jdowen2

Drove home a one owner 2013 V6 coupe with 5500 miles. Anyone spring for the under body spoilers yet? Other than appearance, what benefits does it offer? Looks like I'm missing screwdriver and another tool in jack and lug wrench holder. This has more rated power than my Corvette! Doubt if it will handle as well, but that's not why I bought it.
First mods will be protective hood and rear bumper film. Tint the windows and then stick on hood and fender vents, electric supercharger, and turbo exhaust whistles! Should be pushing well over 400 hp on the butt dyno. Any other suggestions? (just kidding on some points)

BLKFLSH

Why just protective film on the hood? Isn't the bumper painted too? It seems a lot of people just protect the hood, and I've never understood why not the bumper too. The rear bumper too? I guess that's for when klutzes are loading/unloading the trunk? I hope you were kidding about the rest.

jdowen2

Good point about the bumper. If it's not cost prohibitive I'll probably do that. Thanks.
Reading the owner's manual I found out I can change the wallpaper. Guess I'll have to hire an interior decorator. Fung shui here I come.
Going to can the stick on hood scoop. Found carbon fiber hood applique.
I apologize for the sarcasm, I'm giddy over this car.

GoLowDrew

I just got a 11 years old used car that lived in Casa Grande and San Tan Valley. Garaged pretty much. The hood still shines great (with a few chips from life on the road). But the front bumper looks sand blasted.

(Thinking about respraying the front bumper so it looks like a better match to the rest of the car)

jdowen2

Maaco has a special in Phoenix now. Bumper respray for $185.

royalORIGIN

"Under body spoilers?" Huh...
- you mean "rear diffuser?" If this is what you meant, then it's MORE than just looks, bro. Pointless for our cars. Unless you plan on doing 150+mph...

A diffuser, in an automotive context, is a shaped section of the car underbody which improves the car's aerodynamic properties by enhancing the transition between the high-velocity airflow underneath the car and the much slower freestream airflow of the ambient atmosphere. It works by providing a space for the underbody airflow to decelerate and expand (in area, density remains constant at the speeds that cars travel) so that it does not cause excessive flow separation and drag, by providing a degree of "wake infill" or more accurately, pressure recovery. The diffuser itself accelerates the flow in front of it, which helps generate downforce.

royalORIGIN

Good idea on the clear bra for the front/ rear bumbers. Just keep in mind, it'll start to fade and turn yellow-ish overtime.

jdowen2

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/...ERBODY+SPOILER
This is an example. Probably more for styling.

BLKFLSH

The spoiler doesn't go all the way across, like it did in previous generations. I doubt you get any aerodynamic/performance advantage from it, and it actually adds more weight, especially if you get the sides, rear, and trunk spoilers to go along with it. Just makes the car look lower/sporty IMO. I don't mind how spoilers look, and I would probably put one on, if they were a lot cheaper. A full HFP kit would cost a few bucks.

GoLowDrew

All spoilers are for styling.

I recall reading something there is 60lbs of downforce generated by the rear spoiler on the Supra Turbo at 110mph. Something like that. Most of us don't go 110mph.

And it's not a linear thing like if you go 55 mph you get 30lbs of force. Or 15lbs for force at 27 mph. I've seen track guys would have their friend sit in the back, for better rear downforce. Real weight will work better than spoilers (in that case). If you got to bring a friend, might as well make him sit where there will create an advantage.

Before anyone counter point my reply. Yes, there are functional "spoilers." Toyota Prius for example. There lower rear bumper design (fins) help smooth out the turbulence on the hwy. So it is a functional design.

But in general, any add-on spoiler is more for appearance. Get it if you like. But don't get it if you think it will improve your car's performance.

I got a rear (Inspire) spoiler for my 2010 Accord, just because I like the look. That's it.