stock sport spoiler functionality?
 

i have been thinking about a new spoiler, i have the spoiler that comes with the sport kit installed right now, and was wondering if there is any functionality to it? i'd rather have a functional spoiler than a cool looking non-functional

it does nothing. its just for looks.

The spoiler actually creates zero lift. The non sports z has rear lift. If you get a different spoiler you will most likely need to fill in the holes in your hatch and repaint it too.

ok so what is zero lift? does it do anything for me?

It helps with stability at high speeds.

cool, yeah i'll probably wind up keeping it then, just paint it black ;-)

By high speeds I mean really high speeds, so unless you plan on cruising around at 120+ MPH, it's fine to remove it if you prefer the car without. It'd be easier to find someone local who would swap hatches with you rather than remove the spoiler, fill the 30192309102321 holes, then repaint. A few members have done the hatch swap before. :tup:

:iagree:

If you need an example of what it will look like? checkout my Album, mine is Painted black.

so are there any useful spoilers for 80mph + i try not to go 120+, but if you have a z, you know how hard that can be ;-)

Honestly you don't need anything at 80mph. Even 120 mph isn't that fast.

The chin spoiler and rear spoiler both result in 0 lift; the rear decklid spoiler reduces the CD by a small amount.

Can someone explain the concept of lift? I thought we're talking downforce if we're discussing wings and spoilers.

Yeah, it's weird the way nissan advertises this right? I'd guess zero lift would also amount to zero downforce, and negative lift would equal downforce. At least that's how I interpret it.

Depending on how air flows over, around, and underneath the vehicle it can create pressure zones which create lift. The front chin spoiler will control airflow around and underneath the car and the rear spoiler will control how the air flows off the rear decklid, modifying flows so that they do not create lift at speed.

Functional spoilers are not necessarily intended to create downforce. Usually they clean up air flow reducing lift.

Certain spoilers (NASCAR) and wings are what really create the downforce while controlling flow.

Generating downforce counters the lift that is generated...

On a street car, you really don't need to be generating positive downforce-- not seeing lift is all you need.

the stock spoiler isn't really sufficient to keep the tail down when cornering (sweepers) around 90+ mph. it could use a larger wing or rear defuser to keep the tail down and not wash out.

The OEM rear spoiler is not designed to produce downforce. In general, most factory wings and spoilers are for aesthetics only. In the cases of the Z they are functional, but aside from the NISMO they only serve to clean up air flow and reduce lift. The NISMO kit as a whole produces around 150 lbs of downforce at 70 mph.

If you really want rear downforce you need to go to a proper wing like what Mike is running on his Z. But start adding downforce at one end of the car and you really need to be careful that you're not upsetting the aero balance of the car.

what about the add on spoiler like the one made by mines. Do they help?

Honestly I have no idea. The Mine's spoiler is just an aesthetic piece. Just by looking at it you can certainly tell that it increases drag, but does it benefit the car in any way? No one knows without putting it in a wind tunnel.

It's safe to assume that all it does is look good. :tup:

so that's why i see FWD civic's with those huge arse wings on the trunks..! :icon17:

Interestingly enough, the last gen Celica came with the option of a functional (but odd looking) hood spoiler.

Wasn't a fan of it, but at least it would be more in keeping with a FF setup.

it looks cool :)