MS3 - Rear wing effectiveness

[TurboWagon]

This is a really simple question and it could have possibly been answered somewhere else already. Are there any numbers out there that show if the rear-wing on the back of the hatch is effective in reducing lift? I figure that if it is, than it would really only be effective at higher speeds. Anyways, didn't know if anyone out there could shed some light on this.

 

[Mocoso]

I dont know about the exact numbers showing the downward force vs. speed but yes the rear-wing is effective at reducing lift.. as with any car the aerodynamics of the car dont come into play until you start getting up to higher speeds.

Note that I think ANY factory std. wing/spoiler will be effective... not true for a lot of the aftermarket outrageousness you see on so many "rice" rockets...best ones are the ones that put the wing backwards...thats all a front engine car needs - MORE lift in the rear LOL!

 

[Va6li]

A rear wing is only effective for a RWD.

For it to be effective on the MS3, is at speeds over 155MPH.

 

[Hirudin]

A rear wing is only effective for a RWD.

For it to be effective on the MS3, is at speeds over 155MPH.

155+? I wonder why the Mazda people limited the speed3 at the exact speed where the wing would start being effective..?

It's important to keep the rear wheels on the ground whether they're driven wheels or not.

 

[TurboWagon]

A rear wing is only effective for a RWD.

For it to be effective on the MS3, is at speeds over 155MPH.

I think that statement should be reevaluated. As the poster before me has stated, it is still important to keep the rear wheels on the ground.

I guess the only true way to find this out would be with a wind tunnel and a MS3 with and without a rear wing. I could really be thinking too far into this, it might just be there to distinguish it as a MS3 but I would like to think it is effective.

 

[Ryz]

A rear wing is only effective for a RWD.

For it to be effective on the MS3, is at speeds over 155MPH.

Where the heck do you get your info?

 

[AutoXRacer]

According to the Mazda dealer when I inquired about the MS3 and a sunroof, Mazda did not offer the sunroof option due to the disturbance of the airflow over the roof and wing. Supposedly, Mazda spent quite sometime in an air tunnel with the MS3...

 

[ill_eagle94]

Whoever is saying that a rear wing is not effective on a FWD car is crazy. As stated, it may not be for downforce but instead to reduce lift.

 

[Sierra117]

To be rehashed...don't matter if you car pushes, pulls, or splits the difference, the last thing I want is my rear end to get a bit squirrly at speeds. If the wing keeps the ass end stable, then I'll take it, thank you very much. Seeing as Automobile took the car to 165...I think Mazda spent some time making sure the car was pretty slipery.

 

[rodslinger]

A rear wing is only effective for a RWD.

For it to be effective on the MS3, is at speeds over 155MPH.

What are you smoking again?

Are you saying that reduced lift (or even increased downforce) at say 70mph while driving down the interstate wouldn't be beneficial when you have to do an accident avoidance maneuver. Keeping the rear in check helps ALL vehicle whether FWD or RWD....

Oh... And put your hand out the window at 55mph... Feel that? A wing can be effective at those speeds too.

 

[fourthmeal]

A rear wing is only effective for a RWD.

For it to be effective on the MS3, is at speeds over 155MPH.

Wow...just WOW. Making stuff up as we go along?



The rear wing reduces lift, yes. It can help on a FWD, RWD, or AWD car at speed. That exact speed depends greatly on the vehicle, and the wing, but I'd have to estimate it will start making a very slight difference at ~80mph, and increase in effectiveness logarithmically with speed. I imagine at 120 that the wing is QUITE effective in reducing lift, and it may be actually producing downforce by that speed. I can't tell, but it seems to stabilize the ass of the car pretty well.

If you want to know what such little differences can do to a car at speeds like this, simply look at the Audi TT. At 120+, the rear of the car would get squirrelly and they had multiple wrecks on the Autobahn due to the sleek wingless design. The TT soon had a lift-up spoiler similar to Porsche's design, and the wrecks caused by rear-lift ceased.

 

[Kosh]

We have a spoiler, not a wing. It is used to reduce turbulence, not create negative lift.

Read up everyone http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoiler_(automotive)

 

[fourthmeal]

I've always been taught that turbulence affects lift coefficient. So in essence both theories are correct I suppose.

 

[Mocoso]

We have a spoiler, not a wing. It is used to reduce turbulence, not create negative lift.

Read up everyone http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoiler_(automotive)

Ok Ill give you that they are spoilers and not wings... but you need to re-read the link you posted... you have it backwards...it is used to INCREASE the amount of turbulence and break up the laminar flow. Directly quoting "This disruption's primary purpose is to REDUCE the amount of lift naturally generated by the shape of the vehicle while it is moving."

IMHO that big ass spoiler in the back isnt there for looks... I really doubt they would do that for looks along with the rear diffuser (that is also there to help with vehicle dynamics) albeit I do think the side skirts and front diffusers are for looks only

I havent stuck my head under the car but I suspect there isnt any tunnel plates under there which MAY make the rear diffuser for show as well... my fluid dynamics class was wayyyyy tooo many years ago and besides I left that crap to the motorheads...

Interesting sidebit: On the McLaren MB SLR the rear diffuser extends to 10 degrees at speeds above 55 MPH and is flush below those speeds but it will extend to 65 degrees if brakes are applied hard to serve as an air brake... LOL amazing what gadgets over half a million dollars will get you

 

[Ryz]

Since the Wik entry says this "This can result in improved vehicle stability by decreasing lift or decreasing drag that may cause unpredictable handling in a car at speed." I think we mean the same thing.

 

[flipstylex]

i remember a time when i didnt know much about cars. A ricer i was talking to in the movie theatres told me this about his spoiler.

Me: Wow , nice spoiler(sarcastic), but don't you think it's a little too outrageous looking?
Ricer: I'ts an aftermarket, it's suppose to help your car.
Me: What do you mean by "help your car"
Ricer: Well, the guys at pepboys sold it to me, it's APC, it's the best wing out there.
Me: well...what does it do ???
Ricer: It's suppose to add 20hp bcuz the wind goes through it ..making the car stable , like a "floating" feel for your car !
Me: oOo..never knew that...
Ricer: You should get one, not my civic can go even faster ! Just don't go over 120mph, it might make the front end lift ....
Me: oOo, i see...
Ricer: yea, if u ever play gran turismo, u see cars lift at certein speeds !
Me: (i waited till he left and laugh my ass off !)

 

[dkswim]

hay some food for thought what about euro version with regular 3 spoiler. granted they have better underbody trays. but they can get on autobaun with higher sustained speeds.

 

[dkswim]

i dont know how effective our spoiler/wing are i do know a couple of army guys that had there srt4 over in Germany they had to put there spoilers/wings back on there car beacuse it started getting squilrly after 110 mph without the stock one on

 

[x'ed]

I want to swap mine for the base three wing i think, this one doesn't flow as smooth as the base mazda 3's does.

 

[staples187]

Take the wing off and your call will do backflips like gymnastics. (laugh)