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YOUR RESEARCHShattered Air Duct - A Big Deal?
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Replace those
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Bruce, I've replaced those on my prior 996 many times -- a result of my bad luck with the road debris.
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The actual part name is 'chassis air ducts', and my understanding is they're used for brake cooling.
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Suggestion
I would definately check with somebody that tracks their car to see if they are worth the extra money.
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Suggestion · Original poster
Sounds like an excuse to replace both items on both sides.
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A slightly arcane question:
Somehow, the air duct in front of the left front wheel seems to have been a victim of cold temps. It's shattered and half gone. I figured I'd replace it in the spring, but I wanted to confirm... what exactly is the job of this part, and should I be in a bigger hurry to replace it?
Thanks!
Bruce, I've replaced those on my prior 996 many times -- a result of my bad luck with the road debris. The actual part name is 'chassis air ducts', and my understanding is they're used for brake cooling. Very easy DIY, but they do seem fragile.
Bruce, there are three screws that hold both parts in (rubber lip and air duct per side). Before you take out the remnants, pay attention and you will see how they fit together (part is "wedged" in the front and screws in the back). I just replaced mine on both sides about a month ago.
Roger that. Sounds like an excuse to replace both items on both sides. As long as I'm busting out a screwdriver, may as well make it purty. Thanks, Don.
DFC, from my recollection, the front part isn't simply wedged in. It actually has a tab with a screw hole, and it tucks under the front bumper to be secured by the same screw that's on the bumper.
Yes, that's correct. Thanks, I should have been more clear. The front has to wedge in through a hole and the front tab is secured with a screw. A portion of for the screw hole extension actually "disappears" through the plastic molding and "reappears" where the screw hole is located. The key is to see how the remnants of the old one was installed as it took me longer to figure this out (mine were completely gone) than to install them. The three screws for the air duct are shared with the rubber lips.
Me too, Don. When my driver side shattered and ripped right off, all that was left was the rubber lip. Luckily, I still had the passenger side to use as a guide on the correct fit. Otherwise, I probably would've installed it completely wrong! BTW, Bruce, each side was $27, in case you were wondering. That was the dealer price a year ago.
They sure are fragile; any sort of impact from road debris and they're toast. I had to replaced mine 3 times. Thankfully, the 997 air duct is now one piece with the wheel well lining. No more delicate attachment points.
Thanks for that. I always have to check to see if local pricing is in the ballpark before I order from the States. Customs brokerage not always worth it...
I'm thinking I may as well get new rubber lips and ducts for both sides, in keeping with my "if you're going to fix it, you may as well make it nicer" policy.
Bruce, here is a set of the brake ducts that I saw on ebay. The seller claims they are an improved version. I need to replace mine also and plan on looking into these, since I want to track my car. I would definately check with somebody that tracks their car to see if they are worth the extra money.
"Up for auction is a pair of Porsche GT3 RS brake ducts for the front brakes. These very effective and sturdy ducts cleverly clip on to the lower suspension arms and force air passing under the car towards the brake rotors to keep them cool on the track. These are genuine Porsche parts designed for their GT3 RS race car, but they will fit on any version of the 996 or 997, including all Carrera, Turbo and GT2 models. They also fit the Boxster and Cayman. These GT3 RS ducts are much deeper, and so redirect more air to the brakes, than the ducts that come on these models.
You can see by my receipt and the screen shots of current web sites that these ducts fetch $240 or more for the pair from discount sellers. My no reserve auction is starting at just $49, which is almost 80% off the discounter's price. Even my buy-it-now price is just 1/2 of what you'd pay for new parts from an internet discounter".
I paid $10.52/ea ($21.04/pair) for the air ducts and $11.48/ea ($22.96) for the wheel lips + shipping from Sunset Imports. I find them to be great to deal with, and have great pricing.
The air ducts on ebay sold for $100 for the pair, which still seems very overpriced. I pointed them out because I thought they might be a viable upgrade. When I get mine, I will definately call Sunset.
those are 996 gt3rs brake ducts. they are very effective on the track... but they ride lower for the street.
here is a camparo... as you can see, they'll scoop up alot more air than stock.
I can always be tempted by 'better', but given that I don't have a clue how this one bought the farm, one that hangs lower and costs ten times the money might be foolish even for me.
Thanks for the idea, though.
The wheel liners (and associated air ducts and rubber lips) are different on a MY 99-01, than for MY 02+.
The installation description and prices I mentioned earlier are for a MY 99-01 (I have a MY 00), since that is what Bruce has listed in his sig.
When you order the parts, I am sure they will ask, but make sure they know the model year.
