Spoilers/ "Wings" Pointless on FWD Cars?

[Threeyearitch]

Maby this is a stupid question, maby not. Either way, I've been wondering... If spoilers/wings (depending on if your car's a domestic or an import ) are used to create downforce, then aren't they pointless on a front wheel drive car? There used on RWD cars to help sort of 'push' the tires into the pavement I thought. The only benefit I can see would be to keep the back down maby during high speeds? Anyone care to clarrify (sp)? Thanks

[3.4grandam]

i definetly have a remark on those stupid things. those big spoilers dont do shit for a front wheel drive except give it a gay look thats all they do. people wit those just watch fast and the furious 2 much

[LeBuick]

Originally Posted by 3.4grandam

i definetly have a remark on those stupid things. those big spoilers dont do shit for a front wheel drive except give it a gay look thats all they do. people wit those just watch fast and the furious 2 much

Don't have a wing or a desire to get one but that is one great movie! And Eva Mendez!!!!

[Greenblurr93]

ok yes they serve no purpose in FWD cars, how ever, some people put them on because they think they look good....

[Threeyearitch]

Ok, thanks. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything. Wasn't realy trying to turn this into a debate :P

[RickwithaTbird]

if you're going really fast through a corner then yes. The weight of the wing might give a little more traction.

[mysatilac]

it would look stupid with a wing on the front...
But yeah even though I'm going for a sporty look on my car I dont think I'll be gettin a wing anytime soon. Although I have thought about it. Again, just for looks, no real performance gains because downforce in the back should actually take weight off the front where these FWD cars need it...

[ExtreemATV]

I think they look great on any car but when they go over the top it looks terrible.

[wonword]

Those wings do help in some cases!! If your just talking about buying a Universal spoiler the no, it will not do anything. See, every car has different areodynamics, and if you we're to tune a wing to the specifics of where the airflows, it can add downforce to the rear end. Why would a FWD car want down force in the rear end? The only way it would really be effective is cornering at very high speeds, this can also be done by adding a special lip on your trunk.

[Oscuro]

*cough* Phsyics.

For most any wing/spoiler you see on the street, I can pretty much guarantee it doesn't do jackshit other than add weight to the vehicle.
However, if the wing/spoiler is actually tuned to produce downforce, then yes, it is useful on a front wheel drive car as well. Why? Because typically, most FF cars have a front-rear balance ratio somewhere between 60/40 and 52/48. Adding downforce to the rear end can help balance the car, and keep the rear end a little more planted. However, this is best used in conjunction with a front spoiler as well, which are usually added to the front end above a splitter.
Need verification of this? Watch BTCC Touring cars, all of those vehicles run wings and spoilers, be they FF, or FR.

Remember though, if you are thinking of buying a wing for your car from the aftermarket, it probably isn't going to do anything more than add weight, not downforce.

[-Davo]

You guys must of missed my thread in Stress Relief.

Wings looks shit, and they don't do anything (unless you plan on travelling at ultra-high speeds).

[Reed]

for those of us who do like to do more than travel in a straight line, wings are very helpfull. (drag racing is boring) I myself dont drive a front drive car (I hate them), but if a front drive car is well balanced and the suspension setup is good then it will sometimes oversteer coming out of turns and in that case a well designed wing will do a lot to keep those back wheels planted and allow for higher exit speeds and entry speeds. but of course most people who have wings on the street dont need them. we call those people ricers. (that being said, my widebody and big F-in wing should arive in about a week)

wings are very different from spoilers. spoilers spoil the lift created over the rear deck of a car and wings creat downforce.

[ec437]

Originally Posted by Reed

for those of us who do like to do more than travel in a straight line, wings are very helpfull. (drag racing is boring) I myself dont drive a front drive car (I hate them), but if a front drive car is well balanced and the suspension setup is good then it will sometimes oversteer coming out of turns and in that case a well designed wing will do a lot to keep those back wheels planted and allow for higher exit speeds and entry speeds. but of course most people who have wings on the street dont need them. we call those people ricers. (that being said, my widebody and big F-in wing should arive in about a week)

wings are very different from spoilers. spoilers spoil the lift created over the rear deck of a car and wings creat downforce.

You obviously don't know how oversteer works. FWD will nearly always understeer.

[Reed]

youve obviously never watched a touring car race.

[RickwithaTbird]

U guyz R str8 trip'n! U obviously didnt know dat wing turned dis Malibu n2 1 mean race machine! Plus it looks mad ill son. Dont B humma stuntin' play hatas! One.