Where to buy vortex generator fins?

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi y'all,

I have been contemplating how to improve the trailing aerodynamics of my hatchback xA -- and on the commute home this evening, I saw a (apparent) race car on a trailer. It was a Mitsubishi sedan, with some low profile tires and a large (functional?) wing on the back -- some sort of SCAA racer, maybe?

Anyway, it had a row of small vortex generating fins along above the rear window -- I want to know if these are available to buy from someplace?

[whokilledthejams]

The Mitsubishi Evo and Subaru STI have functional vortex generators on their roofs, because they act to put the giant park-bench wings into airflow, making them work better at generating downforce (and drag).

It's been posted elsewhere here, but Mitsubishi put out a paper on their VG design.

You can probably buy ricer-ready knockoffs without half-trying, or spend the money on the real thing from Mitsubishi or Subaru (and have them probably be nearly as ineffective as the cheap knockoffs, because your car wasn't designed for them).

Google shopping results for 'evo vortex generator'
evo vortex generator - Google Product Search

[NeilBlanchard]

Okay,

Then, is there another type of aerodynamic device that could clean up the trailing air flow on a hatchback? Those tabs that are used on semi trucks look a little too difficult to pull off...

[azraelswrd]

The tabs from Airtab don't look too bad to remove (attached w/ either 2-sided tape or glue) but they do stand out and are a bit of an eyesore. However, I am very intrigued by the testimonials and their wind tunnel video. Could be worth checking.

www.airtab.com - The smart way to cut the cost of your highway fuel costs

[Deezler]

Try these, and do a scientific investigation of fe benefits. (be the guinea pig)

Welcome to Vortekz.com

[NeilBlanchard]

Hello,

The AirTabs are $200 (for a set of 80!) or $2.50 each, and the Vortekz are $20 (for a set of 10). I'm thinking of 2 sets of the Vortekz...10 for the roof, and 5 on each side, or maybe 3 sets...here's what they look like:


Now that I think about it, the AirTabs are $25/10 and they are larger, so...I dunno yet.

[Vince-HX]

I used a template off of gas-savers and they work amazing. About 30 min of work to make way more then I needed and scrap so no cost.

They are being only held on by painters tape to determine the final position via tuft testing.

I like Vg's and my i'll post up my first tank results later tonight but its my best tank yet, 515 miles with little under 1/8th tank left.

[cfg83]

NeilBlanchard -

I have Airtabs. I was worried that I wouldn't like the aesthetics either, so I made them reversible. I used business card magnets :



Then I put a strategic Neodymium magnet in the interior volume :



I haven't lost one since I installed them in March. I only take them off if I am going to wash the car. If I do lose any/all of them, I will probably get more and make them permanent because now I "like" the look.

CarloSW2

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi Carlo,

And -- how do they work?

[MazdaMatt]

I've seen a few threads about these, but nobody seems to want to run a test.