spoilers on FWD cars?

[ProjectPhantom]

this is a really stupid question.... and i apoligize.... do spoilers have any effect on FWD cars like the lude? if any good or bad? im thinkin to add a spoiler if it helps. but i dont see any point in addinf extra weight if it doesnt help.

[rubix777]

Most spoilers you see are aesthetic, however, to my knowledge (correct me if I'm wrong), they're practical for two uses, the huge ones are used for downforce. The smaller ones are used to "clean up" the air flowing behind the air.

I can include calculations, regarding flow over air foils and the drag caused by shapes that have not been streamlined, but I see no point in that giving a better understanding.

[CocaColaEatsPie]

True spoilers do create down force but why do you want down force in the rear of the car when the drive wheels are up front. Wouldn't that just push the rear of the car down, kind of taking force off of the front of the car??? And wouldn't that be bad?

[viet_lude]

i dont really think u hav to worry about havin the spoiler create enough downforce to take much if any "force" off the front wheels where the "heavy ass engine rests on" get mah drift ... well dude dat would suk if im wrong but never kno correct me please if needed

[kornflakes28546]

spoilers are just eye candy on our cars. whether or not to put on on your car...it's really up to you if you like them or not.

[exman98]

spoiler are really only good for doing over 90 mph and that is if you get one that only serves for aerodiynamics.
most other ones just creat drag

[ProjectPhantom]

well just simply put... spoilers are worthless on FWD cars? yes or no easy.

[Gohan Ryu]

Spoilers create downforce on the rear tires to improve cornering, not acceleration - except in NHRA dragsters. On Indy cars they are used just to keep the car on the road since those cars like to get airborn. Indy and NHRA are extreme cases and the same physics don't apply to the cars we drive on the street.

Most factory spoilers don't improve handling; they are used to create better laminar flow off the back of the vehicle to improve aerodynamics (better gas mileage).

Spoilers don't really do anything below 60-80 mph anyway since they rely on wind resistance to work. Think of it like an upside-down airplane wing - even small planes can't fly unless they're doing about 60-70 mph.

So to answer your question "Are they worthless on FWD cars?" - YES they are worthless on any car that was not engineered to have a spoiler. It has nothing to do with FWD or AWD or RWD for most applications.

But if you get one of those huge aluminum wing-type spoilers and set the angle to something crazy, then you will get enough downforce to affect your handling. You will also reduce the top speed of the car, reduce your gas mileage and be laughed at by most people !

[viet_lude]

i guess that was alit beyond a "simple yes or no" answer but i think Gohan Ryu gets the point over quite nice

[Master Hiko]

if u drive fast enough then yes u can use them on fwd. lift is bad for ne car, be that suv, wagon, or sports car. higher speeds mean more lift. a wing gives u stability at high speeds which u would lose had u not have it equipped. simple answer, yes