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Posted by: bandjoey Nov 6 2012, 02:43 PM

Like it says. Is the lower rear valance functional or just to hide the muffler?

Posted by: Trekkor Nov 6 2012, 02:53 PM

Traps air, promotes lift at high speed.

Rear trunk mounted ducktail reduces lift.


KT

Posted by: pcar916 Nov 6 2012, 02:59 PM

It's a car designer's muffler cover. When the muffler isn't there it's an air dam and missing on track cars. I remember seeing a recent thread about some louvered factory valances but I'd consider stainless-screened grills if I thought it worth the effort for a nice street 914.

Like the rocker covers I like them to be the same color as the car. It lowers the "look" of the whole machine.

Posted by: Rand Nov 6 2012, 03:46 PM

Non functional. I rather like the looks of guts, but if you don't, you could go to great efforts to hide those mufflers and maximize air flow.

Posted by: pete000 Nov 6 2012, 04:12 PM

None of the factory GT race cars ever used them. I imagine if it did anything besides adding weight they would have left them on.


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Posted by: Cairo94507 Nov 6 2012, 05:20 PM

Probably purely aesthetics but I happen to really like the look of the short valance on a Six or any 914. And, yes....I have a deep valance for my Six but the short will go on the car to allow the bottom half of the muffler to show.

Posted by: Eric_Shea Nov 6 2012, 06:50 PM

What's a rear valance?

Posted by: WLD419 Nov 6 2012, 07:46 PM

Here's a full valance wth flow holes , Bill D.


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Posted by: dale73914 Nov 6 2012, 08:27 PM

Nice naked rear end

Cheers

Dale

Posted by: Germancar-Junkie Nov 7 2012, 06:39 AM

I'm pretty sure it is not functional. It just brings the sight line down when looking at the car from the side. The rocker panel is only +/- 4.5 inches off the ground so by comparison the bumper looks jacked up without the valance. Since I don't have a rear valance on either of my teeners, I used high temp (1400 degree) paint and sprayed it flat black to minimize the shocking size of the muffler.

Posted by: Vacca Rabite Nov 7 2012, 07:09 AM

Its non functional, but the car tends to look unfinished without one, IMHO.

Zach

Posted by: mepstein Nov 7 2012, 08:00 AM

"the car tends to look unfinished without one"

Posted by: pcar916 Nov 7 2012, 08:27 AM

If I had one it would be... an overly complicated air-dam.

Posted by: Eric_Shea Nov 7 2012, 08:58 AM

To "some" maybe...

Posted by: 6freak Nov 7 2012, 10:01 AM

they`re for nice car`s..

Posted by: pt_700 Nov 7 2012, 10:42 AM

i'd taken mine off after a recent muffler replacement led to an exhaust tip that wasn't in exactly the same place (bursch to ansa). guess i'll be like the cool kids and just leave it off!

i'll agree with some of the others above though. the car looks a bit unfinished w/o...

Posted by: Gint Nov 7 2012, 07:29 PM

I kinda like mine without...

Posted by: Pat Garvey Nov 7 2012, 07:37 PM

Your humble opinion is echoed here!
Appreciate that it isn't for every 914, but every 914 thru 72 came with one...from the Factory.

And, I fully appreciate that the later valence was a smarter piece. But period correct is just that.

Modified cars aside.
Pat

Posted by: Andyrew Nov 7 2012, 07:54 PM

I noticed an increase in stability with it off at high speeds.

Posted by: zambezi Nov 7 2012, 10:15 PM

I think it looks better with a valance, especially from the side. I also don't care to see the muffler. I do think air flow is better without it which is why the factory did not use them for the race cars. I wanted to hide my muffler, add a lower look to the car, and yet still allow air flow through to reduce lift and promote airflow for engine cooling.... So this is what I came up with.


This was the first version before I decided to improve the airflow. It definitely gave the lower lines I was after and hides the boxster muffler.






close up of the grill. Same mesh as used for engine lid


Side view. Valence will be painted black to match the bumper and rockers.

Posted by: Socalandy Nov 8 2012, 12:54 PM

had one on my 72. Yes it traps hot air but I think it finishes the back of the car off. I plan on running a short valance on my -6 in satin blk.


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Posted by: Eric_Shea Nov 8 2012, 07:47 PM

not allowed...

Posted by: 1970 Neun vierzehn Nov 8 2012, 08:16 PM

Aesthetically, the rear valence "finishes" the lower character line that starts below the front bumper, carries through below the door, and terminates below the rear bumper.

Functionally, its capacity to trap hot air below the engine and rear trunk areas is without equal......the ability to vapor lock the fuel pump on early cars while idling in 90 degree temps is remarkable

with......

and without.....


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Posted by: Socalandy Nov 8 2012, 10:47 PM

I really cant run one Damit

Posted by: Eric_Shea Nov 8 2012, 10:54 PM

Read post #22 again...

Posted by: sixnotfour Nov 9 2012, 07:58 PM

why would you cover such a nice assssssssss?


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Posted by: iamchappy Nov 9 2012, 08:54 PM

I did this treatment on mine.


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Posted by: Trekkor Nov 9 2012, 09:29 PM

I like that!


KT

Posted by: DBCooper Nov 10 2012, 10:04 AM

They're definitely functional. They make the rear-end get light at high speeds, so they work as kind of an analog speed-limiter.

By the way Trekkor, good to see you around.

Posted by: struckn Nov 12 2012, 08:56 PM

I'd might like to figure out a way to put two corner valance pieces that would cover the sides and part of the back while still allowing my ANSA pipes to show. I used silicon stove pipe heat resistant paint on the exhaust. Not sure if I like it though.

Posted by: computers4kids Nov 12 2012, 09:03 PM

Like this...

Posted by: struckn Nov 12 2012, 09:08 PM

That looks good C4Kids, where'd you get the Valance?

Posted by: computers4kids Nov 12 2012, 09:52 PM

It was on one of Jamie Rust's 914s a number of years ago. It is fiberglass and built well...it didn't have any markings on it, but doesn't look homemade.

Posted by: Germancar-Junkie Nov 12 2012, 11:12 PM

Any fiberglass masters out there that could reproduce this?
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