Opinions on rear spoiler - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

idheaton · 05-04-2008, 06:53 AM

Hey guys,

A friend of mine made a prototype for a rear spoiler for the boxster and just looking for some opinions.

Sorry for the crappy cellphone pics.

Thanks

rick3000 · 05-04-2008, 07:46 AM

I think it looks alright, but I wouldn't want one. It is too big, and sort of ruins the curves of the car. It sort of looks like you laid a board across the back.

The first picture looks good, the one's of the car on the road don't look good. I would make it a little smaller in length, and curve it more with the car. So instead of it coming off the car and doing a 90° bend, make it curve off the car, and then go across. This is just my opinion, which is what you said you are looking for.

FTD · 05-04-2008, 08:13 AM

Its too wide for the car and takes away from the roadster silhouette. I have only seen one that I thought was right on. Its posted somewhere on this forum. It stays within the dimension of the trunk, without impending on the rear fenders. The one in your photos, no cruelty meant to your industrious friend, isn't right for the car.

ut_cougar · 05-04-2008, 10:20 AM

I will give my opinion, no hard feelings I hope. I agree with others... it looks cool and has alot of "race" or "sportiness" to it but its not quite right for the car. The 2 middle support pillers give off too much ricer IMO. The width is too wide and its a bit too large and a bit too high, it takes away from the "slammed low phat booty" that my car has (as my friends and I often describe the car from the rear). Also the flatness of the spoiler looks "uncomplicated" and wedge shaped. It should be at angles to curves, small and tight, just enough to provide performance, low to the body, curve with the rear, and possibly integrate a small thin brake light to integrate the "stock" look. For a first attempt its a damn good job I must say.

Gary in BR · 05-04-2008, 10:24 AM

Let me start of by saying I am not a fan of any after market spoiler on the Boxsters.
In the case of this one I think it would look better if the supports where spread out more.
Just my .02

kyle986driver · 05-04-2008, 12:05 PM

I love it from every angle except for from the rear, Thats how I feel about the wing on my car, too. From the sides and front it is in my oppinion the best looking boxster wing I've ever seen. Nice job. I think that boxsters have the wrong curves for a "perfect" looking wing from the back, but i like it.

jonnycool · 05-05-2008, 05:37 AM

i like it ALOT except from the rear, like other ppl have said it's great from ever angle except the rear, it just looks too thin and weak, too many THIN straight lines compared to the boxsters curves, you've almost got it, can you maybe curve the struts slightly and put a dam coming down an inch or two from the wing? i'd give it a 9/10 for sure how it is.

jonnycool · 05-05-2008, 05:43 AM

i got a feeling that it looks better in the flesh than it does in the pics...just a feeling....

idheaton · 05-05-2008, 07:39 AM

Hi all,

In response to a few of the comments just to give a little insight to some of the design decisions....whether they worked or not....

The idea for this spoiler was was to connect the rear fenders similar to the Carrera GT to integrate it with the body, hence the extra width and resting on the fenders. Because of this the supports were placed closer to the center of the decklid to provide extra support where it was deemed needed as the outer spoiler is supported by the fenders.

I think that is is hard to get a spoiler to look like it was meant to go with the Boxster lines (or curves as the case may be). I think most spoiler out now fail in one aspect or the other and in the end come down to personal preference.

This was the first attempt and all replies and opinions are greatly appreciated...

Gary in BR · 05-05-2008, 07:57 AM

After the explanation, it is clearer what the designer was going for.

I think a rear spoiler on any car is a personal prefence. I prefer the 996/997's with a spoiler. The Boxsters with out and the Caymans with and with out.

As far as this spoiler goes I think he did a good job, I still think if there is a way to spread the supports out it would make the spoiler even better.

Continue posting any other spoiler ideas.

baseball · 05-05-2008, 10:43 AM

I hate to say this, but when I look at that spoiler all I can think of is this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRA01bO1WSY
(you need the sound on to get the full effect of this video)

2000SoCalBoxsterS · 05-05-2008, 12:10 PM

I think I like it except I don't like the center supports. Can you make it more rigid so you don't need the center supports? How functional is it? I'd be interested in a rear spoiler that actually provides good down force for the track.

djomlas · 05-05-2008, 12:35 PM

is that thing just glued on there?
heres a quick one w no supports

looks better, but doublesided tape wont hold that at over 100 or so, and i dont kno how many people would drill into their 1/4 panels for something like that

maybe its just me, but i dont see a point of putting a spoiler on a car that already has a spoiler (and a functional one too). you can go spoiler up/down with push of a button, but not in case of this one or other ones that glue on the lid

idheaton · 05-05-2008, 01:14 PM

Unfortunately, the center supports are needed otherwise you'd have to attach it at the fenders and then how would you open your trunk...

Keep the comments coming...good and bad....

Jeph · 05-05-2008, 03:21 PM

This isn't a spoiler, it's a wing. They are different in purpose/function. That's my biggest problem with this thing. I'm a fan of function over form -when it comes to a Porsche. I don't think one should strap on something like this just because it looks good. But judging by what's out on the road these days, many disagree.

This thing will cause a change in aerodynamics at speed.

But since people don't care about that and you're looking for visual feedback, I would say the the little support towers need to be a little further apart.

Benny986 · 05-06-2008, 01:09 AM

its the right height, but, too tall too quickly. make it smoother, and less abrupt. make a lil lip up at the back of the wing. and make those supports thinner, and spread them out a bit. maybe make them as wide as the third brake light.

other wise its nice. how does it rest on the fenders? is there some kind of fuzzy material under the wing, so that it doesn't scratch the fenders?

for those that think its too big. they don't know anything ; )

here is my car

Chills · 05-06-2008, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary in BR

Let me start of by saying I am not a fan of any after market spoiler on the Boxsters.
In the case of this one I think it would look better if the supports where spread out more.
Just my .02

I completely agree with both points. I don't think spoilers look good on the Boxster, but this one isn't too bad. The supports are way too close together, though.

Jeph · 05-07-2008, 06:00 PM

I saw this on the way to work today and thought of this thread.

Accords are notorious for there lack of down force on those rear wheels, despite the fact that they're front wheel drive.

And on the way home I saw this and also thought of this thread.

This is what I predict will happen at speed.

Side note: I like my phone's camera. I used to be anti-camera-phone, but I've converted.

noone986s · 05-08-2008, 04:47 AM

I think it look squite good. Not sure I would buy one though. I am yet to find one I really like. The Manthey "bi-plane" spoiler for the Cayman S is awesome but they dont do one for the 986

Jeph
Those roads look familiar, i lived in Plano for 3 years and got caught speeding twice on the 635 in my 911 SC, having a British license works every time

Jeph · 05-08-2008, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noone986s

Jeph
Those roads look familiar, i lived in Plano for 3 years and got caught speeding twice on the 635 in my 911 SC, having a British license works every time

2 things:
First, I can stare at your signature for hours.
Second, the particular stretch of highway in the Eclipse photo is 635 (or "the 635" as you call it) -specifically, Farmers Branch. That town LOVES to write tickets. It makes me sick. Seems likely that you could have been pulled over there. I know I have.