wing? or no.
10-28-05, 12:11 AM
#1
wing? or no.
I've got 2 wings for 1st gens in my garage - the 3 piece fiberglass small one (maybe 6" long at the back and 3-4" high?) and a big whale tail...
do these do anything? I like how the car looks without a wing just fine - but if one of these actually does something- then maybe I'll put one on.
so who knows?
do these do anything? I like how the car looks without a wing just fine - but if one of these actually does something- then maybe I'll put one on.
so who knows?
10-28-05, 12:19 AM
#2
84SE-EGI helpy-helperton
Well, there are 2 schools in this; those that make the modifications for style/looks, and those that do it for better aerodynamics.
In my view, the rear 'lip' spoiler that you describe fits the '80's look of the car, perfectly. It will also add some downforce at high speed, but you'll probably want to counter this with a well-designed front airdam to prevent front end lift common to our 'bullet-shaped' noses.
On the whaletail-type spoilers, they also increase rear downforce, and the lip on them helps to direct airflow across the rear deck area. Aerodyamically, they work about the same. Keep in mind that if you increase downforce, you also increase drag; I noticed a decrease in mileage on my car of about 1-2mpg after adding the front airdam, rear whaletail and Mariah hatch. This is likely due to increased turbulence at the rear of the car, but I enjoy the unique look and style of the parts.
You'll need to decide what looks best to you - that 'lip' spoiler is a nice addition to a well-restored car, IMO.
In my view, the rear 'lip' spoiler that you describe fits the '80's look of the car, perfectly. It will also add some downforce at high speed, but you'll probably want to counter this with a well-designed front airdam to prevent front end lift common to our 'bullet-shaped' noses.
On the whaletail-type spoilers, they also increase rear downforce, and the lip on them helps to direct airflow across the rear deck area. Aerodyamically, they work about the same. Keep in mind that if you increase downforce, you also increase drag; I noticed a decrease in mileage on my car of about 1-2mpg after adding the front airdam, rear whaletail and Mariah hatch. This is likely due to increased turbulence at the rear of the car, but I enjoy the unique look and style of the parts.
You'll need to decide what looks best to you - that 'lip' spoiler is a nice addition to a well-restored car, IMO.
10-28-05, 12:25 AM
#3
Aerodynamics 101
Here is what I posted some time ago in another thread:
"I have a couple of degrees in Aeronautical Engineering, and several friends who are expert aerodynamicists. They all agree with me that spoilers on street cars are useless gimmicks, made for sale to ignorant yuppies and teenagers. Unless you plan to spend a lot of time at speeds well in excess of 100 mph, a spoiler will have no benefit whatsoever."
The original whale tail on the 911 was actually useful: it was put there because they could not solve the engine cooling problem, and were trying to get airflow to the engine. If they had not started with a VW Beetle back in 1949, the engine would have been in front where it belongs, and cooling would never have been a problem.
"I have a couple of degrees in Aeronautical Engineering, and several friends who are expert aerodynamicists. They all agree with me that spoilers on street cars are useless gimmicks, made for sale to ignorant yuppies and teenagers. Unless you plan to spend a lot of time at speeds well in excess of 100 mph, a spoiler will have no benefit whatsoever."
The original whale tail on the 911 was actually useful: it was put there because they could not solve the engine cooling problem, and were trying to get airflow to the engine. If they had not started with a VW Beetle back in 1949, the engine would have been in front where it belongs, and cooling would never have been a problem.
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10-28-05, 08:31 AM
#9
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I've got 2 wings for 1st gens in my garage - the 3 piece fiberglass small one (maybe 6" long at the back and 3-4" high?) and a big whale tail...
p.s. What about the vert? Not conentrating on it yet I guess....
Rob
10-28-05, 04:23 PM
#10
Banned. I got OWNED!!!
Originally Posted by Rx7carl
C'mon Chris, let him have his fantasy. 
10-28-05, 09:44 PM
#12
honestly.... if my BONE STOCK, 160,000KM, 23 year old 12A can even GO 100mph I'd be really surprised!
the wing on my TII seems to help a bit at 150mph - the *** gets floaty with it off!
I don't think the wing will be going back on
Whanrow - you have a PM
the wing on my TII seems to help a bit at 150mph - the *** gets floaty with it off!
I don't think the wing will be going back on
Whanrow - you have a PM
10-28-05, 11:50 PM
#13
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Whanrow - you have a PM
I'd bet that some of the bigger wings available for FB would do some good. The cars are light enough that I'd bet that even 50 lbs of downforce on the back has got to be of some help.
Its funny that people talk about front end float at high speed. The most I've had it up to was 170 km/h (around 110mph). It felt really fast, and there was some driveshaft and wheel shake, but the front didn't feel light....although the hood fluttered just slightly.
Last edited by Whanrow; 10-28-05 at 11:52 PM.
10-29-05, 12:32 AM
#14
I've never felt the front end losing traction at any speed in the first gens I've driven. Try driving a 2nd gen MR2 at 100 mph and you'll know what it feels like to have a loose front end
On the other hand, I've felt some rather unsettling loss of traction at the rear at high speeds in my '83 without a spoiler. With a lip spoiler, it's considerably more stable. You can feel the difference in lane changes at speeds as low as 85 or so on my old tires. No placebo here, only the difference between the rear getting squirrely on me or not.
If you and your aeronautical degree don't believe me, come on over and drive my car, I'll put my worn all-season tires on it and you can try a fast lane change at high speed, then try it again after I take off the spoiler. Bring an extra pair of pants because you're going to **** in them.
On the other hand, I've felt some rather unsettling loss of traction at the rear at high speeds in my '83 without a spoiler. With a lip spoiler, it's considerably more stable. You can feel the difference in lane changes at speeds as low as 85 or so on my old tires. No placebo here, only the difference between the rear getting squirrely on me or not.
If you and your aeronautical degree don't believe me, come on over and drive my car, I'll put my worn all-season tires on it and you can try a fast lane change at high speed, then try it again after I take off the spoiler. Bring an extra pair of pants because you're going to **** in them.
Last edited by RustyRotary; 10-29-05 at 12:36 AM.
10-29-05, 05:44 AM
#16
Lives on the Forum
My car came with a stock spoiler, but was not mounted at the time. I had to sand and repaint it before I put it on, so it was about a year before I got around to it. Having driven my car with and without the spoiler, and can also attest to the fact that you can feel the difference even at legal speeds.