How much is gained from the standard spoiler
 

The automatically rising spoiler is a really cool function of the box and definitely makes the car unique but how useful is it especially at lower speeds? I could see that there might be some lift over 100 mph but at 75 it seems a little unnecessary. Does it rise at these somewhat lower speeds to actually combat lift? Just curious...

Hi,

The Boxster actually gets pretty light at around 75MPH, something like 110lbs. in the rear.

The Spoiler is actually a true spoiler and unlike a Wing, does not create any downforce to control lift. The difference is subtle, but distinct. The Wing counteracts lift, while a Spoiler prevents it.

Lift happens because of the Pressure Differential between the Air flowing over the Top and the Air flowing under the Bottom surfaces of the Car. Air pressure under the Car is increased as the Air slows, piling into itself, trying to flow between the Car's underside and the Ground. The Air over the Top on the other hand moves much faster and so has lowered pressure relative to the Air trying to flow underneath. The difference between these two pressures is what causes lift.

By extending the Spoiler, the airflow on Top is literally Spoiled, that is, it is blocked and slowed down and it's pressure rises to come into equilibrium with the Air flowing underneath, consequently, no lift is created. Wings on the other hand, exert a downforce to counteract the lift created by this Pressure Differential rather than preventing it.

Wings are, at a point, more efficient than Spoilers and so these are preferred for truly high speeds, such as a race Car. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

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

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 ...".

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.

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.

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. :eek:

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

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.

I wonder
 

if I could tuck a cape in there.

So when I hit the deploy button, a cape comes flying out...

:D

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.

Interesting comparison of the Boxster's aerodynamics vs. the competition.

http://i2.tinypic.com/sxga50.jpg

The reduction in lift coefficients in the 987 (MY05) from the 986 (MY04) is –25 % at the front axle and –30 % at the rear.

That would be great!
:cool:

Not a rumor but factual accidents
 

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. :cool:

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 :eek:

-A

that's right they recall all TTs here to fit them with a little lip on the back, it wasn't only german autobahn that TTs where fliying it was any kind of fast bends too!

on the other hand i have seen and i am quite interested to remove/disable spoiler on Box and fit a nice type of fixed wing, what would be your recommendation MN Obi-wan ho mighty one!

MN you rock man with your knowledge and help!!