Porsche and PCA Terms

A
The 356A was an early 356 model built from 1956 through 1959.

ABARTH
The Abarth Carrera GTL (1960) was a racing 356 bodied by Zagato of Turin, Italy. Named for Carlo Abarth, the Viennese-born intermediary for Zagato.

AIR-COOLED
An engine cooled by the passage of air around the fins on the cylinders and the cylinder heads.

AIR
DAM See wings and spoilers.

ALLOY
1. The mixture of light metals used in the manufacture of engine and transmission parts. 2. A common name for wheels made of anything other than steel.

APEX
A point on the inside radius of a turn which helps define the ideal line through the turn. Apexes may be either before (early) or after (late) the mid-point of the turn.

B
The 356B was a 356 model built from 1960 through 1963.

BABY MOON
A type of semi-spherical hubcap on some 356 models.

BLINK
To flash your lights at a fellow Porsche driver, a friendly acknowledgement that you are driving one of the finest automobiles ever made.

BOOST
The manifold pressure generated by a turbocharging system.

BOSCH
A primary supplier of electrical components to the Porsche factory.

BOSCH INJECTION
Bosch has provided several different types of fuel injection systems for Porsche automobiles. some of these systems were purely mechanical, some were electro-mechanical and the latest are controlled by a digital computer.

BRA
A protective covering, (cloth or vinyl) fitted to the nose of a Porsche to prevent paint damage.

BRAKES
The system that stops a car by converting mechanical energy to heat. Porsche brakes have evolved from simple iron drum brakes to exotic materials and cross-drilled disc brakes.

C
The final version of the 356 was the 356C, built in 1964 and 1965.

CABRIOLET
The luxury convertible Porsche model, characterized by rollup windows and a folding top with headliner. Cabriolets were made from 1949 to 1965 in the 356 series and reintroduced in 1983 for the 911SC.

CALIPER
The part of a disc brake assembly that straddles the disc and applies pressure to the rotor via the brake pads to stop the car. The caliper assembly consists of a precision-machined hydraulic chamber and movable pistons. A caliper may be either fixed or floating and Porsche has used both types.

CAM
The engine part that either directly or indirectly actuates the intake and the exhaust valves. Porsche has used overhead valves in all its engines. The 356 and 914 engine valves are actuated by pushrods; the 911, 924, 928 and 944 have overhead camshafts. Some Porsche racing engines and the 356 Carrera engines have dual overhead cams.

CAM HOUSING
A light alloy casting used in 911 engines to hold the cam and rocker arms.

CAMBER
Outward or inward inclination of the front or rear wheels from vertical. if the wheels are closer together at the top than the bottom, the camber is negative. If they are farther apart, the camber is positive.

CARBURETOR
A device to properly mix fuel and air in the correct proportions throughout the operating range of the engine. Commonly used Porsche carburetors include Zenith, Solex and Weber.

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CARRERA
A Porsche model designation, once reserved for special or high performance limited series cars, in 1984 applied to all 911 models. The name derives from the Carrera Panamericana, the great Mexican road race of the fifties.

CASTER
A measure of the deviation from vertical of the front suspension steering axis as viewed from the side.

CHAIN TENSIONER
Devices employed on each chain, to keep 911 cam driving chains under tension. If a chain tensioner fails, it may allow the cam sprocket to skip a tooth. This can result in valves being struck by the pistons with resulting expensive damage.

CIS
Continuous Injection System (a Bosch system originally developed with Porsche) which replaces carburetion and mechanical injection systems. In the CIS, total air flow is measured and a precise amount of fuel is metered to each cylinder to provide the ideal combustion mixture. This system is self-compensating for engine temperature and atmospheric pressure. The fuel is continuously sprayed into each intake port upstream of each intake valve. The fuel-air mix is introduced into the cylinder on the intake stroke when the valve opens.

CLASSES
See PCR'S.

CONCOURS d'ELEGANCE
An event where cars are judged for cleanliness and or ginality. There are several levels of judging and many classes.

CRASH BOX
A transmission without synchronized gears, characteristic of very early Porsches (pre-1952).

CROSS DRILL
Brake rotors are transversely drilled with multiple small holes to allow dissipation of water film and heat during hard braking.

D'IETEREN
One of several independent coachbuilders who supplied-complete 356 bodies to Porsche. D'Ieteren Freres of Belgium built and painted roadsters during 1962-1963. Assembly of mechanical components was completed by Porsche.

DICE
A competition term meaning to challenge another driver for position.

DISCS
See rotor.

DRAUZ
One of several independent coachbuilders who supplied complete 356 bodies to Porsche. Drauz built and painted roadsters during 1960-1963. Assembly of mechanical components was completed by Porsche.

