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Old 10-02-2009, 03:20 AM   #9 (permalink)
Christ
Moderate your Moderation.
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Troy, Pa.
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Pasta - '96 Volkswagen Passat TDi
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Carlos - Downforce. They use them in NHRA/IHRA as well.

I don't remember the whole reason they work, but I think I remember something about Bernoulli in there, or maybe I was day dreaming during that lecture. Either way, they're there to produce downforce.

OP - Check out the '99ish Pontiac Bonneville - that spoiler is for better aero, definitely. If it weren't there, the flow would curve sharply around the deck lid at the rear, funneling toward the center due to the overall shape of the deck area. It would be bad.

The spoiler, however, is probably neutrally helpful compared to the bare deck lid, since it's tilted up and it's a wierd shape/angle that I'm sure doesn't do much for aero at all.

The rear of the car seems almost perfect for aero from the rear windshield down, visually... it's not , but it seems that it is... if only they hadn't curved the deck lid like they did.
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