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Aero mods I saw on a van?; What is this???
Topic Started: Aug 7 2011, 05:51 PM (2,231 Views)
Turbo Dan-O
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Obsessive Car Detailer

I was on the way home from the beach today and saw this big Dodge van with these things all over the back of it. Anyone have any idea what the deal with this is or how they work? Posted Image
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samsiam
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these draw the air in around the back ,this helps wih aero package
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iamgeo
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Big League

Airtabs
Each Airtab® creates two tight swirls of air or vortices that combine to reduce the suction and drag at the rear of vehicles traveling at speeds above approximately 35 mph or 55kmh. Airtabs™ are also effective at the rear roof lines of automobiles that have a rear window slope of greater than 30 degrees.
Edited by iamgeo, Aug 7 2011, 06:53 PM.
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Turbo Dan-O
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Obsessive Car Detailer

Cool. Will they work on my Metro?
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metroschultz
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Please just call me; "Schultz"

Yes, they work on a Metro.
I'd have to Google it, but, IIRC those are supposed to point into the wind, not away from it.
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Tofuball
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Strange Mechanic

This isn't scientific opinion or anything, but I'm willing to bet that there wont be a noticeable difference even if he turns them sideways. :)
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Cobb
BANNED

I got a dodge wagoneer I need to blanket in those. They are called vortex generators.
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Bad Bent
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Facetious Educated Donkey

I have had them on my Geo for 3 years.

Posted Image

I have since moved them 8" closer to the middle of the roof. My last tank was 55 mpg traveling through two canyons and a valley between 5,100' and 3,829'.
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dayle1960
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Fastest Hampster EVER

More pics BB, if you don't mind. I'm interested in the increased MPG's. Would you say it had a definite affect or did other mods create the good MPG's?
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Turbo Dan-O
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Obsessive Car Detailer

Yes, more pics and info please BB!

Dan-O
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JellyBeanDriver


makes me wish I built a small vacuum forming machine so I can make some of these to try out.
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iamgeo
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metroschultz
Aug 7 2011, 08:15 PM
Yes, they work on a Metro.
I'd have to Google it, but, IIRC those are supposed to point into the wind, not away from it.
You do not have to google it. I did it for everyone already. Just click the link in my post.
Edited by iamgeo, Aug 7 2011, 09:49 PM.
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GeoStalker
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"Chicks dig me and guys think I'm cool."

Each Airtab® creates two tight swirls of air or vortices that combine to reduce the suction and drag at the rear of vehicles traveling at speeds above approximately 35 mph or 55kmh. Airtabs™ are also effective at the rear roof lines of automobiles that have a rear window slope of greater than 30 degrees.

....and I'm assuming that's how Bad Bent installed them on his Metro???
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Bad Bent
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Facetious Educated Donkey

I got a set similar to these on eBay: $20 Vortekz Generators since $20 was not a huge risk if it didn't work.

These are the instructions: "The air flow separation point is when the air flowing over your car hits the point where your cars body design declines. On most vehicles it's the point where the rear of your roof transitions to the back windshield. The optimal point of installation would be 100MM (4") before the air flow separation point. On many vehicles the point is 100MM from their roofline. In the case of a dome shaped vehicle the Vortekz Generators Delta Wings should be optimally placed 100MM before the highest point in the roof and will need to be lined up accordingly. "

Here is a Q&A: http://www.sigmaautomotive.com/performance/vortekz/vortekz.php
Here is some aircraft info. with history: http://www.avweb.com/news/reviews/182564-1.html

I had them on the top of the hatch but I put some thin film strips on the back of the hatch and noticed a lot of turbulence. I looked at the curve of the roof and reasoned that it wold be best if the tabs were at the point where the roof sloped but certainly not below the level that the laminar air flow of say 2" would be above the tab. So they got moved and I do notice a little less dirt on the back window now. But that could be me. Certainly this town is no less dirty than it has been. :shake

Results. I don't have an A-B-A or other test and it's been 3 years since I installed them. :smackface Did I notice a significant difference? At first no but I think it was because I had them located at the hatch. I may have picked up 1-2 mpg with them located more toward the middle of the roof. I notice that after a rain the dirt on the roof changes direction from a steady straight line fanning out from my roof scoop to straight lines aimed directly at the rear of the car. They do have an effect.

My camera is not working with my computer but I'll try to get more pics up tomorrow.
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Wanna Beco
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you could do tuft testing with the roof line... pretty simple stuff too.
Edited by Wanna Beco, Aug 8 2011, 06:15 PM.
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