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Old 12-13-2003, 02:35 PM   #1
clyde
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Question Does the wagon spoiler reduce wind noise?

So I've come to notice that the 2nd-largest source of noise on the highway (after tires) comes from the back of my wagon's roof -- more wind noise there than from the side-view mirrors even.

I think I heard somewhere that the trailing edge of the wagon's roof is a turbulant area (can anyone confirm?), so what I'm wondering is if getting the right spoiler on there would reduce the wind noise by virtue of altering the flow. Anybody notice if there's a wind noise difference with and without the roof spoiler on?
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Old 12-13-2003, 05:30 PM   #2
KillaSL2
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hmmm. I know that racks on mine are horrible. Not sure if it is the spoiler.
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Old 12-13-2003, 05:42 PM   #3
Mandrich
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I notice that most of my noise comes from the load bars on the roof. I do have both the roof and the waist spoiler on my '00 OBS, but I think those are more for looks than any purpose (IE: reduce wind noise). I'm planning on removing my load bars over the next week. I'll post back if I notice signifigant wind noise comming from the rear roof area....
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Old 12-13-2003, 05:43 PM   #4
Jejunum
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just so that theres no confusion are you are talking about the spoiler that goes above the latch areaof the wagon or the one that is above that and on the roof line?
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Old 12-13-2003, 07:05 PM   #5
Mike Wevrick
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My WRX wagon has a spoiler at the top of the hatch. I've driven it with and without the spoiler on and don't notice any noise difference.
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Old 12-15-2003, 11:34 AM   #6
clyde
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I'm talking about the spoiler that is at the level of the roof line, not the "waist spoiler" at the latch.

I took a closer listen to the wind noise yesterday, just to make sure I wasn't mistaking the sound of the roof rack. It's definately louder in back, and I would expect most rack noise comes from the leading crossbar. OTOH, the back of the wagon is a big open echoic area compared to the front, so I guess I'd have to take off the rack to be certain. Maybe when it gets warmer. It's sounding like the spoiler doesn't have much bearing on the noise anway.
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Old 12-15-2003, 12:58 PM   #7
linsavy
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It's the rack, trust me. The old style rack is horrible noisey. I had one installed and took it off after the winter. The faster you go the more it roars. You could try to rig up a fairing to cut back on some of the noise.
I added an upper spoiler a while back and it makes no noise.
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Old 12-16-2003, 11:27 AM   #8
WRBlue5spd
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Quote:
Originally posted by linsavy
It's the rack, trust me. The old style rack is horrible noisey. I had one installed and took it off after the winter. The faster you go the more it roars. You could try to rig up a fairing to cut back on some of the noise.
I added an upper spoiler a while back and it makes no noise.
I would go with the rack also. I have both the a factory crossbar setup, and a complete Thule rack. Factory rack isn't to bad, Thule makes a ton of noise. With evrything removed the car is quite.

Try removing the rack and see what happens.

Glenn
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Old 12-16-2003, 11:32 AM   #9
kami333
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It gets even worse when you have both racks on, my factory one is rusted in so I can't remove it and there's just enough space between my Thule and the factory one for it to whistle when I drive over 50.
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Old 12-16-2003, 04:37 PM   #10
linsavy
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Good point Kami, Clyde you will never get that rack off intact. The rails are attached to the frame with week nuts that will break off instantly and the screws will turn and turn and turn....the frame is attached to the roof mount with big phillips screws that will be completely rusted on. My rack was only on for one winter and it was still tough to remove.
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Old 12-16-2003, 04:44 PM   #11
subiekid
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not really seeing how it could reduce noise, its in the back.
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Old 12-16-2003, 04:52 PM   #12
sawlid
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It will NOT reduce noise, I just put one on this weekend. Oh and btw my thule rack make a ton of noise too
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Old 12-16-2003, 05:01 PM   #13
subiekid
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ha, i was right
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Old 01-12-2004, 06:12 PM   #14
Tim-Ti
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I have a Thule rack, with all the toys hanging off it. It was noisy for about a day - so I put the Thule spoiler on, and things got a good deal quieter.

Another step I took was to insulate the roof. I removed the headliner and put carpet padding between the metal and the headliner, because there is almost NO SOUNDPROOFING in imprezas.

The problem with eiliminating noise then began to manifest itself ... when you make one area quiet, you begin to notice other noises, I went on to put padding under the carpet, and there's dynamat equivilent in the doors, and I don't remember what else.

When I don't have my foot hard on the gas, people comment on my car feeling quiet and smooth - it's probably smooth from weighing more with all the padding

oh, and I think the spoilers are cool but I don't have one.
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