see more of em around.

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Kurt B
1984 Carrera Cabriolet
911 Page
carrera_cabriolet@yahoo.com

I have a ducktail on a coupe. I dropped the front end about 3/4"-1" to make up for the lack of spoiler on the front. The duck tail does make a difference. I believe I have read somewhere the speeds when these tails begin having an effect. I do remember that the duck tail will make an effect in the two digit range of speeds. It is the only tail that I know of that will do any work at speeds that we can legally drive. I actually liked the tail so well I didn't bother painting it when I installed it. I have come to find that its a factory tail.

Good luck,
David Duffield

Jack, I respectfully disagree--when I put the Carrera tail on my car to match the already-added-by-the-PO chin spoiler, I was able to detect a difference even in the 65 mph range. Crosswind sensitivity was significantly reduced as well.

I seem to post this link every month or so, but here it is:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_speed_prep/914_speed_prep.htm

Search for 'whale' (no quotes) and scroll back a few paragraphs for the skinny.



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blue
'81 SC Targa

Jon, I beleive that the duck tail actually reduces drag beleive it or not, where as the Carrera and Turbo Tails reduce lift.
But as Jack Olsen pointed out, you need to be doing triple figures to have any real effect.
I beleive that the old Porsche advertisments used to say that it was an 'improver' as opposed to a 'spoiler'. They even quoted the downforce in lbs at certain speeds!.
maybe someone can elaborate on this?.

I am very interested in your experience with hill climbs as I wish to enter this in the future when I returnto the UK.
Have you raced at Gurston Down?
Rgds Ben -currently in NY
Originally from Lymington, Hants.


[This message has been edited by 86ragtop (edited 07-31-2001).]

For most intents and purposes it is a subjective, cosmetic decision. I like 'em on Turbos, but not on other models. As for stability - I frequently had my '78 Targa over 145 and never felt any instability. Maybe it was the alcohol! I have not had my present '87 cab over 100, and it was stable enough when I got there. I have been told there is quantitative data to substantiate that there is more down force at speeds as low as 60 MPH with a tail, so if you use your P Car competitively there is a reason to have one. Other than that it is a matter of taste.

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wdarner@mysun.com
http://www.myjahlove.com

[This message has been edited by wdarner (edited 07-31-2001).]

Personally, I like the look sans tail. It harkens back to the clean and purposeful lines of the 356. That's the progenitor of our 911's.

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'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
The Blue Bomber's Website

[This message has been edited by Doug Zielke (edited 07-31-2001).]

Pick up the latest issue of 911 & Porshe World magazine, #88. Good article on the different tails and how effective they are.
You can get this magazine at Barnes & Noble bookstores.

Al

You don't need to add a front spoiler with the ducktail for use on 74 and later. The depth of the stock front bumper was designed to match the 73 and earlier front spoiler bumper. So in effect the 74 and later have a built in early "S" spoiler. Anything bigger than a ducktail requires the added front spoiler though.

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Tyson Schmidt
72 911 Cabriolet
92 C-2 Cabriolet

Thanks for all your input.

I didn't think the quack tail needed a chin spoiler either. I'm sure the '74 impact bumpered Carrera didn't.

I'm going to keep an eye out for a reasonably priced replica. If it helps a bit with cooling then I think that will be my main benefit. Top speed on the hill for me is about 100. The quickest Porsche is 130+ (Carrera 3.0RS).

Apart from price, how does the genuine Porsche tail differ from the replica items from PProducts etc.?

Cheers, Jon

I believe the original Ducktails are all metal, where as the replicas are fiberglass.

I just got a fiberglass ducktail last week. I'll be installing it soon, so I'll keep you posted on it's benefits.

I know it will upset some people that I have a quack tail on a SC, but i like the clean looks.

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Matt Chamblin
78 911 SC

Orignals were fiberglass with either a steel or aluminum frame.

Charlie

A ducktail's effect on rear end lift can be measured above 35mph and felt above 70mph. After four wheel drifting at 120mph through turn 1 at SIR in my non-tailed, S front spoilered '72S, I decided a tail is a good idea! An S spoiler is a good balance with a ducktail - for Carrera tailed cars, a Carrera front spoiler or RS spoiler is better.

Randy W

Folks: Wanted to bring this up again as I have now read the article in 911 World.

I have a '78 SC that I purchased with a front spoiler in place. The rear is clean, but I suspect the lid may not be the original as the "SC" stickon is placed nicely over the bumps generated from pushing the lid down, at the bottom, too hard!

So my question is, without an originality leaflet from the factory, can I assume that I had a Sport package that probably included the 'tail, as I do have a front spoiler, the FUCH 16"ers, etc? And can I drive this car without worry sans tail, or should I dispense of the front spoiler for whatever it was that was stock where you did *not* order the Sport package (whatever that was; can anyone educate me on what was stock for a Targa in '78 that didn't have a spoiler?).

Jw

The tail may be dangerous to pedestrians. Make sure you choose one with a rubber lip so it doesn't decapitate people.

Repeat.

[This message has been edited by orbmedia (edited 08-09-2001).]