Why do Porsches have Tails??

hbrand · hbrand's Garage

I think they are great looking without those tails.

And with some after market tails, rainwater wets the ignition and gues what happens!!!

thanks, harold

dean · 10-10-2002, 03:11 PM

Tails increase stability and you need new iginition wires my friend

MrKJBlue · MrKJBlue's Garage

1. I agree most 911 look better sans wing, but there are others that need the down force.
2. Mines got a great big vent on the deck and it rains ALL the time no prob with ignition.
3. Your in florida. rain?? its meant to be the sunshine state

10-10-2002, 03:27 PM

According to the guys that know, the tails will significantly reduce lift on the rear end of the car adding stability at speed. There are some charts posted that show the effects of the different tails. Do a search and I bet you will find it.
Mark

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

The previous explanations seen here discuss how that the tail reduces lift rather than increases downforce (semantics?). At high speeds, the car wants to lift off...front and rear spoilers help keep that tendency at bay.

autobonrun · autobonrun's Garage

When I bought my SC in 1984, I found at about 130 mph, it would move left to right without steering input from me. It wasn't unmanageable, but the front end felt light.

I added the front spoiler and tail the same year and the car became very stable. Little movement at speed and you could feel the response better when you moved the steering wheel.

If you are not going to drive at high speeds, then you can keep the non-tail look with little degredation in handling. I've heard that the impact is greatest at speeds above about 80mph.

On hind sight, what I should have done was kept my stock hood and bought another to mount the spoiler on. Then I could have shifted back to the original look in my old age.

No problem keeping the front spoiler and running without the one on the back. Vice versa is a no-no.

WydRyd · 10-10-2002, 03:57 PM

AND then there's the turbo 911's! They NEED a tail to accommodate the air-to-air intercooler

Kills two birds with one stone really. Provides housing for intercoolers and also added down-force and stability at speed

GoodMojo · 10-10-2002, 03:59 PM

On an intercooled 930, the tail is almost necessary as the increased height required by the intercooler would've made a tailless version pretty funky visually. I suppose a grill mounted intercooler may be possible but the plumbing would probably be too difficult to shoehorn in there.

s_wilwerding · s_wilwerding's Garage

Does a tail on a regular 911 (not 930) keep the engine any cooler? It seems to me that the tail directs more air into the engine compartment than having the sloped back.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Steve, Yes, that is correct. Several members here have added a tail and noticed lower temps w/o any other modification, and the reason that you stated is correct.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Denis, how goes the engine?