How much is gained from the standard spoiler

[Brucelee]

Jim,

Is this theory or have you seen lab data on the Boxster wing? Frankly, to me, it look like a POS up and not effective at all.

And, I have no data on it either.

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by Brucelee

Jim,

Is this theory or have you seen lab data on the Boxster wing? Frankly, to me, it look like a POS up and not effective at all.

And, I have no data on it either.

Hi,

I have seen such data, but I cannot remember the source, I may be able to locate it in a day or two, I do remember that the Rear experienced lift in excess of 100 lbs. though.

Be careful about using the word Wing to describe the Spoiler, because that's what it is a Spoiler, these are two distinct things and perform very different functions, the terms are not interchangeable. A Wing is really an inverted Airfoil which generates Negative Lift (DownForce) while a Spoiler slows down the Airflow (or Spoils it) by disrupting it and consequently increases it's pressure. Although the end result - increased Rear-End stability, is the same, it is arrived at using two entirely different methods.

One need only disable the Spoiler and run up to high speed to feel the lightness which the Car's Rear experiences. I do not advocate doing this in Traffic as the Car does become quite unstable. Anyone interested in such an experiment should do so on a Track or at least a deserted stretch of Road...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Ronzi]

Info I have seen in Brian Long's book "Porsche Boxster" says the spoiler is capable of "Reducing rear lift by up to 30 percent ...".

[mach schnell]

i'll post a thread later today about a 300 mile loop I did yesterday that included a zip through the soCal desert (Coachella Valley) where the cross winds across the open desert are significant - I'll post about my impressions of the car at high speed including potential difference in feel prior to 75 mph and above 75mph. Sorry for the tease, but gotta go do some other things right now. The thread will be up by early evening PST.

[socratic]

Rumor has it that early Audi TTs were regularly getting totalled on the Autobahn in single-car incidents. Then Audi put in a little lip to act as a spoiler and those kinds of accidents dropped off. Maybe there is something to the spoiler effect.

[tqtran]

The Boxster spoiler is "effective". I have had personal experience with it on and off after 75mph and I must say it is scary without the wing after 75.

If you don't believe me then just pull the fuse on the spoiler and see for yourself (I must caution you though).

[Adam]

No need even pull the fuse. I think you can manually lower it by hitting the toggle button over 75mph but I'm not certain.

[Pilot2519j]

Originally Posted by socratic

Rumor has it that early Audi TTs were regularly getting totalled on the Autobahn in single-car incidents. Then Audi put in a little lip to act as a spoiler and those kinds of accidents dropped off. Maybe there is something to the spoiler effect.

What I recall as told by the Audi dealer I used to go to for service on my 2001 S-4 was that at 140 the rear end lifted and that several cars had crashed in the autobahn. That is why you see the spoiler in the back of the TT.

[BentleyJava]

The Audi TT problem was solved by spoiler and changes to certain angles of the suspension geometry.

At very high speed, drivers in Germany were coming off Autobahn ramps (still at speed) and the car was switching ends (to say the least) due to lift-off oversteer. ie the brakes were on, shifting weight forward, the rear-end came untucked, and on turn-in went loose.

I have a TT with the wing/changes at the moment, and I tried to induce the car to do this when I had it on the CART track on the lakefront in Cleveland. Either they really did fix the problem, or I wasn't trying hard enough/was too scared

-A