Why do people delete their spoilers? Aren't they functional?

[Ghost001]

Why would someone delete the stock Mustang GT spoiler? Isn't the spoiler functional? At least, at high speeds, or taking a turn at a high speed?

The main reason I could see, is that it makes the car look cleaner, or like less of a NASCAR car. Or maybe they just don't like the look of the stock spoiler, and it's not worth replacing it with a different one? Or, are the stock spoilers not really very functional?

 

[Snarf]

Im sure they're functional to a degree, but you would have to be doing over 100 to get much downforce from it.. and what little downforce the stock wing makes would be gimpy and lame compared to some of the aftermarket ones.

Just my .02

 

[Ghost001]

Im sure they're functional to a degree, but you would have to be doing over 100 to get much downforce from it.. and what little downforce the stock wing makes would be gimpy and lame compared to some of the aftermarket ones.

Just my .02

Well, that makes some sense.

I guess, even if it were more functional, I wouldn't want to put an even bigger spoiler on my car. Also, wouldn't a bigger spoiler have more drag, at lower speeds? It seems like a bigger spoiler would not be very helpful, at a drag strip, because of the relatively low speeds, and because you aren't making any turns. Also, I like being able to see out the rear window.

I've heard that a spoiler only helps if you are doing at least 80 mph, and making a turn.

 

[MUSTANGLANCE]

Here's why I took mine off:

1. All the dip****'s out there with big wings look stupid!
2. Easier to clean and dry.
3. Supposed to get about 1 mph better in the 1/4 due to less drag.
4. Look better IMO like a bullit or FR500.
5. Didn't like the 2000 spoiler to begin with.
6. It's different to have a car without a wing. Even Econo boxes have them. How Gay.
7. Less weight.
8. Don't need downforce unless you a doing 100+ mph and I don't do that hardly ever.
9. See number 1.

lance

 

[BlkDragon]

If my stock spoiler had resembled the 03 cobra's I would have kept it but, I just like the wingless look. Beyond that, I rarely go faster than 80 mph so I don't think the spoiler was doing much of anything.

 

[smttysmth02gt]

I think that our stock spoilers look great...I also love the s351 wing. I don't care much for the spoilerless look, but I do think that it looks great on a car w/slicks.

 

[DBMSTNG]

the vast majority of spoilers that come stock on a cars have an insignificant performance benefit. they are just for looks.

 

[JonJon]

I love the 99 spoiler. I think spoilerless is ugly.
I don't think it does anything but create drag though.

 

[4.6MustangSteve]

I don't like spoilerless, either. The stock spoilers weren't created with aerodynamics in mind, though. Just looks. So they don't really do anything. I bet that Steeda Race wing does stuff, though. That's what Steeda says and StangDriver5650 says that he feels a bit more stable at high speeds.

 

[~Stangzorized~]

WINGLESS is CLEEEEEEEAN!

 

[70stangcoupe]

I like the wingless look on 99+s.

Wingless on 94-98 looks teh gay.

 

[Trublu01]

I do gain 1-2 mph in the 1/4 with it off. The look grew on me.

 

[stangtrooper97]

I had mine off for a while but wasn't happy with the four holes i had in my trunklid. I put it back on till I can get the holes properly filled.

 

[skywarp]

Gonna take mine off on mine because with it, looks like a 6cyl. Why did Ford put the same spoilers on GTs and 6cyls.

 

[01GT eibach]

I doubt that the current stock wing will provide any downforce functionality at any speed. To me it looks okay, but I went with a Saleen wing for a more unique look. I am not a big fan of wingless, but that is just me...

 

[Ryan L]

Cleaner is better.

I picked up a painted S281 wing cheap on eBay so I've been using that instead. I like wingless better, but I get way more compliments now.

 

[COBRA90GT]

the vast majority of spoilers that come stock on a cars have an insignificant performance benefit. they are just for looks.

Exactly, most factory spoilers are just for looks...

I was fortunate enough to have found my 'stang on the lot sans wing & fell in love with the wingless look...

 

[decoy562]

It's just for looks, no function.

 

[DeadLurker]

I like the look of the 01-04 spoilers and that's why I keep it.

 

[Ghost001]

Does anyone have any URLs that provide proof, about whether the 99-04 Mustang wing is functional?

I've been surfing the Net (google), trying to find any URL that presents experimental results, or computer simulations, or some sort of authoritative discussion about it, but I haven't found anything that offers real proof. Is it something that can only be measured by the "seat of the pants", on fast turns? I doubt it. Surely downforce on a fast turn must be measurable with instruments of some sort, in a wind tunnel. Just have the Mustang at an angle, relative to the wind direction, with a scale underneath each tire.

I guess, if I can't find any authoritative URLs, I'll probably just leave my stock wing on, because that's easier than taking it off, and I like the way it looks. And who knows, maybe it does provide a tiny bit of downforce on fast turns... However, if I find proof that it's not at all functional, then I may remove it.