Functional aluminum wing

[transient]

Ok, i've got to get some body work done pretty soon and that means getting a new spoiler as well. I've been thinking about getting an aluminum spoiler, but I don't know whether it would do me any good or not. I'd much rather not have something overly huge, so if it's got to be 3 feet tall before it does anything for me, then i'm just going to go with a tiny spoiler for looks. So anyway, is it worth it? (i'd be getting an adjustable one as well, no reason to have it otherwise)

[DrDubbleB]

Actually, the bigger they are, the less functional they are for normal driving.  You have to be going at very high speeds for most of the GT wings to work.  Personally, I don't like massive aluminum wings either, but if they are short aluminum wings, then if you got the goods, go for it.  A lot of people feel that aluminum wings are rice, but I don't like wings that are painted the same color as the car...personal preference.  I hope I answered your question.

[Goodbar6]

Well, unless your 240SX is a road course car that sees speeds upwards of 140MPH, you really dont need one. My advice, would be to get one like this:
http://www.bomexaero.com/images1/s13/ad022.jpg or like this http://www.bomexaero.com/images1/s13/ad248.jpg

They tend to look pretty nice on S13's. Good luck on the body work and the such!
Tyler

[Goodbar6]

http://www.bomexaero.com/images1/s13/ad399hb.jpg This is how that first one looks from the side! By the way, these are all taken from www.bomexaero.com
Tyler

[transient]

Well, I know that spoilers are functional way before 140 miles per hour. If I get the aluminum style wing, it's not going to be for looks, it would just be so I can change the handling characteristics of the car (preferably for the better). Now if i'm not mistaken, which I may be, the spoilers in those pictures really aren't going to do anything at all. Maybe the second one will, but I don't think the first would.

I don't think it's a question of having the balls to get a big rear wing. If someone wants to call it rice, then
Fuck'em. Even at 40mph, the right wing setup is going to give you a bit more traction on the rear end, and more traction = a faster corner. I just don't know what that setup is. Like I said, I would like one that is adjustable, because I don't think it would be worth it otherwise.

[BadMoJo]

Anyone Have picts of small aluminum wings on S13's or S14's? if so, POST EM!! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[West]

Aluminum Wings are for Hondas.

They serve no purpose other then to make you look gay.

[RoNx777]

I was thinking of gettin a GT wing for my S14 also but after &quot;F&amp;F&quot; came out it seems like everyone out with some kind of mods on their car has a GT wing....now i gotta look into something else.

[Coldsun]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from WeST on 1:39 pm on Feb. 27, 2002
Aluminum Wings are for Hondas.

They serve no purpose other then to make you look gay.
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

LOL, i agree man, they look like crap on hondas, and i can only imagine how they'd look on a 240

i'll tell you this, i think they are poop, and look like giant bookshelfs ... but if you really wanted one , i'd make sure it was adjustible to the point were it could be really low... Cuz like the guys were saying the huge wings you see on road race type cars are on there cuz there going fast as ####... you probably wont so you aren't gonna need it to high anyway..... and there for man all you need to get is a normal freakin spoiler...

truthfully i'm to the point were i think most cars would LOOK better without spoilers... or atleast very small simple spoilers.. i know your not going for looks anyway, so like i said all you need is something low anyway
-Sun

[BadMoJo]

I am just curious to see what a small one would look like on our cars. Because I have yet to see one that looks good. I was thinkin about the Bomex &quot;drift style&quot; wing, but that might be a bit big, I have not really seen to many picts of it actually on an S14 yet.

[transient]

ok, that's what I needed to know. I was only going to go with the aluminum wing if it would help out traction. Since it apparently won't, this is what i'm going to get:&lt;img src=&quot;http://www.spoilers.com/images/spoilers/ni240SX406.jpg&quot; border=&quot;1&quot; align=&quot;bottom&quot;&gt;

(Edited by transient at 3:57 pm on Feb. 27, 2002)

[uuninja]

Unless you are planning to spend a lot of time on the track road racing your car. The Big GT style aluminum wing is not gong to do a thing for you but add weight and drag. What is worse unless you know a thing or 2 about suspension tuning and aero tuning then you will probably do more harm to the handling of your car than good. In reality the stock factory spoiler will do more for stability than the an aluminum wing.

