Aluminum Wings

You know those aftermarket aluminum wing things bolted to the rear deck
of (usually around here anyway) old Hondas? Do they actually serve any
function other than to uglify the car? In the olden days cars were rear
wheel drive and wings helped to push down on the back for more
traction- at least thats what I always thought. What good are wings for
fwd?

Rich
1994 Si Hatchback

 

wrote in

Rear spoilers/wings are intended for two purposes:
1) To force the rear end down at high speeds, like over 150mph, and/or
2) to delaminate the air flow at the rear of certain vehicles at high
speeds. This delamination is intended to prevent aerodynamic lift that may
destabilize the rear of the car.

Item #2 is the reason for that little lip spoiler below the rear window of
an Audi TT. A similar, self-raising spoiler at the rear of the Porsche 911
does the same thing. The Porsche's spoiler, in its home market of Germany,
rises up at something like 120mph, which is roughly when lift becomes
apparent. The spoiler was recalibrated for North America to rise at about
55-60mph, otherwise owners would never have the satisfaction of seeing it
rise. (Otherwise, what the hell did they pay all that money for?)

For any legal North American speeds, spoilers and wings perform no function
other than perceived esthetic improvement. Wings are becoming rarer and
rarer. It appears they were a fad, same as the jacked-up rear ends that
were common on '69 Cutlasses when I was younger.

 

That's where you're wrong. They exert significant downforce on the
wallet pockets of those who manufacture and sell them.

Rice-ification appears continues at a good clip, the latest bump in wing
use (with larger end plates) provided by the drift-o crowd.

 

According to David Grainger (owner of The Guild of Automotive Restorers in
Canada), the rice-boy thing has declined to about 10% of what it was even
five years ago. He was running a second shop to service that end of the
market, but has closed it down on account of the decline in that business.

What HAS happened is that "tuning" has become more developed and
specialized, and those still in it tend to be the hard-core types that
totally modify their cars and show them. One day, those "tuned" Hondas may
be looked at the way Model-T hot rods are now.

 

Could be, or might simply be a case of "tuning" (and "drifting") being a
name change to avoid any negative or down-market connotations of "rice".

 

They also have UNINTENDED results
1) they raise fuel comsumption at highway speeds.

2) they lower resale value of the car to anyone with any sense.

3) they usually damage the trunk lid they are attached to , the trunk
lid is not a structural part on most cars.

The factory wings are the best of a bad thing, they are subtle enough to
almost look good and are small and light enough to not affect fuel
consumption. If you have to mess with the aerodynamics of a street car, you
would get a lot more positive results with a good air dam in the front . it
will help lower fuel consumption and help cooling, and add a negligible
amount of downforce .


] For any legal North American speeds, spoilers and wings perform no
function
other than perceived esthetic improvement.[

I agree 100%