DRUM
The rotating part of brake systems on older Porsches and the rear of most 924s. The 911, 928, 944 and 924s with four wheel disc brakes have a vestigial drum system for the parking brake.

DRY SUMP
An engine oil system where the crankcase sump is kept dry by a low-pressure, high volume scavenger pump. The oil is pumped to a reservoir tank for accumulation. A high pressure pump delivers oil from the reservoir tank to the engine.

DUCK
TAIL See wings and spoilers.

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E
The 911E, a 911 model built from 1969 through 1973. E stands for Einspritz or fuel injection.

EVENTS
Many Porsche Club regions hold similar events and call them different names. The following are types of events: Autocross, concourse drivers ed, drivers school, funkhana, gymkhana, slalom, time trials, tech Sessions, dinner meetings, multi-regionals, board meetings.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
The core group of the governing body of PCA. These are unpaid jobs held by extremely dedicated PCA members. The Executive Council consists of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Past President and Executive Vice President.

FIRING ORDER
The ignition distributor sends high voltage sequential discharges to the engine cylinders in a precise order. 1-4-3-2 for 356 models is an example.

FLARES
Extra wide fenders used to accommodate wide tires.

FORGED
The Porsche alloy wheels made by Fuchs are an example of something made by the forging method. Parts made by forging are stronger for their weight than cast parts. Several other parts made by forging are pistons, crankshafts and connecting rods.

FUEL INJECTION
A type of fuel system using a pump and injectors instead of a carburetor to meter fuel. There are many types of fuel injection systems but they all have the ability to provide a more precisely controlled fuel to air mixture than the simple carburetors that they replace. The object of fuel injection is to increase specific output with low pollution level.

GMUND
Village in Austria where the first Porsche automobiles were built in 1948-1949.

GOODIE STORE
Also called goody box, PX, the store, the mart, the market. A regional (or Parade) store selling various bits of Porsche-related paraphernalia.

H1, H2, H3, H4
Types of bulbs for quartz iodide headlights H stands for halogen, the inert gas that fills the bulb.

HALFSHAFT
Rear drive axle from the transaxle to the rear wheel. Since Porsches do not have a solid axle connecting both rear wheels, the term halfshaft is used.

HEATER BOXES
These supply the interior heat in air-cooled Porsches. Technically, they are an air-to-air heat exchanger.

HEEL TO TOE (or HEEL AND TOE)
Fancy footwork of the right foot whereby the brake pad and accelerator are depressed at the same time. This is a useful technique for smooth downshifting while braking.

HILLCLIMB
A timed solo event starting at the bottom and ending at the top of a hill or mountain. Pike's Peak is probably the beat known hillclimb.

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HYDROPNEUMATIC SUSPENSION
A type of front suspension which uses compressed gas and hydraulic fluid rather than springs as the suspension method; used by Porsche in the front of the 911E (1969-1973) in an effort to provide more comfort.

IDEAL LINE
The fastest line through a corner is not necessarily the shortest line but typically the smoothest, longest, radius curve through the corner.

IGNITION
The system that provides the spark to ignite the fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of each engine cylinder.

KARMANN
A coachbuilder from Osnabruck who supplied 356 coupe bodies to Porsche in 1961-1965 and 911/912 coupe bodies in 1965-1968. Assembly of mechanical components was completed by Porsche.

L
911L, an early U.S. 911 model (1968),the L stands for "luxus" in German, i.e., luxury. It was a 911S with a normal engine.

LINK PINS
A component of the front suspension on a 356 model which secures the trailing arms to the spindle upright.

LOWERED
Many owners adjust the suspension of a Porsche to reduce the road clearance and overall height. This produces somewhat better handling and cornering. Excessive lowering is detrimental.

LUDWIGSBURG
The town on the outskirts of Stuttgart, Germany where Porsche AG's sales and spare parts facilities are located.

MACPHERSON STRUTS
A locating and supporting member of the front suspension first used by Porsche on the 911 and 912 models; a reasonable compromise between performance and space requirements.

MAHLE
An original equipment manufacturer who supplies pistons for many Porsche engines; generally considered the finest piston manufacturer in the world.

MANUALS
How-to books, including but not limited to Porsche factory shop manuals, owner's manuals and specification booklets.

MARQUE
One syllable word meaning brand of automobile; not to be confused with marquee (a theater billboard) or marquis (a British noble title).

MONTE CARLO
A type of rally in which the contestants calculate the precise arrival time and hand in their score sheets at that time.

MULTI-REGIONAL
A weekend event, usually held over two or three days and usually including several competitive events involving two or more regions.

