I think this has been covered before but nothing was found using the search engine. Does the spoiler on the Type R serve any functionality?

 

It reduces lift at speed.

 

helps settle the rear under heavy, high speed brakeing

 

and it looks awesome

 

At speeds above a 100 MPH it helps plant the rear. The guys who race on the board say they can notice a difference with it off.

 

From an aerodynamic engineering standpoint, it is a non-functional wing. Well, let's put it to be very inefficient. I'm sure it will do something at high speeds, but will be totally ineffective at slower ones.

 

If its so non-functional, why can you notice when its not on? Im sure Hond put it there for a reason, not just to look cool.....

 

for high speeds. at low speeds you can't tell if it's there or not. at high speeds it helps keep there rear planted. jason (not sure of his screen name now) has ran at vir wid and wid out it and said that he felt the diff.

 

Yes, it does not aid in adding downforce, but I am a believer of the idea it reduces lift, by breaking up the turbulence at high speeds.

 

Yes, i have to agree. It smooths the airflow coming off the back of the car.

 

Very true, Keith. This is something I'd encourage anyone to experience for themselves. I too was skeptical about the functionality of it, until my experimentation at VIR.

Under 90mph, I couldn't feel much. However, on the main straights while traveling 120 +, I could feel a big difference both during acceleration and braking

 

Makes sense...I would like to see the difference between this wing and some of those shopping-cart like adjustable aluminum ones...

 

Well it's not rice. That's for sure. Wingless R's are cool and all. But I like to drive at triple digit speeds so I have no intention of EVER having a wingless R. The car is light in the **** to begin with. Why remove the only thing that reduces rear lift on the car. JDM "show cars" or auto X cars look trick without the wing, but an ITR without it is just plain dangerous if you have to brake hard at 140+

 

jason, doooode. stop changing your name!!! i can't keep up with who the hell your are.

 

yeah honda doesn't rice out their cars from the factory, everything has a purpose except those extra accessories you can buy for a car.

 

I think a wing is functional after trying to brake when you hit 3 digit speeds. I've done both and face the consequences of not having one on.

 

It also keeps the head lights behind you out of your eyes!...

 

the wing is functional in reducing lift at high speeds. Typically 70mph + you feel it and obviously 100mph + you will praise it! aerodynamics plays a huge role... many of those ricer kits also will improve aerodynamics, believe it or not.

 

Test the wing, you will see it is functional. Leave the trunk ajar enough that the open trunk light is on; then go driving. At about 40 mph, the open trunk light will go off.

 

Isn't downforce, and reducing lift, the same thing?

 

Downforce and reducing lift aren't necessarily the same thing. Let me give you an analogy. When you're driving down the highway and you stick your hand out the window, and then slightly tilt it forward, the wind pushes down on the top of your hand creating downforce. However, lift is creating when the air moves over one surface faster than the other side, such as on a plane's wing. The reason a plane's wing is curved is because if the wind travel's over the top of the wing faster than the bottom, it will be lifted up if the air is traveling fast enough. The same concept applies to cars (esp. F1 cars) in that they create a tunnel under the car where the air will move faster than above the car, creating a suction effect. That's why they say those cars can actually stick to the ceiling of a tunnel if they're going fast enough. The wing on the R doesn't really have any angle to it so it doesn't create downforce, but rather reduces lift

 

It was put there by the police so you couldn't see them behind you.

 

(sigh)...not for aerodynamics ..the opposite (downforce)...AND ITS EFFECTIVE for speeds above 100KM/hr NOT 100 miles/hr....(I don't think would want to corner at 100 miles/hr)

If you take off the wing, the car is much more slipperier and aerodynamic BUT you lose downforce and the car does get loose on you...(tail does feel loose)

 

It's rice.

 

Acura says, in the 98 ITR booklet, "Chin spoiler for improved aerodynamics".

In addition to that, I find mine is good for detecting high curbs.