If you are in to the look of a big aluminum wing and turning heads, then more power to you. But understand that is probably the only real benefit you will get out of it.

[HippoSleek]

My $0.02: &nbsp;The problem with any aftermarket wing is that if you expect it to be functional, there has to be serious thought involved. &nbsp;Yes - wings do provide downforce that may be noticeable at speeds as low as 50 mph. &nbsp;However, there is a distinct trade off with top speed. &nbsp;Just as it may help plant the car at speed - it may have a greater effect at slowing the car down. &nbsp;Of course, some &quot;combat&quot; wings (years ago when those were the fad) were so poorly engineered that they either a) don't work in clean air or b) actually provide lift!

I guess my point is that to determine the utility/effectiveness of a wing, you have to take it to a wind tunnel or buy a product that has been wind tunnel tested for the specific application. &nbsp;If you CAN'T do that, a big wing is just for looks.

[240meowth]

i think the lip spoiler on the m5 looks excellent. &nbsp;i personaly think aluminum wings r gay as well

[ca18guy]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from HippoSleek on 2<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>3 pm on Feb. 27, 2002
Of course, some &quot;combat&quot; wings (years ago when those were the fad) were so poorly engineered that they either a) don't work in clean air or b) actually provide lift! </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

HAHAHA I so wanted one of those like 3 years ago, that was the style. &nbsp;Thank god i was'nt dumb and bought one.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I guess my point is that to determine the utility/effectiveness of a wing, you have to take it to a wind tunnel or buy a product that has been wind tunnel tested for the specific application. If you CAN'T do that, a big wing is just for looks.
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

I was gonna say that, but I try to stay out of these type post's cause of my distaste for these wings (always end up posting in them anyway) &nbsp;I liken it to the person that try's to use a &quot;butt dyno&quot; to tune there car, it's pointless to have an adjustable wing cause you would never know if it was adjusted right.

[tnord]

i think hippo has provided the best information on this subject, but i'll try and pitch in as well

yes the wing will provide downforce at low speeds, but i wouldn't think it's significant enough to notice

lots of track time is really the only way to tell if a wing is beneficial or not, as hippo said, you will get more downforce aiding you in the corners, but they provide such significant amounts of drag that top speed and acceleration will be hindered so greatly that lap times will actually increase.

if you want one, get one, along with a big sticker of the middle finger to put on your rear windsheild <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

(Edited by tnord at 2:35 pm on Feb. 27, 2002)

[j1n102]

type-x....period.

[blaqsilvia]

Here is my gt wing-- I switch between this and my supra wing..
http://www.monmouth.com/~psallo/1silvia22702.jpg
http://www.monmouth.com/~psallo/2silvia22702.jpg
http://www.monmouth.com/~psallo/3silvia22702.jpg

tell me what you think people-- and yes-- it does help out -- like after 100mph it actually becomes very secure and keeps my back end from vibrating and swinging when i switch lanes.. its hot! its made by focuz... single deck gt wing.... :o

[DuffMan]

I think the fastbacks look better without any wings. I wish mine didn't have the stock spoiler.

[BlankFlip]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from DuffMan on 6:10 pm on Feb. 27, 2002
I think the fastbacks look better without any wings. I wish mine didn't have the stock spoiler.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

he's not talking about looks though, sounds like the main concern here is performance n gettin' ur money's worth for it.

[transient]

Thank you blankflip!!! People seem to be TOTALLY missing the point of this thread.

Also, hippo, that's exactly the answer I was looking for.

