Using vortex generators on my car? - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Eddles · 04-30-2009, 11:55 AM

Hello all,

I've got a Vauxhall Astra ECO4. The Astra is a common as muck car in the UK, but the ECO4 is a rare factory modified Astra to improve areodynamics. Basically, Vauxhall stuck on underbody panels, spoiler, thin high pressure tyres and a very low ratio gearbox. As the spoiler is only found on the ECO4 - the standard Astra spoiler is very different, I can believe that it improves areodynamics, so would using vortex generators to improve flow towards the spoiler help?

Here's a couple images of the back of my Astra, and here's an image of the standard spoiler on someone else's Astra.

Thanks very much for your time in advance!

SVOboy · 04-30-2009, 01:11 PM

The value of vortex generators at all is in debate, I think, but I'll let someone else chime in on this one.

cfg83 · 04-30-2009, 02:12 PM

Eddles -

I have airtabs (see here), but I can't prove that they help.

Mine are designed for the end of truck trailers, i.e. boxy-ended shapes.
My advice is that if you have a boxy car like a Honda Element or a Jeep, they could help :

If you search this site, you will be able to find lots of "DIY" vortex generators that will keep your wallet plump and happy.

CarloSW2

MetroMPG · 04-30-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfg83

My advice is that if you have a boxy car like a Honda Element or a Jeep, they could help

Whereas my experience with boxy vehicles and a sedan is they made no measurable difference

- http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...fect-6381.html and http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...olla-2390.html

(Although that's with AirTabs, not delta style VG's)

I get the impression that VG's are seen by many as a magic bullet. They're not.

Recall that even in a scientifically optimised deployment of delta wing style VG's, Mitsubishi's results were a reduction in the coefficient of drag of just -0.006 .