986 Performance parts wishlist

[markh]

Originally Posted by sparker

OMG, yes, diffusers - please!!! An underbody tray(s) which led up to some nice aggresive diffusers would have me 100% sold.

I really would like something like this, carbon would be nice, but alluminium or plastic would be fine:


Regards,
Sam

Count mer in for this as well, maybe a carbon lip spoiler (a bit GT3 like) that would fit on a 986 S as well would be cool

[Overdrive]

Any news from the engineering dept.?

[ryan@r2specracing]

I guess I should start by introducing myself. I am the other R in R2. I am a mechanical engineering student entering my final year of study. I am not a traditional student; I served in the US Navy from 2000 to 2006. I've always loved Porsche cars and I can't wait to own one!

Just to fill everyone in on Rayner, he is currently working an internship at Virginia International Raceway. I got to admit I'm a little jealous, but hopefully he will get some valuable experience.

I got the coil I needed for testing (thanks Harry) and everything looks as we expected. I am going to have the machine shop start on the prototype tomorrow. They will be machined out of 6061 Aluminum on a CNC Lathe. It will look amazing when finished. After a few tests, the part should be ready.

The AOS is presenting a unique challenge. I need to learn more about how the AOS works on the 986. I have looked at some stuff for Subaru, but I don't know how many modifications would be necessary to make it compatible. We can design one from scratch, but that could raise us to Porsche Motorsports price range. Stay tuned.

The skid plate seems fairly simple. I'm sure that feeling will change when I actually see the underside of a 986. I can't settle on a material. I've seen 911 skid plates made out of stainless steel and steel. I like aluminum, but it will not last nearly as long as steel. We don't have the facilities for carbon fiber, but I do have a contact that designs carbon body parts. If there is enough interest, I could ask him for a tentative quote.

On a side note… R2 Spec Racing is currently looking for a 944. We plan to begin our motorsports career with Spec 944. If anyone knows of a good 944 near Dallas, TX at a reasonable price, than let us know.

[jhandy]

on the issue of the skid plate; carbon fiber would not work. one good hit and it would shatter. The 911 version of this is stainless steel.
Just sheet metal.

there is also a nice metal front skid plate. I have gone through a plastic set already.

The rear diffuser would be nice in carbon fiber.


Also another nice idea would be if you could make a aftermarket Air box that bolted to fender like the OEM, but allowed for the placement of the cone filter (Evolution motor sports) so that it is sealed and can act like a ram air system without the hot engine air getting in.

[Overdrive]

Steel skid plate sounds good to me. I think the potential weight gain is worth the protection.

As for the diffusers, I know carbon fiber is highly desired, but how much more viable would ABS or fiberglass be for you guys to fabricate the part?

[Pat]

Originally Posted by jhandy

on the issue of the skid plate; carbon fiber would not work. one good hit and it would shatter.

This is not necessarily true. A friend and I made several carbon and carbon/kevlar belly pans for the B5 chassis Audi. We sold them for around $350 each and couldn't keep up with demand. I laid the first one we ever made out in the street and ran over it a few times, with nothing more than a minor scratch on it. Also, I hit an armadillo going ~70 mph with no consequence to the belly pan or car.
To say the skid plate would shatter is an overgeneralization IMO. It depends on the design and materials used. Ours proved to be exceptionally durable and units a few years old have sold in the secondary market for more than we charged.

[Overdrive]

Originally Posted by Pat

This is not necessarily true. A friend and I made several carbon and carbon/kevlar belly pans for the B5 chassis Audi. We sold them for around $350 each and couldn't keep up with demand. I laid the first one we ever made out in the street and ran over it a few times, with nothing more than a minor scratch on it. Also, I hit an armadillo going ~70 mph with no consequence to the belly pan or car.
To say the skid plate would shatter is an overgeneralization IMO. It depends on the design and materials used. Ours proved to be exceptionally durable and units a few years old have sold in the secondary market for more than we charged.

That's worthy of some kudos, Pat, pretty impressive item...why not do the same for the Boxsters?

Originally Posted by Pat

Also, I hit an armadillo going ~70 mph with no consequence to the belly pan or car.

...what was the consequence for the armadillo? :dance:

[timothy]

Originally Posted by ryan@r2specracing

The skid plate seems fairly simple. I'm sure that feeling will change when I actually see the underside of a 986.

I responded to Rayner's PM about using my car for measurements but never heard back. Let me know if you're interested and where/when we can meet. I don't have much spare time but am willing to help.

[jhandy]

if a pan could be made from carbon fiber strong enough not to break, I think it would be price too high.
I feel that the cost would price it out of my hands. From my point of view, a sheet of material on the bottom of my car, that no one can see, that is designed to get hit and scratched, should be as cheap and practical as possible. A press formed sheet of stainless, I would think, cost less and would sell more.

[ryan@r2specracing]

I agree that a carbon fiber skid plate is not a good idea. That's a way too expensive material for a part that is supposed to absorb impact. A carbon underbelly could be useful on the race track, but not on the street. Someone mentioned a metal skid plate to a carbon diffuser. That is the only reason carbon fiber was brought into the discussion.

I like the stainless idea, but stainless is also expensive. Not only the material cost, but there is added machining cost. It's also heavy. The weight isn't a huge problem because of the location on the car, but it is a factor that must be considered.

[sparker]

Could I request that the skid plate be alluminium or plastic?

Would also be ideal if it were made up of relatively small pieces that dzus clipped together. (this would also make shipping much much more affordable!)

Sam

[Pat]

Originally Posted by ryan@r2specracing

I agree that a carbon fiber skid plate is not a good idea. That's a way too expensive material for a part that is supposed to absorb impact. A carbon underbelly could be useful on the race track, but not on the street. Someone mentioned a metal skid plate to a carbon diffuser. That is the only reason carbon fiber was brought into the discussion.

I like the stainless idea, but stainless is also expensive. Not only the material cost, but there is added machining cost. It's also heavy. The weight isn't a huge problem because of the location on the car, but it is a factor that must be considered.

You have valid points. That said, the pan on the B5 has a few vents in it, and it would not be easily made of metal. If someone really wants one made from the OEM mold, metal is not a viable option. We were going for OEM fitment and functionality. As for the cost, yes it is expensive. That said, we couldn't keep up with demand, so I was not concerned about it. Sellers don't determine prices, buyers do. Lastly, real-world testing and usage confirmed the durability was outstanding. Keep in mind the pan was not made like a carbon body panel. it was somewhat flexible, comparable to the OEM pan.