Quote:
Originally Posted by NoD~
Something I have been thinking about: What if you shaped proper all the wheel skirts to essentially "replace" the need for smooth wheel covers?
The reason I'm considering this idea: I have aluminum wheels that are very light weight (Rota Slipstreams) but FAR from aerodynamic. Doing smooth wheel covers would likely require drilling/screwing into the aluminum spokes, which isn't something I want to do. Instead, doing all 4 wheels skirts that would extend in the middle low enough to cover the wheel.
One benefit to this that I can easily see, though miniscule, is reduced rotational mass. 4 "pizza pans" and some screws adds up to something. There is also wheel balancing to consider as part of that equation.
Any thoughts on the matter?
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Before I graduated college I did a one day aero session with the Dodge pickup.I covered all the wheel openings with cardboard and masking tape and was able to put a couple hundred miles on it to look at the tank mileage.
I ran in to no difficulties.
You might just cobble something up and test it first to see what kind of results you get.If you like the numbers,then you can decide.
As Darin says,CAD (cardboard and duct tape) design.
