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Old 04-29-2011, 02:33 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Performance car aero-wheel covers

So I want to improve the aero of my wheels (aluminum 15") but cannot sacrifice the brake cooling as well as the ease of wheel removal while racing. I have always very much liked the look of the old fashioned turbo-fan wheel covers used in racing years ago before they were outlawed. They act as air pumps that literally pull air through the wheels improving brake cooling as well as down force, but sucking air from under the car. I plan on making a set, just have not quite figured out how I am going to do it economically.

Incidentally, the wheels on the Knight Rider era Firebirds, are functional wheels that work like these, and are very aerodynamic. They are also quite rare and expensive.













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Last edited by XJguy; 04-29-2011 at 02:40 PM..
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Old 04-29-2011, 02:55 PM   #2 (permalink)
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It's been a while since I've seen any Ronal Racing Turbo, BBS, & Compomotive - integral vaned brake-cooling wheels.
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Old 04-29-2011, 08:39 PM   #3 (permalink)
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I think I saw some Oldsmobile hubcaps like that.

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Old 04-29-2011, 09:01 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Mechanic View Post
I think I saw some Oldsmobile hubcaps like that.

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You did, similar, the Aerotech. But they do not pump air.

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Old 04-30-2011, 12:02 AM   #5 (permalink)
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new VWs are shipped with similar wheel covers

many but not all new VWs are shipped with similar wheel covers , shaped like a tray used to serve treats at parties and wedding s
they are to be protection for the wheels against chips and things that may scratch the wheels during shipping .

they look very much like the covers on the Oldsmobile image above
they fit right into the little whole that holds the center cap of the wheel and
they are disposed of by the VW dealer , thrown in the garbage .... as part of the PDI
pre delivery inspection.
i have about 20 of them but the supply is basically un limited ... you can check at the local VW dealer to see if they may be willing to give them away as opposed to throwing them away .


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Old 04-30-2011, 03:01 AM   #6 (permalink)
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Cool, thanx!
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Old 04-30-2011, 07:23 AM   #7 (permalink)
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Actually I was talking about some on an older FWD Sierra or something from the mid 90s in my buddies body shop one day. Probably a 14 or 15 inch steel wheel cover, and fairly common. It did have the ventilation slots in the edge and looked very similar.

Of course a lot of those old hub caps weighed quite a lot.

I like the way the Porsche has grass stuck between the tire and rim.

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Old 05-04-2011, 01:30 PM   #8 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mwebb View Post
many but not all new VWs are shipped with similar wheel covers , shaped like a tray used to serve treats at parties and wedding s
they are to be protection for the wheels against chips and things that may scratch the wheels during shipping .

they look very much like the covers on the Oldsmobile image above
they fit right into the little whole that holds the center cap of the wheel and
they are disposed of by the VW dealer , thrown in the garbage .... as part of the PDI
pre delivery inspection.
i have about 20 of them but the supply is basically un limited ... you can check at the local VW dealer to see if they may be willing to give them away as opposed to throwing them away .


Would you be so kind as to take a picture of the covers and how they mount? Thanks
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Old 05-08-2011, 11:35 PM   #9 (permalink)
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VW or Audi Alloy wheels

Quote:
Originally Posted by XJguy View Post
Would you be so kind as to take a picture of the covers and how they mount? Thanks
they are designed to fit VW or Audi wheels , the ones i have are for the alloy wheels but there are versions for the steel wheels ,
the alloy wheel covers pop into the center hole the holds the center VW or AUDI cap ---

yes i can upload some photos
one part # is 1KM-615-153D that one is a black one for 16" or 17" wheels it has a 17 near the center
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Old 05-10-2011, 03:07 AM   #10 (permalink)
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If you're still interested in making the proper racing style covers there's a picture by picture guide on how to make them from carbon fibre here, www(dot)audimotorsport(dot)se/Bilder/IMSAGTO/Falgar/index(dot)html

Oh yeah that's his sauna he uses as an autoclave, only in Scandinavia!

Grr at newbie link posting discrimination.
Dale.


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