986 aero & cooling mods

[j.fro]

In the past couple of months there's been some thread content regarding aero and cooling mods. Didn't want to hijack, so here's a thread for this subject. The recent "no bumperettes" thread had some questions about getting heat out from around the muffler, so here's pics of my solution.


First off are the rear bumper vents. Unfortunately, between the aluminum bumper and the body there is a body seam that blocks flow. I bent this downwards, opening a gap between the two. I have also removed all of the heat shielding from beneath the trunk and around the aluminum bumper. I've had the car set up like this for more than a year. No noticeable differences in coolant temps, but when the car is in grid, I'll put my hand over the vents and can feel plenty of heat coming out.
The second pic is new for this year. I've opened up the rear wheel housings to increase airflow to the muffler. We'll have to see how it goes.

[Allen K. Littlefield]

Thanks Fro, interesting approach.

AKL

[The Radium King]

I've thought about the 'parachute' effect when the oem muffler was replaced with a smaller aftermarket muffler, and how you could vent the rear bumper cover to avoid it. also thought about adding something like this that would run from the transmission pan to the rear bumper cover (trim the cover so that the diffuser came just under the licence plate) - one on each side of the exhaust outlet:

Universal Rear Diffuser Kit Under Body Spoiler Increased Down Force Reduce Drag | eBay

[j.fro]

The universal diffuser is interesting. I've thought about adding something like that and exiting the exhaust behind the rear wheels.
Anybody got a DIY for making a wind tunnel?😃

[KRAM36]

You could buy this Duraflex rear bumper, cut it out and use mesh like in the picture.

[IMG]http://www.****************************************/images/duraflex/body-kits/104994-2.jpg[/IMG]

1997 2004 Porsche Boxster Duraflex Maston Rear Bumper Body Kit | eBay

I bought one to put on my car, unfortunately it arrived damaged. I can tell you this though while it was in my hands. They don't do a great job on the fiberglass laying. Will need lots of prep work.

[j.fro]

Did Porsche ever publish aero data for either of the 986 aero kits?

[jaykay]

Kirk on here did this...



Bumper off so one might see where to trim the heat shield..

[Reebuck1]

WOW !! This is great.

[jaykay]

....and Toms BSR

[j.fro]

While we're doing semi-naked tail shots:

You can see the lip that I had to bend up to create airflow. I do put the rear aluminum bumper back on, just in case. I have no quantitative data, but I believe that my spoiler configuration creates a low pressure area that helps pull air/heat through the vents in the bumper cover. The back end of the car certainly gets dirty quickly!

[Allen K. Littlefield]

Originally Posted by jaykay

Kirk on here did this...



Bumper off so one might see where to trim the heat shield..

Boy that sure changes the back end. Can I ask again where can you get those LED taillights? Thanks for the pics.

AKL

[The Radium King]

dunno about tail lights, but that's a gemballa rear bumper. unobtainium currently, and requires a special exhaust to match it. probably have to assume the bumper is gone in that install as well. ever looked at what eric did with his rear bumper cover - removed everything below the trim line.

[j.fro]

Moving on up the car...
Who's had those little air dams in front of the wheels get taken out? Maybe a better question is, who's still got 'em intact?
Here's my mod, fabbed from a special Porsche Tequipment landscape edging:

[BYprodriver]

Anyone consider doing what Porsche did to cool the muffler & install a 03-04 rear bumper cover?

[j.fro]

Originally Posted by BYprodriver

Anyone consider doing what Porsche did to cool the muffler & install a 03-04 rear bumper cover?

Are you talking about the lower treatments here? I thought that was cosmetic.

[BYprodriver]

2003 press info listed the rear bumper redesigned to enhance muffler cooling.

[KRAM36]

Originally Posted by j.fro

Are you talking about the lower treatments here? I thought that was cosmetic.

Unless someone makes a bumper like that tailored to a 2002 and older Boxster, you would need to change out the rear spoiler too.

[Dlirium]

Originally Posted by jaykay

Kirk on here did this...



Bumper off so one might see where to trim the heat shield..

I really want to hate this, but it is WAY too cool!

[woodsman]

Originally Posted by KRAM36

You could buy this Duraflex rear bumper, cut it out and use mesh like in the picture.

[IMG]http://www.****************************************/images/duraflex/body-kits/104994-2.jpg[/IMG]

1997 2004 Porsche Boxster Duraflex Maston Rear Bumper Body Kit | eBay

I bought one to put on my car, unfortunately it arrived damaged. I can tell you this though while it was in my hands. They don't do a great job on the fiberglass laying. Will need lots of prep work.

Did this picture make anyone else feel sad?

[woodsman]

Originally Posted by j.fro

Moving on up the car...
Who's had those little air dams in front of the wheels get taken out? Maybe a better question is, who's still got 'em intact?
Here's my mod, fabbed from a special Porsche Tequipment landscape edging:

JFRO haven't you got an old pick-up your workin' on?