Ducktail Spoiler

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I've been quite taken by the idea of getting a ducktail spoiler fitted, which led me to the similarities between the roadster spoiler and the (older shape) Audi TT.
I seem to remember quite a number of years ago, when the older shaped Audi TT was released, there was some form of recall so that they could fit duck tail spoilers to them to increase downforce. (or so I believe??). Do ducktail spoilers add downforce to roadsters running that shape spoiler??

My thoughts were that road cars didn't run at fast enough speeds to really benefit from rear spoilers (which confused me somewhat when Audi thought the ducktail would make things honkey dorey), but was wondering if I was totally wrong??

[Anonymous]

My guess and it's purely only a guess is thats it's cosmetic and may serve no purpose. I've one fitted and think it goes well with the lines of the MR2 Roaster well.
Perhaps one of the great techy ppl can help you.

Cj

[markiii]

bearing in mind it's a spoiler not a wing yes I expect it works

[Tem]

I have no idea about Audi, but don't the ducktail spoilers for us mount only on the plastic bumper? And aren't the spoilers itself some plastic/PU/FG anyway? If it created any useable downforce, I bet it would either break itself or rip the bumper.  s:? :? s:?  

Think of it this way, would you jump on it to create the downforce? That's roughly the forces you're looking at from the airflow with working wings/spoilers.

[Anonymous]

bearing in mind it's a spoiler not a wing yes I expect it works

WOW! not only do i have a little red pocker rocket, i also have serious groundforce....  s:bounce: :bounce: s:bounce:

[Chris_h]

I think it is more to do with managing the airflow as it leaves the car - it could be bendy and still makle a difference, I don't beleive it has to be an F1 style wing! - but then again, wobbly obviously limits effectiveness.

ISTR the AUDI issue was at autobahn speeds.

[northernalex]

Well I'm selling my massive CF wing.. that has serious downforce, but serious uglyness on a non kitted car..

Regarding the ducktail spoiler, anything that increases the "length" of the car will reduce its overall wind resistance - so it has to be good   s:) s:)

[muffdan]

I have no idea about Audi, but don't the ducktail spoilers for us mount only on the plastic bumper? And aren't the spoilers itself some plastic/PU/FG anyway? If it created any useable downforce, I bet it would either break itself or rip the bumper.  s:? :? s:?  

Think of it this way, would you jump on it to create the downforce? That's roughly the forces you're looking at from the airflow with working wings/spoilers.

The TTE ducktail has metal brackets behind the bumper plastics anchoring the spoiler to the steel work. It's an absolute bugger to put on and off!

Jason

[Anonymous]

I think it is more to do with managing the airflow as it leaves the car - it could be bendy and still makle a difference, I don't beleive it has to be an F1 style wing! - but then again, wobbly obviously limits effectiveness.

ISTR the AUDI issue was at autobahn speeds.

Mine dos'nt wobble, then have we concluded the ducktail spoiler gives serious groundforce however minimal?
Awaiting to pop open the cork on this wine to celebrate   s:| :| s:|

[loadswine]

Don't worry about the spoiler, just drink the wine!!!!  s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

[markiii]

I have no idea about Audi, but don't the ducktail spoilers for us mount only on the plastic bumper? And aren't the spoilers itself some plastic/PU/FG anyway? If it created any useable downforce, I bet it would either break itself or rip the bumper.  s:? :? s:?  

Think of it this way, would you jump on it to create the downforce? That's roughly the forces you're looking at from the airflow with working wings/spoilers.

The TTE ducktail has metal brackets behind the bumper plastics anchoring the spoiler to the steel work. It's an absolute bugger to put on and off!

Jason

TTE don;t make a ductail, thats a Toyota UK item

[markiii]

a WING CREATES downforce

A SPOILER just SPOILS teh airflow to prevent nasty things happening

there is a difference

[Tem]

Regarding the ducktail spoiler, anything that increases the "length" of the car will reduce its overall wind resistance - so it has to be good   s:) s:)

That's easy to test. Drive 60mph and let the car coast on neutral. Mark the place where it stops. Repeat 5 times, take shortest and longest out and average the other 3. Then repeat without the spoiler.  s;) s;)

Wouldn't be the first appearance mod that actually increases the wind resistance. Not that I ever tested one, I just have one collecting dust in my garage.  s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

[StuM]

IIRC the TT problem was a lack of high-speed stability - exagerated on corners.  The ducktail spoiler that was fitted resolved this issue, along with some suspension tweaks - basically a*se covering (literally!) but something that 99% of TT owners would probably never need:

2000 Audi TT Recall ID from NHTSA: 99V300000
Auto Recall Date: 11/10/1999
Vehicle Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 6200
2000 AUDI TT Defect Summary:
PASSENGER VEHICLES. IN SHARP HIGH SPEED TURNS OR ABRUPT LANE CHANGE MANEUVERS AT SPEEDS SUBSTANTIALLY ABOVE POSTED SPEED LIMITS, AND DEPENDING UPON ROAD CONDITIONS, PRECISE STEERING RESPONSE MAY BE DEMANDED TO RETAIN DIRECTIONAL STABILITY.
Defect Consequence:
IN THE EVENT CONTROL IS LOST, A CRASH MAY OCCUR RESULTING IN INJURY.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT STABILIZERS IN FRONT DRIVE AUDI TT'S AND THE FRONT AND REAR STABILIZERS IN AUDI TT'S EQUIPPED WITH QUATTRO DRIVE. A MODIFIED CONTROL ARM WILL BE INSTALLED IN FRONT TOGETHER WITH FIRMER SHOCK ABSORBERS IN FRONT AND REAR. IN ADDITION AUDI WILL INSTALL A REAR SPOILER.

Even very small wings have a dramatic effect on airflow over the car.  Check out the size of air-brakes on cars like the Veyron, and the automated spoiler that pops up on Boxsters.

[Tem]

REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR STABILIZERS
MODIFIED CONTROL ARM WILL BE INSTALLED IN FRONT
FIRMER SHOCK ABSORBERS IN FRONT AND REAR
REAR SPOILER

I have no trouble believing that changing the shocks, stabilizers and control arm makes the car handle better.  s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  

Would be interesting to know if anyone can notice the rear spoiler while driving, without knowing if it's there or not.

[loadswine]

I've got a larger item than most and apart from obstructing my rear vision, i haven't noticed it gives any real driving benefit at all.

[Anonymous]

I've got a larger item than most and apart from obstructing my rear vision, i haven't noticed it gives any real driving benefit at all.

Have you tryed puttin ya foot down abit?   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

[northernalex]

I've got a larger item than most and apart from obstructing my rear vision, i haven't noticed it gives any real driving benefit at all.

Have you tryed puttin you foot down abit?   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

I dont think nigel has a foot "up" position  s:) s:)