John WRX

Been driving now for over a week with no spoiler on the back and im amazed how much having a piece of plastic on you bootlid helps keep the car on the road.
Back end bouces like mad round corners now and drifting on the motorway is something which im trying to get used to.
Looking forward to gettin my new spoiler on there as soon as poss lol.

RON

John,
Which model do you have, I'm toying with the idea of either no spoiler, or a very small lip spoiler, just enough to upset the airflow, I wonder how the RA's cope without one??

Jamie_B

When my car was shipped over it didn't have a spoiler and I got some strange looks from other scoob drivers, but it was a great stealth car. Only minutes after picking it up a chav pulled up behind me and tried to over take until he saw the bonnet scoop and dropped back.

BigGuy

I'd like to hear more about people's experience with the big prodrive spoiler. I have the STi7 and would like to know how necessary it is. Also are there any pictures of STis without spoilers?

binxta1

I have a Prodrive spoiler on MY93 STI down force is increadable and cornering is not a problem think you need one if pushing a high bhp.

John WRX

Got a classic shape wrx MY00

BigGuy

any other opinions?

TopBanana

My RA doesn't have a rear spoiler and it's rock solid. If the back-end is bouncing around you have a problem with the suspension in my opinion

Absolute Shower

From a 'just looking' point of view I don't think the Sti7 rear spoiler makes lots of difference as it doesn't deflect the air (create down-force) like other spoilers...its due to the shape. I've got a WRc rear spoiler that has two points of deflect (the spoiler and the boot area both change air flow direction slightly).

The most extreme spoiler, as an example, would be the Escort Cossie...that has massive surface at angles to change air flow direction and cause down-force.

Still, any spoiler is better than none if you need more down-force and wieght also for correct distribution.

Johnny50

Kart-mans P1 is running with no spoiler at the moment (not through choice..theiving scum)

Have to admit...it looks rather good..nice smooth lines.
not sure if he's noticed any difference in handling though.

BlueBoy

I think it looks a little weird without one, but I was always under the impression that many of them are indeed for show and not for practical use. I certainly didn't think there was that much difference as to upset the handling at anything below 100mph in most circumstances.

I've got the low carbon fibre one on my SpecC which does actually produce some downforce, but I'm sure it's not getting used that much.

RON

I should be getting my new idea's sorted in the near future, I'll post a pic for opinions when I do, be aware, it won't have been seen done before!!!!!

Dark Blue Mark

Yeah, get rid of that crap replica off the back, Ron

How you going to fill the holes, or did you stick it on?

MB

RON

Got anothr boot lid comin mate!!
Stuck it on, but just plain fed up of the leaks, so getting shot of it!!

7 Foot

I was also of the impression that the Subaru fitted spoilers did not produce any downforce, they simply reduced drag a little and looked . . . . imposing (?).

There was an article a while back in True Grip that (I think) backs this up.

RRH

Having run a reasonably big-powered MY01 for a couple of years, and several STi RA's, I reckon I'm qualified to comment (even if I do talk out of my **** most of the time)

Both cars felt significantly better planted with proper spoilers on.

At high speed the downforce is actually visible as it lowers the rear of the car, you can see a visible difference through the rear view mirror.

One time on the way to our local northern meet at the Wiggin tree, I followed TKH in his STi5 RA over Parbold rather quickly.

On the day in question I was in the MY01, the big STi wing had gone away for a respray as I'd hit it with the garage door. I had replaced it with the small spoiler. The difference was scary- rear of the car was horribly light and floaty.

Similarly, I have run the RA a lot at Donington. With an STi5 high level wing on it feels a lot more stable, allowing you to carry a lot more speed.

Basically they do what they are designed to do.

Johnny50

RRH..
I've just ordered STi spoilers for my wagon, apart from looking different, do you think it'll make a difference in downforce ??

RRH

Not sure about the wagon- ordered the waist spoiler for my MY03 wagon then changed my mind.
Certainly won't do any harm though

Johnny50

Ta mate.
time will tell i suppose.

*Sonic*

When I changed my standard STi IV spoiler for a genuine 22b one, I noticed a difference, and definatly a difference in fuel consumption (ie worse)

On the same note tho, has any 22b owner noticed a difference with the blade up, now that must do something, it cant just be for show

DaveD

iTrader: (2)

I'm only talking about the std low level spoiler that my 93 WRX has got....but the only real difference I noticed when it was off for a re-spray (and that ended up being quite some time! ) was that water rolled down the rear screen in a different pattern.

With the spoiler on, water channels to the sides of the rear window, with the spoiler off, it merges to the centre.

