Newbie Question - MSP Wing Functionality
- Thread starter Mokfan
- Start date
We Are Ninja
Member
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- 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 GT; 2004 Mazda 6 Wagon
However, if you're talking about obscuring rearward visibility and making you second guess lane changes because you think the spoiler is a car in your blind spot, it's quite functional.
Ricktalife
Member
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- 2012 Subaru WRX
I wonder if wagonbacker will delete this thread since it has the word "wing" in it.
Gotta say I never heard that one before. I like the wing since it makes me look special compared to a normal protege. Though I'm not sure I should have used the word "special" and "protege" in the same sentence. Oops I did it again.
Gotta say I never heard that one before. I like the wing since it makes me look special compared to a normal protege. Though I'm not sure I should have used the word "special" and "protege" in the same sentence. Oops I did it again.
Too bad...I was hoping it adds usable downforce at everyday driving speeds. I'm all about form following function.
Surprisingly, the small wing on my '00 Saab Viggen adds 50% additional downforce over stock 9-3s. Of course, this is in conjunction with the lower front spoiler, rocker panel extensions, etc. I'm interested in getting an MSP as a second driver because of the similarities it shares with the Viggen - both are available with 5-speed manual only (with the same shift pattern - I hate having REVERSE in the upper left dog-leg), both have massive torque steer, both are available in similar exclusive colors, and both are very rare.
Surprisingly, the small wing on my '00 Saab Viggen adds 50% additional downforce over stock 9-3s. Of course, this is in conjunction with the lower front spoiler, rocker panel extensions, etc. I'm interested in getting an MSP as a second driver because of the similarities it shares with the Viggen - both are available with 5-speed manual only (with the same shift pattern - I hate having REVERSE in the upper left dog-leg), both have massive torque steer, both are available in similar exclusive colors, and both are very rare.
Unless you are doing serious enough track driving to actually need the added downforce, it's kind of pointless either way. Regardless of whether it's a Saab or Protege, adding downforce to the rear wheels isn't going to add performance on a basic day-to-day basis. In fact, adding any kind of wind resistance is going to slow the car down (Granted, a pretty minimal amount. But the amount of benefit from increased downforce it would add likely would be about as insignificant).
As for the Viggen, I actually believe the Viggen wing adds 50% more downforce. The OEM spoiler adds next to nothing in terms of downforce, so a 50% increase is pretty minimal.
As for the Viggen, I actually believe the Viggen wing adds 50% more downforce. The OEM spoiler adds next to nothing in terms of downforce, so a 50% increase is pretty minimal.
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- 03.5 YLW MSP
Never had an issue with mine in my vision in DDing... however it helps me a lot! Its almost at a perfect level to block most cars bright lights. Seriously it love it... its right in the middle of most of the high beams due to the people who can't freaking see and think they have to drive around with the brights on all night.
tweakingmsp
Member
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- 2003.5 MazdaSPEED Protege
We Are Ninja
Member
- :
- 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 GT; 2004 Mazda 6 Wagon
If I had a nickel for everytime I started the lane-changing process only to swerve back into my lane because I thought there was a similarly-colored blue car closing in beside me. (boom01)
I am neurotic about my blind spots, though...
We are talking about the 03.5 spoiler here right? if so +2
tweakingmsp
Member
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- 2003.5 MazdaSPEED Protege
yes
Wagonbacker9
Member
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- 2004 'Hoe
constructive discussion > senseless opinion-based arguing.
this is the one thing I miss.
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- 03.5 YLW MSP
yep its offical its just you... lol
IMO the rear wing is not functional.
Think of it this way - for any wing to work, it needs to create aerodynamic downforce onto whatever surface it's mounted to. If this wing is mounted to a solid structure, such as the chassis or rear strut towers - then any force generated will be able to go directly to the rear wheels. (ie. in a Formula 1 car, the rear wing is mounted directly to the chassis over the rear axle)
However, in the MSP the wing is mounted to the trunk. Notice how flimsy the trunk is? I would say that if you put any more than 20lbs on it the trunk lid would flex - therefore, the wing itself must not generate that much force on the trunklid!
If you want more traction to the rear tires, I think the best solution is to get rid of the wing and put a 20lb bag of cement in the trunk
Think of it this way - for any wing to work, it needs to create aerodynamic downforce onto whatever surface it's mounted to. If this wing is mounted to a solid structure, such as the chassis or rear strut towers - then any force generated will be able to go directly to the rear wheels. (ie. in a Formula 1 car, the rear wing is mounted directly to the chassis over the rear axle)
However, in the MSP the wing is mounted to the trunk. Notice how flimsy the trunk is? I would say that if you put any more than 20lbs on it the trunk lid would flex - therefore, the wing itself must not generate that much force on the trunklid!
If you want more traction to the rear tires, I think the best solution is to get rid of the wing and put a 20lb bag of cement in the trunk
I agree with this, but it does have negative consequences too - it blocks most headlights, but unfortunately sometimes I can't tell if there's a cop tailing me!
Ricktalife
Member
- :
- 2012 Subaru WRX
Well I'm sure you know that 90% or more of the information on this forum is purely opinion that has been labeled fact by the people that posted it.
...and I gladly contribute to the "facts" on a daily basis
Wagonbacker9
Member
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- 2004 'Hoe
Well I'm sure you know that 90% or more of the information on this forum is purely opinion that has been labeled fact by the people that posted it.
...and I gladly contribute to the "facts" on a daily basis
no, 90% of the info on here is repeated from a reliable source. that reliable source just isn't always that reliable.
but to address the "spotting the popo behind you" comment....
the popo is prb tailing you because they spotted the wing... so you kinda got hit twice there. lol
tweakingmsp
Member
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- 2003.5 MazdaSPEED Protege
Sad but most likely true.