Help choosing vortex generators

[Fit]

I am considering installing vortex generators on the back of the fit just before the rear hatch. Have been digging around on the internet recently and found two different styles:

'Vortekz' (Welcome to Vortekz.com)
and
'Air Tabs' (Home : Airtab)

Price is fairly similar between models, and both claim to improve aero. Has anyone seen any data floating around as to which design might be more effective. I am leaning towards the 'Vortekz' since the design seems more OEM, looks sportier, and... well they just seem more visually appealing.

Looking for input and if anyone has had good or bad experiences with either company/design. Are there other manufacturers out there that should be considered?

Thanks is advance!

[TestDrive]

Probably worth your time to read these two threads.
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...fect-6381.html
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...olla-2390.html

[Fit]

Just an update... after digging around some more, I located this paper votrex generators:

http://www.mitsubishi-motors.com/cor...004/16E_03.pdf

Seems the design of the Vortekz brand generators are pretty efficient as they are simmilar in design to the mitsubishi ones.... then again, of course mitsubishi would say their product is close to optimum

[Peter7307]

Have a look at the Autospeed (Browser Warning) site and type in Vortex generators in the search engine.
A series of 4 articles should come up.

Cheers , Pete.

[Frank Lee]

Help choosing vortex generators
************************

Choose the ones that are free and easy to take off again.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

I think you should concentrate your efforts on improving the nose and the sides of your car, to gain actual benefits. I tried the AirTabs on my xA, and had a loss of FE. I am currently using some homemade zigzag tape on the trailing edges of my car, and they may or may not be helping -- but they are not hurting my FE.

Here's the thread on what I've tried:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...mods-2969.html

The upper grill block, foglight covers, and the smooth wheel covers, and rear wheel skirts have all helped a lot (5-10% each!), and the zigzag tape at the top of the windshield helped some, too. The other zigzag tape locations (A pillars, side mirrrors) may be helping some, but I think less so.

[crexcrex]

I can readily see that inspite of countless experiments with vortex generators that this issue refuses to die a graceful death. Voretx generators do not work unless you are a delta winged fighter plane in the attack mode.
Vortex Generators do not work but the subject persists and it is probably due to various companies selling these easily knocked off plastic wedges for ridiculous prices.
Go ahaed and buy these ludicrous items whereas you can be putting the hard earned cash to work by filling your tank.Have you seen any high mileage vehicles using vortex generators? i hardly think so and if they did work i hardly think your vehicle or anyones elses can do mach 1 0r two...................good luck...........your loss is airtabs gain.

[ConnClark]

Originally Posted by crexcrex

I can readily see that inspite of countless experiments with vortex generators that this issue refuses to die a graceful death. Voretx generators do not work unless you are a delta winged fighter plane in the attack mode.
Vortex Generators do not work but the subject persists and it is probably due to various companies selling these easily knocked off plastic wedges for ridiculous prices.
Go ahaed and buy these ludicrous items whereas you can be putting the hard earned cash to work by filling your tank.Have you seen any high mileage vehicles using vortex generators? i hardly think so and if they did work i hardly think your vehicle or anyones elses can do mach 1 0r two...................good luck...........your loss is airtabs gain.

They do work and the Mitsubishi Lancer is proof. Unfortunately even when professionally done right by PhDs with a wind tunnel and extensive CFD simulation will get people only about 2% more mpg. The problem is the most people are not PhDs with wind tunnels and extensive CFD simulation results to guide them so they end up with a 5% loss in mpg.

If you are going to try this remember Airtabs were developed to use on big trucks with a bigger boundary layer due to their length. On a car its more than likely they will be far bigger than they need to be and cause drag.

The other vortekz type are going to require precise position and angle placement.

To get the best results you are probably better off fabricating your own because if they are too big they are causing drag. Don't attach them permanently until you know its working right. Remember that more is not always better. Also keep in mind that a significant improvement with just two will probably yield better results than perfect air flow with eight.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by ConnClark

If you are going to try this remember Airtabs were developed to use on big trucks with a bigger boundary layer due to their length. On a car its more than likely they will be far bigger than they need to be and cause drag.

According to the Mitsu report, the Airtabs are ideally sized (height wise) for the boundary layer thickness at the rear of the roof (about 30 mm). They're very close to the same height as the fin style VG's Mitsu employs.

That said, VG's are a waste of time for significant (or even detectable) fuel consumption reduction.

There's much lower fruit to be picked elsewhere.

[saabite]

According to the article on the Autospeed website they did good under the front of the car for highway stability. For example when a truck passes you and pushes the car to the side. Mounted in this configuration it didn't have any impact on mileage IIRC.