Ion rear spoilers

[N A]

Is anyone aware of any quantified evaluation of the various rear spoilers for the Ion? I have the Redline with the "Combat Wing" and I'm trying to decide if it stays or if it goes. I wonder which one has the best effect on downforce with the least effect on drag coefficient... if it matters. Thanks.

[slowion2]

it's going to make very little difference for what 90% of people do with that car

unless you're going to be doing a lot of high speed manuvering and braking on a road course, then you don't need a spoiler really. if anything, the stock aero wing would be plenty IMO to keep float down on the rear end.

[linefire]

the only use for that wing is to get clearance on the runway.... with wings that big you should be racing at the airport.

[blueiondubv]

ahahaha

[GTI]

If you take it off, itll help you see better out of your rear view mirror lol

[SonicION]

and downforce on the rear wheels, for a front wheel driver car? not the greatest plan ever (not that you get much downforce...)

[slowion2]

and downforce on the rear wheels, for a front wheel driver car? not the greatest plan ever (not that you get much downforce...)

that's a misconception, you want balance of force over the entire frame, not just the drive wheels. it's not for traction under accelleration, it's for handling purposes.

the majority of cars need to be going 90-100 or over to get downforce from the large wings they may have mounted. those that are rwd don't have wheelspin at that speed, they just haul a lot of ass.

[N A]

If you take it off, itll help you see better out of your rear view mirror lol

Hmm, I guess that could be useful...
to be able to see that Neon SRT-4 coming up on you...

Actually, I guess the wing I have is in fact the "aero" wing.
Cosmetically it is a bit more wing than I'd like.

[linefire]

but for the wings to create enough functional downforce at even 100mph you need the wing to be the highest point on the car.. ie it has to clear the roof... if the roof line is higher most the time the air drag is already slowed or elevated above the wing as it crosses over the rear.

[GTI]

I thought air flowed over a car over as much surface area as it could touch? Like for example how after the air flows up your windshield and across your roof, it actually flows back down your rear window and across your trunk are back into the air.

[linefire]

ever notice depending on the nose of the car the air doesn't hit the windshield hard til almost the top of it.. the air spirals off the nose then normally makes contact with the roof and falls off it depending on speed and height the are flows off at various angles... its some reall tricky shizit.. downforce that is

[SonicION]

you're right vin. spoilers don't mean a damn for acceleration. and as far as where in the airstream a spoiler must be: yes, it needs to be in a region of high airflow to be effective, but air will tend to follow the contour of a car (especially the coupes and sedans with fairly smooth lines across the top). there will be airflow coming down off the roof, but the problem is that this air has accelerated as it passes up and over the car. the faster-flowing air is at a lower pressure, and so exerts less force on the spoiler. having a tall enough spoiler to get up and above this accelerated air will place it in a higher-pressure airstream, providing the needed force (these are some basic aeronautical design theories).

but in all honesty, i don't think any of us have fast enough cars to necessitate a spoiler, which leaves it to asthetic choices. just my .02

[slowion2]

I remember many moon ago seeing that it had to be at least at 80% of the height of the car, but that might have changed.

[SonicION]

sounds like a logical number. i guess it would just depend on the aerodymanics of the car in question

[N A]

Speaking of balance, does anyone know what the front/rear weight ratio is for the redline?