GT86 Aero Stabilizing Fins

[AndMsc]

Hello,

I am reffering to these:
https://item.rakuten.co.jp/auc-kazz-ra/enb136/

Can anyone explain how would they affect airflow?
Do you think they would reduce drag?

Thank you,
Andrei

[enderw88]

I doubt they would have any measurable effect.


They would increase drag, but not enough to notice outside of a wind tunnel.
They would not add any measurable (even in a wind tunnel) lateral force.

[gpvecchi]

Some japanese guy tested them and said that they are noticeable (but just a few) when drifting. Aestetic factor is the plus. I'm still debated...

[aemravan]

I imagine it works just like any air "turbulator". I'm sure you've seen the small shark-fin type additions atop of cars near the rear window. These accomplish the same thing as the dimples on a golf ball. At increased air speeds, the air cannot keep itself attached on the back end surfaces (like coming down the rear window), what this does is creates negative pressure drag behind the car. By "turbulating" the air, it allows it to hug the body more which increases the friction drag, but significantly reducing pressure drag. Obviously placement is everything and unless they have actual test data to back up their design and placement I can't say if they work, but in theory, yes, the idea could work.

[soundman98]

In other words these are amazing wallet-emptying devices

[aemravan]

for a street car? you can certainly call them that lol. for a true time attack car... meh, probably still a waste.

[AndMsc]

Originally Posted by aemravan

I imagine it works just like any air "turbulator". I'm sure you've seen the small shark-fin type additions atop of cars near the rear window. These accomplish the same thing as the dimples on a golf ball. At increased air speeds, the air cannot keep itself attached on the back end surfaces (like coming down the rear window), what this does is creates negative pressure drag behind the car. By "turbulating" the air, it allows it to hug the body more which increases the friction drag, but significantly reducing pressure drag. Obviously placement is everything and unless they have actual test data to back up their design and placement I can't say if they work, but in theory, yes, the idea could work.

Thank you, this is what I thought also.. That it would reduce the drag a bit. But ahh.. I don't know. I wish Toyota told us the reason behind creating these pieces.

[churchx]

To make money, because no matter if they work or not, there will be people that will buy them. They did grave mistake of not printing TRD logo on these though. That would allow to rise price and sale numbers

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by aemravan

I imagine it works just like any air "turbulator".

LOL

You mean "vortex generator."

I plan on buying some of the GCS plastic ones and using them to make a mold. The make my own set out of CF. Figured it would be a fun project.

It would be nice if someone would put these on a car in CFD to see what they do. I'd like to see a CFD of a car with the windows open since most track days require they be down.

[gpvecchi]

Originally Posted by AndMsc

I wish Toyota told us the reason behind creating these pieces.

[AndMsc]

Originally Posted by gpvecchi

I've seen this but it is not easy to understand cause it's in Japanese..

[JD001]

I've no idea why but this came to mind when looking at those funny aero things...

[churchx]

Why he has ketchup smeared all over body & face. Imho soy sauce would be more authentic JDM, no?

[lamawithonel]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Bmhuq38EYI[/ame]


The other thing these do is reduce wind noise. That's why they're so frequently used around side-view mirrors, where wind noise is really noticable. A lot of companies do this, too, not only Toyota. Look around next time you're in a parking lot.



For this particular product, they might also clean up and stabilize air around a rear wing, improving its performance. Use of vortex generators like this is pretty common in top-tier racing, like F1, WEC, DTM, SuperGT, hill climb, etc.



Whatever their true purpose, Toyota did not run them on any of their TRD parts-marketing cars, including the Griffon, which had a rear wing. Maybe they were too draggy or otherwise ineffective, or maybe someone just thought they were too [s]ugly[/s] radical and could negatively impact sales in other areas. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Without more data it's hard to know their true purpose or benefit-drag ratio, assuming they provide any benefit at all.