Rear Spoiler/Aerodynamics

[SnowSurfLax]

So I've read that when a vehicle has a steep change in body direction (like our pathy's do) in the rear of a car that the wind creates a sort of vacuum behind the car that pulls it backwards and makes it less efficient.

Now, some punk a$$ stole my spoiler right off my car (just slipped out the screws and walked off with it I presume) and I'm curious if this is hurting my gas mileage?

Does anyone know if the rear spoiler on R50's helps deflect the air from creating a vacuum behind it? I know it helps keep the rear clean by deflecting dust and what not, but I also read how they recommend liitle widgets on the rear of SUV's to make vortexes to disturb the vacuum.

So any engineers out there have an opinion?

[Finny]

My 2cents.... I'm not an engineer but that piece of plastic they call a spoiler could never noticeably affect your gas milage.

Unfortunatly it just dosen't look right without it... I know mine is gone too. It's not too easy to find a new one either.

[KoukiS14]

Might as well upgrade, am I right?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWD1V

[Finny]

[SnowSurfLax]

Haha! [/quote] The Touring Style Spoiler comes without the brake light. The weight of the spoiler is 10lbs. The spoiler needs to be professionally installed by a body shop and holes will have to be drilled in the trunk [/quote]

That's funny. Does anyone know where the trunk is? I didn't know we had one!

Actually, I think I'm goign to order a pair of flat tailgate hinges and get rid of my protruding horns.

Though I'll still be a devil... 2

[SnowSurfLax]

Haha!

The Touring Style Spoiler comes without the brake light. The weight of the spoiler is 10lbs. The spoiler needs to be professionally installed by a body shop and holes will have to be drilled in the trunk [/quote]

That's funny. Does anyone know where the trunk is? I didn't know we had one!

Actually, I think I'm goign to order a pair of flat tailgate hinges and get rid of my protruding horns.

Though I'll still be a devil... 2 [/QUOTE]

I forgot my HTML

[fueler]

HTML doesnt work here! It's UBB code.

I don't think the spoiler is all that important, seeing as it was merely an option from the dealer (says so on my original window sticker) and I have seen a few QX4's without a spoiler. I know its a small pic but you get the idea.

[SnowSurfLax]

Yeah, I've seen them too. I definitely think I'm going that route.

I just wanted to know if it made a diff aerodynamically. My primary goal is MPG at the moment. When I do my first rebuild it'll be a mix of power and mpg. When I do my second rebuild (in 10+ years) it'll be about power and offroad capability. But by then it'll be a third car.

[fueler]

Damn u got some plans... thats pretty cool. I hope you stick with it.

my plan is to simply run my QX4 into the ground.... just maintain the trusty old VG33E til the QX is totalled or falling apart..... I basically want to get all my moneys worth!! as far as MPG.... do you have the 4x4 on a knob or on a lever?? If on a lever, you can install Warn locking hubs for $125, and they save you 2-3 mpg. they pay for themselves. Unfortuately they will trigger a flashing "4LO" light if you have 4x4 on a knob. The updated AUTO transfercase is completely different than the old transfer case. One has helical gears and the other has planetary gears.... i forgot which is which.... anyways the one on the knob has a mechanical oil pump which is driven by the front axles spinning.... a small electric one kicks in when the QX is standing still.... so u can not do warn hubs if you have a QX4 with 4x4 on a knob.

Hey snowsurf, we are supposed to be getting a cold storm.... if it does make it here, i'm going to be in search of snow at altitudes over 6000' !!

[SnowSurfLax]

Yeah, I love my car... for the moment. Who's to say I don't get fed up and push it off a cliff. But I like being a grease monkey and there are a lot of cars I'd like to build someday. Luckily I've got a wife who's supportive of it.

I already looked into the Warn hubs. No dice, I've got the nice knob that allows me to have the full time 4wd. I think it's better than the shifter style, but you pay for it.

MMmmmmm... SNOW! Are you going today? I haven't gotten a chance to play inthe snow with this rig since I live in a frickin sub-tropical climate.

[fueler]

no snow for me, unfortunately. but Wrightwood had some, just up the 15 freeway

I went to Fiesta Island this morning, there was barely any mud and it was pretty nasty!