Does the Rear Spoiler for the xB really add to performance or is it just for looks?

I mean does it help with down pressure at freeway speeds and above?

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No, spoilers on our boxes are purely cosmetic.

Just figured I'd give you the straight answer before you get flamed.

 

down pressure on the rear wheels? on a FWD car?

 

I guess I better put on my glasses and also my flame proof suit, hehe. Sorry if this has been posted before. I just wanted to know if the spoiler really did something before I shell out $

 

how about this...does it help in keeping the rear window cleaner?

my '05 rear window (no spoiler) gets dirty quickly...

 

Purely cosmetic, and would probably add to the drag of the car.

 

I've always wondered about the "rear window cleaner" thing myself, but have yet to hear anyone say it does keep the rear window cleaner. At least one person (somewhere here on SL, IIRC) has said it doesn't.

 

I have the OEM rear spoiler and it doesn't keep the rear window any cleaner then when I had no spoiler. Hope this helps...

 

For stability. Think about different kinds of racing. In drag racing the rear spoilers are huge because they need the downforce to keep the tires from spinning under power. However, in Nascar they have much smaller spoiler because it's not to keep tires from spinning but to keep the rear end stable and have more traction in the turns.

 

Nascar = 700-800hp, 160mph

Scion xB = 100hp, slow

 

The majority of the traction needed for cornering is in the FRONT wheels. If you se turning with enough G's to create oversteer in fwd car, you aren't traveling at high enough speeds to have the spoiler be effective and/or you don't know how to drive. What speeds do those race cars go again? ......

Now RWD cars need more rear traction during turns, not for cornering, but so they can accelerate OUT of turns without losing traction. In a front heavy car, understeer ALWAYS occurs before oversteer on turn in, unless you are driving like an idiot and inducing bad weight transitions and/or lift throttle oversteer.

 

get a HOOD spoiler!!

I rocked one on my old Sephia, it was a black one off a trans am at the junkyard :p Then I had a mopar one on there.

and no it wasnt a super double decker, more like a 1/2 inch lift flat spoiler.

 

I wasn't comparing the xB to a race car. I was just pointing out that a spoiler on a FWD car can have a purpose.

Take the Audio TT as a good example. It is FWD (can be Quattro) and it didn't have a spoiler when it was first released. People were losing control because the rear end became unstable at 110 MPH.
Spoilers are now standard on the TT. There are many people who've had their xBs up to 110. Once again I'm not comparing the xB to anything. I think the spoiler on the car is useless other than for cosmetic purposes.

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how "heavy" is the spolier anyways?

 

the spoiler is ABS plastic. it probably weighs less then 5 lbs.

yup it doesn't keep the window clean but it looks better then without one.

the car isn't even aerodynamic enough to need a "functional" spoiler.

i have the optional spoiler and im very happy with it. another alternative is a Carbon fiber replica and bBist has a few available too

 

Actually... No.
The audi TT didn't get a spoiler for performance. Yes... It does have a purpose, but not the purpose that you think. It wasn't to enhance stability, but rather to correct a design flaw. The tt's initial design was NOT properly wind tested, and it actually created lift at high speeds, and a considerable amount at that. Pick up enough speed and the car could get airbourne with road imperfections and pitch changes.

99.99999999% of spoilers are used to increade downforce and not to overcome lift. I really doubt that the xB's design produces any noticeable amount of lift at any speed. You would see a much larger benefit from suspension upgrades.

 

The xB spoiler serves another key role it creates some proffit for the poor souls who have to make a living selling these cars.
My xB is without a spoiler so far i haven't found one I really like.

 

I'm here for the gang bang...

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Hey, it does look REALLY nice, so there's your function. I wouldn't get an xB without one!

 

[quote="djct_watt"]thats what the guy just said....round cars do that. the TT, the Bug, even the 911.

as for the xB. its just like everything else for the car....its cosmetic.