96-00 Civic Hatch Spoilers

[thebrad]

Thinking about doing some minor aero mods on my Civic, figured I'd get your opinions on some readily available options.

First is an OEM product for the grey market Civic Type R, fairly ugly but after seeing a number of members on this board with partial kammbacks I thought it may have some merit:

Top view:
Profile:
3/4 view:

Other option is the Spoon spoiler which seemed more areodynamic to me as it just elongated the OEM spoiler found on CX and DX models stateside.


Are either of these options the least bit aerodynamically sound?

[LostCause]

Generally, you want the kammback to angle downwards to decrease the size of the separation bubble forming behind the car. I'd create a sloping kammback that extends as far back as rear-view vision will allow. The length of the rear canted glass creates an excellent opportunity to form a large fairing.

Those spoilers shown will not serve to decrease the trailing wake, but will partially kill lift instead. Your car experiences induced drag, which can be fairly significant. By killing the lift you lower induced drag and potentially improve mileage. I doubt the gains would be as beneficial as a true kammback, though.

- LostCause

[hondaworkshop]

I've got a 2000 hatch, and I've wondered the same thing. I think the CTR and Spoon rear spoilers look like they are designed for adding some rear downforce to stabilize the car at high speeds.

In the US, the DX has a spoiler, while the CX doesnt...or at least its really tiny

[thebrad]

Originally Posted by hondaworkshop

I've got a 2000 hatch, and I've wondered the same thing. I think the CTR and Spoon rear spoilers look like they are designed for adding some rear downforce to stabilize the car at high speeds.

In the US, the DX has a spoiler, while the CX doesnt...or at least its really tiny

The CX has the same spoiler with the third brake light as your DX, it's just not painted.

But I'll try the Spoon if you try the CTR, what do ya say?

[hondaworkshop]

Maybe its just a regional thing, but in my area CXs come with the regular rear spoiler, and DXs came with a larger painted spoiler cover, with the CX one underneath it.

[thebrad]

Originally Posted by hondaworkshop

Maybe its just a regional thing, but in my area CXs come with the regular rear spoiler, and DXs came with a larger painted spoiler cover, with the CX one underneath it.

Interesting to say the least, where are you located?

This is what I'm currently working with:

[trebuchet03]

What LostCause said

[hondaworkshop]

thebrad, what you have there is exactly what all the CXs here in Texas have, but the DX spoilers look like this:



Disregard my filthy window, those two reflective vinyl stickers, and the awful art-school painting in the background.

[thebrad]

Huh, how odd. I always thought the DX spoilers were exactly the same, I've even parked next to one in my condo's parking lot and never noticed that. DX spoilers are definitely the same in CA though.

Pretty cool stuff, we have a lot in common.
VSM EJ6s, failed artists, hypermilers and dirty cars!

[hondaworkshop]

Originally Posted by thebrad

Pretty cool stuff, we have a lot in common.
VSM EJ6s, failed artists, hypermilers and dirty cars!