LandYatch

I bought my car slightly used (7k) and it came with a number of options (rotary accents, ipod hookup, interior brushed aluminum bits, shifter ****, and a factory spoiler)

I like the accents in and out, don't have an ipod so I don't really care about that, but the one thing that I would probably not have put on the car if I had purchased it new is the factory spoiler. Personally, I like the look without it, but it came with it. I have been looking through my back window in my rearview mirror and I keep asking myself the same question:

Is the factory spoiler just for looks or does it actually help performance? (and do I need to go 350mph to get that performance?)

Socket7

The better question is "Do I want to spend $250-$500 in bodywork to fill the holes in the trunk If I remove the spoiler?"

(my money is on the spoiler doing very little for performance, but I'm pulling that info directly out of my ***.)

alz0rz

iTrader: (41)

You can find someone local to swap your trunk with.

briann

Try trading with someone on here...

vglnte1

not sure about a stock little spoiler. but for a spoiler to actualy work it needs to be big and engineering correctly. Look at ALMS cars. those are spoilers that work. factory spoilers are for looks

Rotr8

iTrader: (2)

If you would like a spoiler that has proven miles in the wind tunnel look at the MS wing. Trading as mentioned is a good idea there are plenty of people that would like to change it up....

LandYatch

I am one of those people who only like things on a car that make it do something better, and not so much make it look better. I just can't see what real effect it has on performance, but I am no aero-dynamic super genius either.

I searched the forum and really did not see a thread discussing the stock spoiler. I don't have have a wind tunnel handy to make a judgement one way or the other.

My wife likes the spoiler because it "looks" sporty. I am trying to get used to looking in the rearview and having this blue stripe obstructing my view.

I am way too old for the boy-racer look, but was just wondering. I am a minimalist at heart (function before looks)

The spoiler is there for good or bad, I was just wondering.

restiller

well, the euro spec 8's have a mandatory trunk lip spoiler, supposedly to help with the aerodynamics and save gas. not sure if the US spec functions similarly.

04RX8man

would not do any help unless you are doing 300 mph...

Razz1

If you do a search you find the thread that posted the info from Mazda. It improves down forace at around 100 mph.

vglnte1

and since this car has no power, it just slows you down with drag. Id rather have without, but it came with the car....so I'll leave it

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

really?

its a shame it looked so god awful.

anyway, i traded my spoiler'd trunked for a non-spoiled trunk. just put up an ad in the parts for sale section.

daisuke

I personally like the way it makes the car look from a frontal 3/4 view. I originally wanted one without a spoiler but that proved impossible to find when I was in the market since all the manuals had them, I could only find automatics without. But it's grown on me and right now I think it'd look crappy without it really.

I'm thinking of upgrading to something more useful/better looking, but I also want to try and make the stock spoiler hinged along it's center and make it so that the spoiler will tilt the back up and the front forward to become an air brake kinda like the McLaren SLR, or adjust the angle to provide more downforce when I'm doing performance driving.

Anyone know if the stock spoiler is a solid piece or if it's hollow on the inside?

CarAndDriver

If you do a search, it has been discussed before. It is largely cosmetic. The new 09 lip spoiler is more function IMHO.

dynamho

As a general rule, a functional rear wing needs to be about the same level or higher than the roofline of the car to provide significant downforce.

In short, no air obstruction to the wings.

You can also be unique and put extra wide wings out both sides of the car.

It's not likely you ever need a rear wing for street driving.

Revvittupp

That's simple supply and demand. It was hard to sell a new RX8 without a spoiler. In nearly every occasion one was added at an increased cost, and therefore decreased profit to the dealer when on ewas not factory installed. It was simply a must-click option.

Georgia8er

The spoiler is so small, you wouldn't even be able to notice the extra drag created.

04RX8man

i personallly don't like our car without a spoiler even if it is the little one we have still just finishes off the car however a huge wing does NOT look good....

1.3L

I seriously doubt it helps performance. It can be used as a handle to lift your trunk lid, but other then that, I think the spoiler is for looks only. Just my 2 cents.

-1.3L

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

DONT use it as a handle, you will crack it where it connects to the trunk.

1.3L

Good advice for those who are heavy-handed.

-1.3L