speedster side skirt
#61
Wide body cars (AWD, GT's) have wider rear fenders. Wouldn't they require a subtly different profile side skirt to match them? I would love to simply bolt on the factory sides but I was under the impression they would not fit.
#62
away,
The wide-body is 72.91 in wide.
The narrow-body is 71.18 in wide.
This is a difference of 1.73 inches.
So on each side, the wide-body extends an extra .865 inches (i.e. half of 1.73 for each side).
Now, I'm sure the extra .865 inch measurement is at the the belt-line of the car at the rear fenders, and probably tapers off as you move down from this point. For all we know, Porsche probably uses the same lower frame for both versions of the car, to realize manufacturing efficiencies. This way, they just need to weld in different fenders to create the premium, higher profit margin car. (Of course, I'm not saying this is the only difference, but this is one thing I would do, if I wanted to be profitable).
Nevertheless, because of the way the body tapers as you move down, the extra width will be even less than .865 inches near the bottom, even if the frames on the wide-body and narrow-body are different.
All in all, less than .865 inches lateral movement is not much for a 5 ft long plastic part to flex. You wouldn't even notice it. (And that's *IF* the width is even different at that point on the car).
The wide-body is 72.91 in wide.
The narrow-body is 71.18 in wide.
This is a difference of 1.73 inches.
So on each side, the wide-body extends an extra .865 inches (i.e. half of 1.73 for each side).
Now, I'm sure the extra .865 inch measurement is at the the belt-line of the car at the rear fenders, and probably tapers off as you move down from this point. For all we know, Porsche probably uses the same lower frame for both versions of the car, to realize manufacturing efficiencies. This way, they just need to weld in different fenders to create the premium, higher profit margin car. (Of course, I'm not saying this is the only difference, but this is one thing I would do, if I wanted to be profitable).
Nevertheless, because of the way the body tapers as you move down, the extra width will be even less than .865 inches near the bottom, even if the frames on the wide-body and narrow-body are different.
All in all, less than .865 inches lateral movement is not much for a 5 ft long plastic part to flex. You wouldn't even notice it. (And that's *IF* the width is even different at that point on the car).
Last edited by PSPorsche; 08-20-2013 at 11:05 AM.
#65
Having a look at this thread, doesn't it appear that the side skirts are two pieces? (with the lower being separate) I know looking at my narrow bodied S, the factory painted lower portion is only one piece. Even if one were to bolt up these GT2 skirts, wouldn't they sit on top of the factory portion and not sit flush as they appear in the link? Perhaps the two piece lower are Turbo/GT2/GTS specific?
Additionally, it looks to me like the profile of the WB rear fenders flare out a good bit more. Just comparing the photos in the link to my own car. While I'm sure the plastic skirts could bend a little, I'm betting it would have a gap back there on a narrow car.
Prices for the GT2 skirts also seem to be ~$900 unpainted FWIW.
Still seems like a market ripe for an aftermarket part @$400.
Additionally, it looks to me like the profile of the WB rear fenders flare out a good bit more. Just comparing the photos in the link to my own car. While I'm sure the plastic skirts could bend a little, I'm betting it would have a gap back there on a narrow car.
Prices for the GT2 skirts also seem to be ~$900 unpainted FWIW.
Still seems like a market ripe for an aftermarket part @$400.
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