(Edited by transient at 6:24 pm on Feb. 27, 2002)

[BadMoJo]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from transient on 3:20 pm on Feb. 27, 2002
Thank you blankflip!!! People seem to be TOTALLY missing the point of this thread.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Yeah I noticed that and it bugged me. I am just looking for some picts of smaller aluminum wings that ACTUALLY work, cuz I know there are some out there. I just dont know which ones.

[HippoSleek]

BTW: I thought I'd also throw in that I've heard a few hardcore 240 vetrans state that the stock spoilers (when combined w/ factory front lips) were very helpful in stabalizing the car above 100mph, relative to a duckbill/wangun (like above) or nothing at all. &nbsp;I think that's probably about the best mix. &nbsp;

Now if I can just get a certain ghetto image out of my mind... ugh!.!.!...

hey blacksilvia.. hwere'd u get ur kit.. it's nice.. also.. where'd u get ur wing?

[BlankFlip]

here's 2 pics of them on an s14 n an s15 that i had on my cpu:

http://communities.msn.com/_Secure/0OgCGBhsUazgzWLjt3PxCH95APZd1nSRfeqspFetnkHwVXKNd5 R4bptPGCFS!3cn2bPsCFE7Fk58HtUubdoPJPWP6J
BnQgX3B/240LeftSide.jpg

http://communities.msn.com/_Secure/0NwBoBmMSOd6W4oL2ja7FSk2DjSwi4HZhdJjzD0c8kQIjds5PL CpjxwopD5YufSqfN0kB6A9yTp0P8oAxZl5EHw/017_051a.jpg

[DuffMan]

Heh, sorry. In terms of performance, yeah it would help, but is it worth the cost? Do you do high speed track racing or mostly autoX or road racing where the turns are slower?

I dunno how much those things cost, but you should ask yourself if for the type of turns you take, would a suspension/tire upgrade be a better use of the money.

[BlankFlip]

okay, after thinking of the concept of the aluminum wings n all, would the r34 gt-r wing be an option? here's some samples:

http://store3.yimg.com/I/jspec_1678_1142431

http://store3.yimg.com/I/jspec_1678_1254067

if u wanna see the rest of the pics (i put those 2 to give u an idea, here's the jspec.com link: <a href="http://www.jspec.com/r34gtswing.html" target='_blank'>http://www.jspec.com/r34gtswing.html</a>

also duffman, i see what ur saying. personally, i like the no spoiler idea n will probably keep my car like this, but he sounds really interested about 'em. why not just do it right the first time u know? btw, for spoilers, they're really not that bad cost wise.

[transient]

Yeah, the cost isn't a big deal. Basically, i'm in the market for a new wing and if I could get some performance out of it, that would be really cool, otherwise i'm going to get the one I posted earlier in the thread, basically the stock spoiler, but not made of foam, Blech.

Anyway, I don't really drive at high speeds much, usually just on back roads and I'd like to get into autocrossing.

(Edited by transient at 6:52 pm on Feb. 27, 2002)

[bing]

i dotn car what the purpose of thread is, you got a black or charcoal grey car right... i think a small aluminum wing would look okay on it.

if it helps perfornace.. all the better, i dont know much a bout the science, but it'll be an extra 2-3 pounds on the back end so that'll do whatever it does <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[blaqsilvia]

my body kit is from erebuni and the wing was bought a local street racing performance shop.... the wing brand nameis focuz... the shop is much like theone &nbsp;in F&amp;F where everyone bought there parts from... ok- ne more ?'s

[Fuzzy Ewok]

Personally, I think if you're going to put on a GT wing, it should be there for a reason. And if you're putting on the GT wing for a reason (like downforce), your body kit should also be centered around stability for your car. Otherwise, they're just there for looks. Now, I've seen a few cars that had GT wings on 'em and looked nice. But it's a rare case for me not to point and laugh with my friends as we cruise by.

<a href="http://www.veilside.com" target='_blank'>http://www.veilside.com</a> has a Universal GT wing if you want to go look. It's pretty low key, but I have no clue about functionality or if it's adjustable or not.

