So how many of you have some vortex generators on your car. NOT ME!

Well I was reading about the new 05 Evo VIII MR with optional vortex generators. Well I asked myself, "mitsubishi, why dont you tell me what vortex generators are?" they didn't answer. So, I googled the question and lo and behold I found out. Vortices are created when something cuts air in 2. Like on a wing, a small perpendicular wing will be placed to create vortices. So, simply put, they are small rectangles on the roof of a EVO that make spirals in the air. WHA HOOOO!

pic


-Ti

u should ask a sales rep, id like to see if they even know what they do.

i know nobody asked, but heres the super nerd answer from a rocket scientist:

The "vortex" you are talking about is a created as the boundary layer seperates from the surface and the flow follows. The flow it thrown upward and then back down creating a large vortex off the body and a resulting moment force. This vortex and resulting moment is known as the "kutta condition." This is a very necessary element that makes it possible for wings to generate lift, commercial jets to move on the ground, and why your spoilers can decrease the cars overall coefficent of drag.

From the picture, my best guess is that the "vortex generators" force parts of the boundary layer to seperate there creating small vortices, but more importantly causes parts of the flow to go over the wing as well as under and making a opposite moment at the base of the car where it will do the most good. I dont think any of the smaller vorticies created by the "vortex generators" will be large enough to cause any substaintial effect. But again, this is all just a guess, i would have to crank some numbers or do simulations and tests to know for sure.