after attending a few HPDE's my instructor advised that I might want to look into adding some downforce, so this winters plans are front airdam and splitter and some form of spoiler.

My question is this, what is the differnce between the standard spoiler I see on many Honda racecars and the spoilers I see on the drag cars and salt flat cars (flush with trunk lid, but extend out past the back of the car)

for reference this will be on a Del Sol used for track days and HPDE's.

Thanks

 

IF your using it for a NASA event the device cannot extend beyond the bodywork. So that would prohibit the use of the flat extended drag race type of spoiler.

A standard spoiler around 4 inches tall would give some significant downforce, and can reduce overall vehicle drag. you can possibly even make one with some endplates for added effectiveness. I ran that in my H4 car and it worked very well. If you still need more after that I suggest using a wing

 

the car will be used for HPDE's as I am a new to road racing so adhering to "rules or specs" isn't a concern, just function. if anyone has any recommendations for a rear spoiler feel free to let me know

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by granturismonut2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">the car will be used for HPDE's as I am a new to road racing so adhering to "rules or specs" isn't a concern, just function. if anyone has any recommendations for a rear spoiler feel free to let me know</TD></TR></TABLE>

If your new, then there is a lot of room for improvement still before a wing needs to be used. Play around with alignment, tire pressures, suspension. There is nothing better then more seat time.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .:Made in OC:. &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

If your new, then there is a lot of room for improvement still before a wing needs to be used. Play around with alignment, tire pressures, suspension. There is nothing better then more seat time. </TD></TR></TABLE>

X2 to that. Spend the moolah on driving

 

so, learn how to drive it

then change it?

 

btw, a spoiler will never reduce drag. but it will generate downforce (or at least cancel out the natural lift being produced by the car).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by spets &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">btw, a spoiler will never reduce drag. but it will generate downforce (or at least cancel out the natural lift being produced by the car).</TD></TR></TABLE>

Never say never. Small rear decklid spoilers with lengths of less than 30mm (1-1/3" inch) have been shown to reduce drag on some cars. The drag reduction results from delaying the airflow separation point on the rear deck or window and the effect will depend on the window configuration. For downforce, the longer the spoiler will generally result in increased downforce but with a drag penalty for spoiler lengths of more than about 1.5-inches.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Johnny Mac &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Never say never. Small rear decklid spoilers with lengths of less than 30mm (1-1/3" inch) have been shown to reduce drag on some cars. The drag reduction results from delaying the airflow separation point on the rear deck or window and the effect will depend on the window configuration. For downforce, the longer the spoiler will generally result in increased downforce but with a drag penalty for spoiler lengths of more than about 1.5-inches.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Anyone who mentions delayed flow separation in their post gets an award.

 

Good point. delayed flow separation would definitely reduce drag. I was referring to regular wings/spoilers like STi, ITR, and similar. From the post, "A standard spoiler around 4 inches tall".

I should have been more careful in my wording

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by spets &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Good point. delayed flow separation would definitely reduce drag. I was referring to regular wings/spoilers like STi, ITR, and similar. From the post, "A standard spoiler around 4 inches tall".

I should have been more careful in my wording </TD></TR></TABLE>

Remember, a spoiler is a flat plate device, usually rectangular in shape, with one of the long edges attached to another surface like a deck or trunk lid. Spoilers were first used on the top wing surface of airplanes to "spoil" lift and this is where the name "spoiler" comes from. A wing consists of at least one airfoil section and is will always be positioned so that air flows both on the top and bottom surfaces. Thus, a spoiler is a much different device than a wing.