air dam and vortec generators

[Huckfinn28]

Mine don't look as nice as yours SL8Brick but I do know that they are changing the air flow characteristics across the back of my 2002 Saturn. In the rain before the double VGs went on, my view out of the rear window was obscured by rain drops....they just sat there even at 60 mph. On the outside 12 inches on each side of the rear window was clear. The air flow was coming over the car but sliding to the outside and down the side of the car at the trunk. Now there are nice streams of water flowing straight down the window and back across the trunk. This tells me that I have successfully straightened the air flow out compared to before. It's the coolest thing to actually see someting work as it should.

[green swift]

Originally Posted by BamZipPow

Piccies?

What kinda vehicle do you have?

I have a 2001 suzuki swift 1.3 engine.

[green swift]

Originally Posted by SL8Brick

+1.......and what type of vortex generators did you use?

I made the shark fin type less drag more swirl out back Oh ya pics will be coming soon...

[SL8Brick]

Originally Posted by green swift

I have a 2001 suzuki swift 1.3 engine.

Nice car....my Wife & I used to have a `94 Swift sedan. That 1.3L was rather peppy.

Originally Posted by Huckfinn28

Mine don't look as nice as yours SL8Brick but I do know that they are changing the air flow characteristics across the back of my 2002 Saturn.

If you're refering to the pic of the silver Lancer above...that's not my car. Here's a pic of the "Vortekz" fins on my Volvo wagon:

[AMX]

Are the "Vortekz" fins worth buying?

[SL8Brick]

Originally Posted by AMX

Are the "Vortekz" fins worth buying?

I suppose that's a matter of opinion. Since VGs can be easily made at home from common materials, some folks find it difficult to justify the $20 cost. On the other hand, they could be considered more aesthetically pleasing than many homemade VGs...they can be easily painted-to-match for an OE appearance...and IMO, they're really a decent quality product for the $$ (although I do find some of their marketing techniques a bit questionable).

[AMX]

I don't mind paying the $20 for them. The Vertekz ones look good and if it's going to help slightly in gas mileage, i'm all for it. Have you had any experience with painting them? I'll probably get the primed ones if I do order.

[SL8Brick]

Originally Posted by AMX

Have you had any experience with painting them? I'll probably get the primed ones if I do order.

You can paint them with any enamel spray paint. But I had 2 sets professionally painted by a local bodyshop for my nephew's Camaro and my Dad's Mazda5. The plastic is somewhat pliable, so I had the bodyshop add a flex agent to the paint so it wouldn't crack over time.

[sonyhome]

OK, all that is cool, but what's the MPG gains from those lil' guys?
0% or 15%???

For some reason I never see that answer. I'd be happy
to buy and paint some if they make a difference besides
subjective "stability" improvments.

Also what's better? VGs or a spoiler above the trunk door
(I drive a CR-V, and even with its square shape doesn't
come with a stock spoiler unlike other SUVs/Vans).

Not sure anyone has made an objective measure of those
on cars with a systematic approach, and gotten positive
MPG results. At least I haven't seen these posts.

Cheers!

[SL8Brick]

Originally Posted by sonyhome

OK, all that is cool, but what's the MPG gains from those lil' guys?
0% or 15%???

For some reason I never see that answer. I'd be happy
to buy and paint some if they make a difference besides
subjective "stability" improvments.

Also what's better? VGs or a spoiler above the trunk door
(I drive a CR-V, and even with its square shape doesn't
come with a stock spoiler unlike other SUVs/Vans).

Not sure anyone has made an objective measure of those
on cars with a systematic approach, and gotten positive
MPG results. At least I haven't seen these posts.

Cheers!

IMO, its unrealistic to expect a drastic change in FE from any type of VG by itself. They're probably best used as a part of an aerodynamic supplement package(ie:w/grill block, underbody trays, ect.) Then again, I suppose its going to depend on the bodystyle and finding the optimum mounting position. Mitsubishi's testing concentrated on threebox sedans, so I believe that's where you'd potentially see the best improvement. I've installed them on three different twobox vehicles...my `93 Volvo wagon, a `99 Audi A6 Avant, and a `06 Mazda5. Like I mentioned in another post, none of these vehicles have yielded an increase in overall FE from the VG's alone. But I do know they're creating vortices. While driving on rainsoaked roads @ highway speeds, 2 counter-rotating vortices are faintly visible in the water mist behind the car. My Dad also noticed this in his Mazda5. And my friend with the Audi wagon says his rear window stays cleaner on the highway.

And Cheers to U2!