compare and contrast aerodynamic advantages of different wings and designs

[tastyratz]

Ok this thread is for just that, to compare and contrast aerodynamic advantages of different wings and designs.

[rant]
This is for the grown ups to have an intelligent discussion about different wing designs so please refrain from the following:
"if you dont drive about xxxmph I dont see the point"
"wings are for ricers"
"i dont think it looks good"
"wings dont work at all"
wings DO work, A well designed wing will be a trade-off between drag and downforce, I dont really care if you like the way my car looks with a part purchased that has functionality in mind, and yes.... I regularly drive at those speeds... some may call me an asshole. stfu n00b.
[/rant]

So now that's pleasantly said and out of the way early on in the thread lol. What would probabbly be the most efficiently shaped wing for a s13 hatch? I have seen several released and I know theres no true wing specifically designed for optimal downforce or atleast reduction of lift for our car (that makes a big enough difference atleast... not stock)

I would like to install a wing on my car that will provide an optimal amount of downforce while producing minimal drag. I have seen several designs such as a single deck aerofoil without curvature, a dual deck without curvature whether in part or in whole, a newer "3d style shape" such as the do-luck or this d-drug




would that bump in the center actually provide an advantage? what about length of the wing? optimally would it be better to have one that is wider than the car, one that is exactly the same, or one that is slightly smaller? Whatever type I plan on going with I plan on trying to design a shock based system that will provide variable resistance on the wing mechanically forcing it to have a higher rake at lower speeds, and less of a rake at higher speeds for a more consistant downforce without creating way too much drag up top.

intelligent thoughts? comments?

[NemeGuero]

Without wind-tunnel evidence, any opinions are probably going to have a shaky basis.

My bet would be go with the more "expensive" brand because you're paying for, yes a name, but also the research and development time. They cost more because they have better construction, use better materials and also have better functionality.

And BTW.. your ebay link'll be removed. No ebay on Zilvia.

[tastyratz]

yea completely forgot, I found another reference and posted an image instead of that. ebay link removed. this is just the image of that one

and heres another example, the actual do-luck one which is like 1500$

[NemeGuero]

Yah, the designs are *similar.. but I bet there's at least a 20% difference in functionality over actual and knock off.

The shapes vary if you look at them closely.. the curvature.. the degree of the bends..

[nsn240]

ive read many times on here that wings dont provide good downforce at around 100mph... any truth to this??

[tastyratz]

incorrect, a properly designed wing with the appropriate rake will provide a large amount of downforce at even highway speeds like 60mph. in a way its like designing a powerband in a car though. the more aggressive the wing, the better it is at low speeds but at high speeds it creates more drag than its worth and may produce too much downforce. a less aggressive wing may need higher speeds to get to where it produces a useable downforce and wont be usable at highway speeds, thats why ive been a fan of trying to design a variable rake system to make it a but more of an all around winner. I need to figure out which shape will probabbly perform best and try to find a wing with that basic design in my price range however (which isnt a 2000$ do luck wing) The concept of the 3d designed airfoil with the less aggressive center section makes sense to me as it would allow air flow over the center of the vehicle to flow with less turbulance / interruption while allowing outter airflow that makes less of an impact to push down.

[NemeGuero]

That's why the porsches and the new crossfire thing have those wings that only come out.. or change angle at higher speeds.

[tastyratz]

Precisely. Also, A wing we would put on our cars will do alot more reducing lift than it will producing downforce. It wont produce 700lbs of downforce if thats what you guys are thinking my goal is. You need something that will smooth out the airflow over/around the car.