NAVIGATIONAL
A rally class which allows simple time pieces, prepared tables, and mechanical slide rules.

NECKARSULM
A city about 30 miles north of Stuttgart, Germany, where Porsche 924 and 944 models were built.

NORMAL
A Porsche engine designation for the lowest horsepower, standard production version.

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OIL RETURN TUBES
Oil return tubes provide a drain path for oil used to lubricate the valve mechanism back to the engine sump where it is picked up by the oil pump and recirculated.

OVERSTEER
In cornering, oversteer exists when the rear end of the car tends to make a larger radius turn than the front end.

PAD
The replaceable frictional component in the disc brake system.

PANORAMA
The official monthly magazine of the Porsche Club of America. Porsche Panorama is a registered trademark.

PARADE
The week-long annual convention of PCA, consisting of a concours, rally and speed event as well as tech sessions, meetings and socializing. The name derives from the first PCA convention which included a street parade of Porsches. Porsche Parade is a registered trademark of PCA.

PCA
The Porsche Club of America, divided into 12 zones which are further divided into 136 regions. PCA is governed by a national organization consisting of a National Executive Council (elected), appointed committee chairpersons, appointed zone representatives and the elected regional presidents.

PCR
Parade Competition Rules, a set of guidelines and rules governing the Parade events. Car classes are given by the PCR'S.

PORSCHE
A two-syllable word; the family name of the founder of the Porsche company (Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG).

PORSCHE BODY TYPES
As well as the alpha-numeric nomenclature used to differentiate between models, Porsches are often referred to by body style (coupe, cabriolet, Targa, roadster, convertible-D, speedster, notch-back coupe, etc.), special editions (Sebring 924, Weissach 911, Carrera GT, ITS, America roadster), and, in the case of 356 models, (Drauz, Reutter, Karmann, D'Ieteren, Glaser, Abarth, and others.)

PORSCHE MODEL NOMENCLATURE
A series of project design numbers, letters and names used to differentiate between various cars, as 356, 356A, 356B, 356C, RSK, 55ORS, Spyder, Bergspyder, Super 90, 356SC, 911, 912, 912E, 911E, 911S, 911T, 911L, 911SC, 911 Carrera, 911RS, 911RSR, 930, 931, 935, 924, 928, 944, 914, 914/1.7, 914/1.8, 914/2.0, 914/6, etc.

PORSCHE PUSHER
A Porsche Enthusiast

PUSHROD
A rod that transfers the camshaft motion to the rocker arms which open and close the engine intake and exhaust valves. Porsche 356, 912 and 914 engines have pushrods.

PYLON
A regular highway traffic cone used to layout driving event courses.

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QI
Quartz iodide or halogen lights. A whiter, brighter ltght is produced by these compared to standard U.S. sealed beam headlights.

RALLY
A competitive event, conducted in accordance with prevailing traffic laws, consisting of a set of general instructions (the rules) and route instructions from one point to another. The successful rallyist will execute the instructions exactly as the rallymaster intended. Types of rallies: time-speed-distance, gimmick, hare and hound, card, map, slide, a mobile treasure hunt.

RECARO
Original equipment seat supplier to Porsche; also a supplier of aftermarket seats; related to the Reutter coachbuilder.

RED LINE
The recommended maximum engine speed (rpm).

REUTTER
One of several independent coachbuilders who supplied complete 356 bodies to Porsche. Reutter built and painted coupe and cabriolet bodies for Porsche from 1950 to 1963.

REV LIMITER
A mechanical or electrical device that limits the speed (rpm) of an engine under acceleration.

ROCKER ARM
Valve actuating component which transfers the profile of the camshaft into the motion which opens and closes the engine valves. The rocker arm converts the rotary motion of the camshaft into the linear motion of the valve.

ROTOR
The round rotating component of a disc brake against which the pads are hydraulically clamped by the caliper.

RPM
Revolutions per minute of the engine crankshaft (UPM in German).

S
A higher performance version of a standard Porsche model, as in 911S, 356S, 928S. S is the acronym for Super.

S INSTRUMENTS
The more complete instrument panel from the 911S; when installed in less expensive models it presents the driver with more comprehensive information.

S, H, V, SR, VR, HR
The European speed ratings for tires. R stands for radial tires. SR tires are rated at 180 kph (about 112 mph), HR at 210 kph (about 130 mph) and VR at more than 210 kph (above 150 mph).

SET UP
A common term used to indicate optimizing your car's potential or the best position to enter a corner at speed while driving.

SHOCK ABSORBERS
A suspension dampening device which must be matched to the spring rates and characteristics of a car. The following are types of shock absorbers associated with Porsches: Boge, Koni, Bilstein and Woodhead.

