Porsche Red Thingy

[Germain]

Hay all,

You know that red cover with Porsche written on it that a lot of people seam to be using. The one that covers the small area between the tail lights and covers the trunk release?

Where O where did you get it from, how much, and how in the world do you get the trunk to open when it's all said and done?

Thanks.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

You mean the rear reflector, I take it.

Where? A number of places. There used to be ones made for the 914 specifically, but all that's been around for a while (except from a place in the southeast that probably has The Last One and wants you to pay a premium for that) have been 911 ones that have been cut down to fit.

How much depends on where you get them from, of course.

And how to open the rear trunk with it in place has several different possible answers.

Some people cut a hole for the stock lock button. Some people install an electric solenoid that actuates the latch. And some install another cable like the one for the engnie lid.

All three methods have their own sets of problems.

--DD

[rdupre@houston.rr.com]

I'll second what Dave said. I installed the reflector with the electronic solenoid remote kit. I love the way it makes my car look, but it does have a drawback.

Fortunately, I tried out the remote release prior to installing the reflector. It didn't have enough juice to unlock the lid. After consulting with some folks, the concensus was that the solenoid actuator was not sufficiently deep enough to create enough pull to trip the lock. I ended up fabricating another actuator connector (that's that little "L" piece of metal that attaches to the actuator and pivots into the unlock lever). The new piece had the connector opening up more than 90 degrees, thus allowing the actuator to rest further into it's enclosuer, generating more force.

The system now works, but somehow I don't trust it anymore so I'm about to fabricate a manual release also, just in case.

To get one of these reflector kits, check out eBay, I've seen several come up over the past few months.

Originally posted by Dave_Darling
You mean the rear reflector, I take it.

Where? A number of places. There used to be ones made for the 914 specifically, but all that's been around for a while (except from a place in the southeast that probably has The Last One and wants you to pay a premium for that) have been 911 ones that have been cut down to fit.

How much depends on where you get them from, of course.

And how to open the rear trunk with it in place has several different possible answers.

Some people cut a hole for the stock lock button. Some people install an electric solenoid that actuates the latch. And some install another cable like the one for the engnie lid.

All three methods have their own sets of problems.

--DD

[rfoulds]

My favorite topic to rant about... That freakin' solenoid.

First, the reflector does look nice. search on E-bay and you will find a few. widen your search to include 911 reflectors, or "rear update kits" The 911 version fits well, with minor trimming on each end.

The solenoid is a good idea, but you must first have an emergency release figured out!!!

Here is what I learned the hard way.

drill a 1/4" hole right beneath the trunk latch release. Be careful of where it comes out on the other side! depending on what muffler you are using, you either have a lot of free space right there, or none!
drill a smaller (1/8" or less) hole in the solenois actuator armbefore the pivot point. attach a sturdy wire or cable to the actuator arm, ( I used 12 gauge multi strand wire) and feed it through the first hole.
Now the wire should be coming out behind the heat shield just inside your rear valance. Just leave it hanging there, where you can easily find it. I tied a loop on the ends, so I can easily find it or you can attach a big terminal to it.
Now, when your stupid solenoid stops working, you can reach under the valance and pull that wire. Voila! the trunk pops open.

I did not do this until after me trunk was stuck. Which means I had to use the last resort to open it. I cut a big ugly 1" hole in the middle of my new Porsche reflector so that I could pop the trunk with a screw driver. When I called the assh*les (you know who) I bought the reflector and solenoid from, and told them that I had just had to trash the reflector because the solenoid that came with the kit was a piece of crap, they told me, "Uh, so? what do want us to do about it?"

Yes, I have learned who to buy parts from.

PP will always be my first choice.

So, anybody want a reflector that already has the key hole pre-cut for you?

[Ron Meier]

Ditch the damn thing - it's the six holes (maybe seven) that you drill in the rear panel to mount it that's "no bueno".

I know my 14 is a Porsche - I don't care if anyone else does (and obviously, I don't like extra holes).