Vortex Generators - hopefully a rational discussion.

[dcb]

it is just that the chances of a positive effect seem far less than the chances of a negative effect, as I see it anyway.

[Joenavy85]

the only way to find out is experimentation, i don't see there being much of an impact on FE, but i've heard from friends that they have noticed differences in driveability/stability at highway speeds, especially with crosswinds and passing semi-trucks (hitting the wind deflected off of the front).

[Frank Lee]

For the sake of argument let's just say they work. The factory boys with supercomputers and windtunnels and teams of experts and a big budget were able to lower Cd by .006... and that's on specific, limited applications. Would they not utilize their hard-earned knowledge and put VG on all their models if it was worth it?

.006.

Doesn't that right there tell you how much this is worth obsessing over?

[diesel_john]

Why don't the super computer boys make their cars narrower and longer.
That might lower the drag.

[Frank Lee]

Because today's stylish motorist wants to be seen in an oversized cube.

[Joenavy85]

and why don't they use air dams from the factory? because the general public doesn't want that on their cars, maybe they did a survey that showed people didn't like the idea of VG's on their cars

[Pendragon]

Originally Posted by diesel_john

Why don't the super computer boys make their cars narrower and longer.
That might lower the drag.

Some do, such as the Prius. Look at its cross section compared to many cars. The windshield and hood line have obviously been tweaked to improve airflow.

Part of the reason many cars look like a brick is the efficiency of outside volume to inside volume that such a design brings to the table. (This is not true of all of them though. Just look at some of the "crossover" SUVs that are big on the outside and small on the inside.)

[Joenavy85]

if the super computer boys did all the stuff to make the cars as economical as absolutely possible than this site would only have one category, Driving Technique

[Frank Lee]

Say you do twice as good- .012. Still peanuts.

[ChazInMT]

I can't believe these resurfaced. They're gimmicks in 99% of the applications. My 04 Honda Civic is in fact and absolutely ideal candidate for these things, the back window is just a little too steep to maintain attached flow. But flying pigs would have to be waging the snowball war of the century in hell before I'd ever put VG's on my car.

However, I am considering this......





But I don't know if my brakes are strong enough to slow the car once this thing takes over. The only reason I'll have to keep the engine running is the power steering & brakes. (and AC on hot days)

I'm going to have to be careful of the shear power of this because, and I quote from the designer builder:

"Conversely the new DIT2-wing technology makes use of the compression ratio similar to the piston in your engine equaling a 10/1 compression ratio because the piston is housed in a sleeve. Likewise the DIT2 turbine is housed in a sleeve, which is designed to take full advantage of super low-pressure vortex action, which in turn generates an implosive thrust in opposition to explosive thrust. The thing to remember is that there is more energy in this pulling force than there is in brute pushing force."

The implosive thrust in opposition to the explosive thrust is what sold me! (I hope this does not violate the "Family Friendly" terms I agreed to in order to post in this forum)

When I get about 80 miles NNE of Vegas, this thing just really starts to work amazingly.