So, even a puney low-level spoiler would appear to make some aerodynamic difference.....but could I feel any difference??? Well, no, not even at 100mph!!

I'm sure a decent set of tyres could make up the difference in most situations.....?

toigye

Rear spoilers on high powered cars are fitted as standard for a reason do you think they would go to all that trouble of making carbon sills plastic front ends aliminium bonnets to make a car faster then go and throw a big high spoiler on the back end just for looks millions of pounds go into the testing to keep your car on the ground and take those bends yes you do need your spoiler dont think youshould take it off for looks and if you do have a bump or come of the road watch the insurance dont pick up on it its no longer a standard car.

DaveD

iTrader: (2)

So why can my car with a little spoiler go just as quickly round corners as the car with the STi V6 replica spoiler in front?? I've never had the back end feel 'loose' to the extent that I was wishing for a bigger spoiler on the boot.

I'm not saying that they are useless, just maybe not as magical as some people make out.

If the spoiler's not just there for looks, then what are those vents doing in the bonnet??

RRH

Depends what you're doing with the car dave, and where you drive it.

Driving through Bristol you probably wouldn't notice any difference whatsoever (where abouts are you btw, my old hunting ground), nor would you notice a difference on any road unless you're pushing the limits.

take a trip down to castle combe though and tackle the avon rise at full chat. you can carry an awful lot more speed through with a big spoiler, and thats a fact.

DaveD

iTrader: (2)

My car does roll along quite happily at 30mph through Bristol, but has also had many a run out over the Peaks, and through Wales at a fairly brisk pace during meets.

I admit that, fully commited on a track, you may feel some benefit, but don't know if you get much of an advantage on your average B road.

I have noted above, that just by following the track of water over the back window, that the spoiler does make a difference to the airflow at speed (so must be doing some good), just that I didn't notice the difference in handling between no spoiler and a low spoiler.

Anyone care to lend me a big spoiler so I can check out the difference?!

chucknorris

Don't know if this will help with your discussion guys, or make it worse.
I don't know the technical in's and out's of this, but I saw a documentary ages ago that talked alot about down force from spoilers/wings etc. and the main point it made was that rear spoilers, if big enough, (i suppose like the wrc and 22B ones ) can create significant down force but ONLY at high speed and they talked about minimum speeds of 100mph.
The guy that said his car was bouncing around, would have to have been doing over 100mph according to this documentary for his spoiler to even have a minimal effect of keeping his back end down, so if it's happening at lower speed then i have to agree with jlanng that it could be more of a suspension problem.
I did notice though that my wrc spoiler was significantly heavier than the standard factory spec one and if that is the kind of spoiler you had on your car johnwrx, then considering it's right at the back of the car, then it might just be the reduced weight that you are feeling. Also because the spoiler is behind the rear axle rather than over it, then that will exaggerate the weight as well.
Just a couple of thoughts to consider, hope it helps.

chucknorris

DaveD: just read your posts on this, and i don't honestly think that a rear spoiler should make any difference to the patterns of water on your rear window, as the air flow should be going over the spoiler and beyond the back of the car. Even the air circling back in towards the car because of the spoiling effect should not come back as far as the rear window.....I don't think.

So if you have seen a difference in patterns of water then maybe that's something else that's causing it. But i'm no expert on this and could be wrong.

I did see a cracking picture of a rather nice spoiler working in a wind tunnel which should show you what i mean. I'll just go and try to find it for you.

Catch ye!

Chuck!!!

chucknorris

Check these out for spoiler pics (sorry it's not a Scooby, but i've not seen any pics of one in a wind tunnel)

http://www.ultimasports.co.uk/gtr/pics/gtr36.jpg

http://www.ultimasports.co.uk/gtr/pics/gtr35.jpg

Chuck!!!

P.S. The spoiler pictured is on an Ultima and costs a cool £1650 PLUS VAT!!!!
almost as much as a ProDrive one LOL

easyrider

Im also no expert-but to add a twist,have you ever seen the NASCAR racing,and they say that when a car gets too close behind a car,it actually effects the handling of the car infront-therefore to say that its not just the airflow on or behind the spoiler that gets effected.

chucknorris

Picture me: Rubbing chin, pursed lips, furrowed brow: "mmmmmmmmm!"

Didn't know that! call in the aerodynamic boffins on this one.

All interesting stuff. Someone out there with more cash than sense (or me) should take their scooby to wind tunnel and get some printouts (and photos) on this, if only to give us another few weeks of topics to argue about. ( and still not have an answer for)

Cheers for not clearing that up anyway: easyrider

Chuck!!!