[tamathumper]

Well, if I let others' failure deter me from trying things, I'd probably do a whole bunch of nothing. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[DaveN]

That's how you get a better mousetrap. Go for it! I have some bailing wire and string I can give you <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[flash]

lol - fair enough. let's see if i can help in the design.



from an engineer's standpoint, you have a few things to deal with.



1. the wind comes from the rear. that means that you need to be rigid enough to resist that in horizontal. that one is pretty easy, as the brace is there to provide a framework.



2. the seat back movement can cause an interference with the screen, so you need to be cognizant of that when choosing materials. too rigid and you will damage the seat back. not rigid enough, and it will break under the force of the wind. too much like a "sail" and it will get in the way of the cockpit, and make a lot of noise.



3. because the wind comes from the rear, it also has a downward flow. this is why the OEM unit has a horizontal surface. this wind is what is responsible for the disturbance of flow in the cockpit. failure to block this flow will result in your efforts being all but pointless. the problem here is the force is difficult to resist, as there is no bracing to support anything. that means that the materials chosen have to do the job all by themselves. you will have to choose a material that is very rigid, and one to which you can attach your screen material, yet not make noise by itself rattling, etc). people have tried plexiglass, and even tried reinforcing it, but it broke. it's a lot of force.



4. installation needs to be fairly simple, as you have to be able to easily get it out of the way so you can install the boot cover (since we all know it is a REALLY bad idea to run without it). due to the piss poor design of the top, and the boot cover, this makes this part tough. they really didn't think this out well. even the OEM screen is a royal pain.



i've been wrestling with this one for about 8 years now. i still haven't come up with the "perfect" solution. i have recently been thinking about redesigning the boot cover.



good luck.

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[tamathumper]

Does the rear flap have to be perfectly horizontal, or can it follow the slope of the chassis brace?

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[flash]

not sure it matters for disturbance calming, and i would think it is more just a case of needing to block the flow. the only thing i can see as a potential issue is the allowance of a pile up of air if the "horizontal" surface is too low. this would result in a lot of noise.

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[lbpesq]

[quote name='jfrahm' timestamp='1259777883' post='84183']



I do not need a bag for it as I have never removed it once I installed it.



[/quote]



I'd recommend against leaving the wind deflector installed all the time. I initially did just that and everything seemed fine at first. Then, on my way home from last year's Paso event, it got a little chilly and my wife wanted the top back up when we stopped at the Garlic Shoppe. Upon raising the roof, I noticed two small tears in the same place on either side in the back corners of the top. Upon closer inspection, I realized that when the top is lowered with the screen installed, it puts a lot of pressure in these two areas that resulted in my old top (which admittedly was a little worn) tearing in these two areas. Roughly $2K for a new top later, I ALWAYS lower the top first and THEN install the windscreen - and remove it BEFORE putting the top back up. Yes, it's more inconvenient, but so was shelling out $2K. YMMV.



Bill

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[flash]

that can easily be true with the screen installed as shipped



with the chassis brace, at least the way i have the screen installed, it's not a big deal. it stays put. in addition to replace the rear legs entirely, i replaced the front legs with velcro straps which pull down firmly.



now, i can put the top up and down and never touch the screen. it's a bit awkward with the boot though. that's the part i need to work on. i will probably work out a new tonneau, incorporating what i now make, and one that replaces the boot cover, and then modify the screen to only have the vertical surface, since the tonneau would handle the horizontal one. i've already got it worked out in my head. i just haven't had time to fiddle with it.

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[tamathumper]

With the stock wind deflector, is the mesh the same on both halves of the clamshell, or is it a tighter weave on the horizontal section?

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[DaveN]

I know Flash says it the horizontal component that is important but if your just experimenting here is an easy starting point. Maybe it would work well enough for your needs and still be easily installed/removed?

http://www.mrstitch.com/Porsche%2086%20E...lector.JPG

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[tamathumper]

I was thinking more like something installed on the cab chassis brace, rather than the seats.



How's that fabric for visibility through to the rear, though?

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[DaveN]

Your going forward right? What's your point? <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.png" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/3gears.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[flash]

lol - the wind goes over the windshield, curves down, and comes in from behind. it falls hard and in every entry point forward

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[tamathumper]

My point is I still need to be able to see out the rear view mirror, for safety and maneuverability.

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[DaveN]

I know, just couldn't resist. Maybe that's why there is a semi-circle cut out on one side. You can probably see through it just fine, 2 layers would give you less visibilty and a Moire pattern that would not be good.

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