[transient]

Not to be rude here, but did you even read the thread?

[Thurazor]

Brian, I didn't read this thread at all, but I'm guessing you want strictly looks. :cheesy:

A wise man once said, &quot;If you go with performance, you look fast racing at the track.&quot;
&quot;If you go with looks, you look fast sitting at a stoplight.&quot;

[Thurazor]

*edit* double post by accident :/

(Edited by Thurazor at 6:22 pm on Feb. 27, 2002)

[wherezmytofu]

the question should be at what speed does the wing become functional?...and the answer is about 80mph <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

[Fuzzy Ewok]

I assume that reply was to me? The answer is yes, if it was...several times, actually.

You said that having a huge wing doesn't do much for you (I assume you mean the aesthetics), and that cost isn't a big concern. Well, as an option that no one had mentioned, Veilside's GT wing is rather small, but unfortunately, they don't have a pic of it on a 240.

It's generally correct that a large GT wing wouldn't help you too much at lower speeds. A pic was posted of the C-west...but then again, that's a whole different car used for a whole different thing. The GT wing serves a true function there for that application. For slower, non-race situations, the added drag would mostly likely be considered a larger negative than the added rear end downforce and stability it would offer. But that's just my guess, based on my knowledge of physics and aerodynamics.

Good luck finding real numbers on the payoffs/drawbacks of GT wings that are publically available. I've looked around, and reliable numbers just don't exist, or else they're really tough to come by. I suggested the Veilside wing because it was smaller, and they may have actually done some research with it. You'd have to contact them to find out, though (and I'm sure they'd lie to you if they haven't put research behind it).

I think at lower speeds (and high speeds too), if you're really considering a GT wing, you need to look at pairing it with a body kit that takes it into account, and focuses on putting the right amount of downforce in the right places, etc. More than likely, that's a custom job, but if cost isn't a problem...

[transient]

Ok, it seemed earlier as if you thought I wanted something that just looks good. Thanks for the info, and you're probably right, I would need a full well designed body kit to take advantage of the right downforce in the right place, so the #### with it. I'm just going to get the one tha tI posted a bit earlier in the thread.

[black0ut]

transient-

Where are you getting the stock-looking wing from? I also like the stock look, but could use something rather than foam. Thanks in advance!

[DSC]

Someone did a test at a racetrack using a smoke machine to see where the air flow was. They found that the front lip spoiler did almost nothing on an s14 and that for a wing to even get into enough airflow to provide any downforce it would have to be almost even with the roof of the car because it is the saloon style not fastback. They unfortionately didn't test an s13FB.

Here's some good reading...<a href="http://www.ukcar.com/features/tech/Aero.htm" target='_blank'>http://www.ukcar.com/features/tech/Aero.htm</a> I could post the more important little facts in here but if your too lazy to read it all, then you don't really deserve to know <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[Tuck&Poke]

well if you put an adjustable GT wing its going to give you d/f and the good thing is its adjustable so if you want to run more top speed make the angle less severe if you want to get more downforce make the angle more agressive. &nbsp;it might not look stunning but who cares its all about preformance. &nbsp;the more surface area the wing has the more downforce and possibly the more drag. &nbsp;depends on how its designed. &nbsp;you can add downforce w/o adding drag. &nbsp;(make tunnels under the car but thats expensive to do custom and you can do some other stuff...not sure what they are though) &nbsp;im gonna get a c/f one once i get the money to get some power outa that ka. &nbsp;till then its staying stock. &nbsp;a gt wing will ad stability. &nbsp;you gotta also even it out though by adding downforce to the front. &nbsp;you could do that with little winglets.

[transient]

Sweet, thanks a lot. Btw, the stock looking wing is style 406 here: <a href="http://www.spoilers.com/wings/niss240.htm" target='_blank'>http://www.spoilers.com/wings/niss240.htm</a>

[rancid240]

i would only go with an R34 GTR wing or a bomex wing...

or a triple deck battle wing with yellow type R stickers