Vehicles like the Ford Mustang Shelby and BMW M2 are impressive right off the factory floor. They’re fast, handle well, and look pretty sharp, too. But there’s still room for aerodynamic improvement. One issue in these models–and others–is detached airflow that hurts aerodynamic efficiency. Thankfully, there’s a simple and affordable solution. Learn more about how vortex generators work and why you should use them.
What’s The Benefit Of Vortex Generators?
Vortex generators, as seen on this Ford Mustang Shelby GT 350, help keep airflow attached to the car.
If you’re an auto enthusiast like us, you want the best performance possible. Unfortunately, it’s hard to achieve this when airflow becomes detached as it travels down your car. This issue will reduce the effectiveness of your rear wing and limit your overall efficiency. Here’s how vortex generators can help.
As the name suggests, these small devices, which typically attach to the roof of your vehicle, create vortices. These spinning columns of air put energy back into the boundary layer surrounding the car. In other words, the vortices increase the airflow speed and keep it attached as it moves over the vehicle. This attached airflow improves your rear wing's ability to produce downforce. Because the optimized airflow can alter the size and structure of the wake region, drag increases are minimized.
Will Every Car Benefit From Vortex Generators?
When properly designed, vortex generators like the ones seen here on an FK8 Honda Civic CTR, boost aerodynamic efficiency.
Some cars, like the Toyota Supra and GR86 platform models, don’t need vortex generators as airflow remains attached. Others, like the FK8 Honda Civic CTR, will benefit from them.
The team at Verus Engineering tested vortex generators on the CTR, keeping the wing at the same angle of attack while measuring downforce and drag. These small modifications made a big difference, adding 25 pounds of downforce and 2 pounds of drag. By reducing the angle of attack, the vehicle achieved the same amount of downforce as before but with less drag. The result is improved efficiency and performance.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Sheds Light On Airflow Separation
Automotive engineers from Verus check for airflow separation and determine which models will benefit from vortex generators like this one.
How do you know which vehicles can benefit from vortex generators? That’s where Verus can help. Our skilled engineers know aerodynamics and use advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software on a daily basis. We can see which cars have a problem with airflow separation and figure out where to put the vortex generators.
Verus has tested numerous chassis and currently offers vortex generators for the following:
All components come with an install template, as proper placement is critical for performance. If you want to test a different model, Verus offers universal vortex generators.
Upgrade Your Aerodynamics With Verus
From vortex generators to complete aerodynamic packages, Verus Engineering has the expertly designed aftermarket parts you need to boost performance. See what we offer in our online store, and check back often, as we’re always working on something new. We also encourage you to stay connected with us on social media through the links on this page.
How Do Vortex Generators Work?