volk

doesnt a rear spoiler defeat the purpose on a front wheel drive car?

supercarfan

Negative.

volk

why would you want pressure on the rear end when the drive is on the front end?

Ike

So I guess that means with an RX-8 you don't need any downforce in the front?

supercarfan

Looks

johnnywfg

hah.. my car before the RX8 was a "tricked out" 2nd generation Tib.. (there is only 2 generations of the tib, the first was a joke)

the tib takes reeeally well to aftermarket exhaust and intake, makes the car extremely peppy, it feels like your haulin ***, but its burst speed. it may get the jump off the line, but cant hang with the rx8 at all.

handling.. just forget it.. understeer, narrow tires, front wheel drive.. uhg..

volk

the aerodynamics of a front wheel drive car versus a rear wheel drive car are nothing alike.

volk

appreciate the honesty.

Ike

Really? So I guess these are just riced out and the wings have no use? When it comes down to it the spoiler on the RX-8 is just as useless as the Tiburon spoiler so I don't know why you're making such a big deal about it.

dynamho

You need to read up on aerodynamics as it relates to motorsports, if this is your argument as to why an FWD car doesn't need a rear wing.

I really dislike it when people state extrapolations on something based on limited knowledge.

volk

I am happy to be educated. Please tell me the aerodynamic reasons for a FWD car having a spoiler. I am not being a smartass, i sincerely would like to know.

dynamho

My guess is that your assumption as to why an FWD car doesn't need downforce on the rear end is based on the idea that you only need downforce on the tires that provide power.

Usually, aerodynamics don't really play a big part of vehicle dynamics below say 60 mph. I say usually because certain factors, such as weight, can determine how much a car is affected by air.

When a car is travelling at high velocity, the car shape is like an airplane's wing. It will lift because air is travelling faster above the car than on the bottom, which creates a pressure difference. Therefore, you need downforce on the entire car, or rather, on all four tires, regardless of the drive layout (FWD, RWD, AWD), for maximum STABILITY during high speed runs, cornering, and braking.

Production car drag racers rarely need any wings because they hinder (by weight and air resistance) more than help because they can't attain high enough speeds to benefit from them.

Trivia: Did you know that F-1 cars create so much downforce during their straightaways that they can go upside down, like a gecko? This is why they can corner at 4+ Gs, but only if they go fast enough. Sounds strange huh? Go faster to corner harder?

Ike

For the same exact reason a RWD or AWD car does. To add downforce to increase stabilty and reduce lift. Some FWD cars need them even more than RWD or AWD cars because of their greater tendency to be front heavy and have less weight over the rear wheels. Now keep in mind we're talking about tested and proven designs. Most of the spoilers on cars nowadays are nothing more than cosmetic, like the spoiler on the RX-8 and Tiburon.

rotarygod

...or the WRX, EVO, Civic, Supra, etc...

Ike

Nope, the Evo and STI spoilers are quite functional, as are the other aero parts that accompany them (vortex generator).

RotaryP7

What's all this FWD talk?!

DaveCM203

The spoiler on the Supra is supposed to produce (can't exactly remember) something like 50 lbs of downforce at 100 mph or something. Anyway, it is SUPPOSED to be functional.

RotaryP7

The Skyline's spoiler would be a good subject.

dynamho

Parkbench spoilers probably work well too. Hahaha.

supercarfan

Boosted tib +suspension mods > stock 8, and for less $

dbb

You are so ignorant it is not funny.

Your "suspension" mods still can't override the fact the rx8 is a properly balanced rear wheel drive with almost sublime agility and stupendous steering/brakes/driver feedback.

Whereas the Tiburon is a nose heavy front wheel drive with massive inherent understeer.

supercarfan

Actually the Tiburon handles very well. You can make any car handle exceptionally well with mods. Theres no need to diss the Tib. I think its a great car. Thats not to say the RX-8 isnt great as well.

dynamho

I agree that the Tib handles pretty well, but not with the general statement that you can make any car handle exceptionally well with mods.

I've driven the one prior to the recently released Tib. It handles quite nicely. I like it better than the late Celica.

Steakboy42

When I saw ur avatar the first time, I was like, "I never said that!" Then I realized it wasn't me. Avatar thief! J/k

ok, to add something to the conversation. um... torque steer isn't fun. yeah. not fun. at all. it's like, "wow, I going fateset!" then it's all like "****, curb." yeah. um. broken car. ummm. yeah. there. NASCAR has spoilers this year.

ok, on a serious note, has anyone actually tried driving a formula car upsidedown yet?

-Steakboy

LiveToRev

No doubt that your Tib handles well, but why do you keep comparing apples to oranges?