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SHOE
1. A drum brake component. 2. A "hot shoe ", i.e., fast, usually skillful driver.

SKID PAD
A type of circular test track where handling dynamics are determined, especially lateral acceleration.

SLICKS
Tires with no tread pattern, used for racing.

SPEEDSTER
A convertible 356 type, built from 1954 to 1958, characterized by spartan appearance, low windshield and side curtains.

SPOILER
See wings and spoilers.

SPORTOMATIC
Porsche's semi-automatic transmission with torque converter and electrically activated clutch, available on 911 models from 1968 to 1976.

STRUT
The main component of the MacPherson strut suspension system. See MacPherson strut.

SWAY BAR
A stabilizer bar or roll stabilizer. A transverse torsion bar attached to the suspension at the wheel. The effect is to minimize body lean. Bars come in different diameters, which is a measure of how much they will resist body roll. Sometimes called an anti-sway bar.

SWING AXLE
Simple form of independent rear wheel suspension which provides suspension travel by pivoting about a single point near the center of the car.

SYNCHROMESH
A device for matching the rotational speed of the gears in a transmission to facilitate shifting.

T
911T - a 911 model built from 1968 to 1973. T is an acronym for Touring.

TARGA
Porsche's semi-convertible 911 model, characterized by a fixed rollbar, named for the Targa Florio race.

TECH SESSION
An event where information of a technical nature is presented.

THE MART
The classified ad section of Porsche Panorama wherein Porsches and Porsche parts are offered for sale or swap.

TOP ONLY
A type of concours where only the outside of the car is judged.

TORQUE
A measure of an engine's performance characteristics; the work force that an engine produces. The torque reading factored with the rpm gives the horsepower that an engine produces.

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TORQUE PEAK
The maximum point of the torque curve, usually several hundred rpms below the red line.

TORQUE WRENCH
Used to measure proper tightening of fasteners.

TORSION BAR
A long straight steel bar fastened to the chassis at one end and to a suspension part at the other which when twisted provides the spring medium.

TOUR
A group of PCAers and their Porsches follow a pre-arranged route to see the sights.

TOWER SHAFT
Part of the valve train in the 4-cam 356 engine.

TRAIL BRAKING
A driving technique wherein pressure is maintained on the brake pedal into the first portion of a corner.

TRAILING ARM
A wheel locating member in the front of rear suspension which connects the spring medium to the axle hub assembly.

TRANSMISSION
The assembly of gears and associated parts by which the engine torque is multiplied and the engine power is transmitted to the driving axle. Porsche transmissions are transaxle design which includes the differential and final drive gears within the transmission.

TREFFEN
A registered service mark of the Porsche Club of America; the name of PCA's tour to the Porsche factory which generally includes factory delivery of new Porsches and a trip through Europe. " Treffen" is German for "meeting".

TUNNEL TRANSMISSION
An early 356 transmission characterized by a one piece housing which has a removable end cover.

TURBO or TURBOCHARGER
A device which uses the energy in the exhaust gas to drive a turbine that in turn drives a supercharger attached to the engine's intake system. An increase in power is achieved by increasing the air intake volume to the engine.

UNDERSTEER
The opposite of oversteer; practically speaking, the front end tends to go straight in a corner.

UP-FIXIN der PORSCHE
A series of books which contain all the technical articles originally printed in Panorama from 1955 to the present. Available from the PCA Executive Office.

VAPOR LOCK
A condition caused when fuel fails to flow to the engine because of high fuel vapor pressure in the inlet fuel line or internal fuel pump cavities, caused by high heat or heat build-up.

WAR BONNET
An Oklahoma region of PCA and the host of the annual War Sonnet Tech Session. This tech session is outstanding in its presentation of useful information. (Discontinued after 1995).

WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
The percentage of a car's total weight which rests on the front or rear wheels; 50/50 is sought to give neutral handling characteristics.

WEISSACH
A village near Stuttgart, Germany, where Porsche's research and development center is located.

WHALE TAIL
See wings and spoilers.

WINGS AND SPOILERS
Aerodynamic devices to control air flow over, under, around and through car bodies. A common error when adding wings and tails to cars which were not designed for them is to fail to match them properly, thus resulting in a decrease in performance.

ZELL AM SEE
An Austrian town near Salzburg, the site of the Porsche family home and where Professor Ferdinand Porsche is buried.

ZONE REPS
National appointees who provide liaison between the regions of PCA and the Board of Directors and Executive Council. Zone reps provide guidance and communication when and where needed.

ZUFFENHAUSEN
A suburb of Stuttgart, Germany, where Porsche's main production facilities are located.

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