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-   -   aero alloy wheels? (https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/aero-alloy-wheels-19464.html)

GoodOak 11-12-2011 11:22 PM

aero alloy wheels?
 
I'm thinking of getting some snow tires for my car, so I Figured now would be a good time to get some new wheels for summer that are more areo, and use the stock wheels as the winter wheels.

Trouble is, I'm having a hard time finding anything that is obviously designed with aerodynamics in mind IE Moon Eye type wheels Anyone know where I should be looking, or what I should be looking for?

Frank Lee 11-12-2011 11:23 PM

I don't think I've ever seen one that's a good as a hubcap- not even Centerlines.

Sven7 11-13-2011 12:16 AM

What car is it? That'll make a hell of a difference in what's available.

Look at Saturn wheels from the late 90's and early 00's.

Arrow 11-13-2011 03:49 AM

For Volvo
 
There's the DrivE "Libra" wheels. If there's something similar with Vw / Audi bolt pattern, i would be very interested.

HAHA 11-13-2011 06:26 AM

As has been suggested (and implemented) a long time ago, transparent hubcaps on a "desgner-rim" is a rather good solution. You get pretty optimal aerodynamics and don't have to choose any particular design.

jime57 11-13-2011 07:35 AM

Like Frank, I don't think you will beat the Moon wheel covers. There are design limitations as to what dimensional changes you can make to street vehicle wheels. I'd select a decent alloy wheel onto which you can mount the screw mount Moons. The snap-on versions have been known to fall off on potholes.

If you want to go hog wild, then buy the lightest alloy wheel you can find, probably Centerline, to reduce the rotating mass. But you probably won't notice the difference, so I'd stick with a modestly priced midweight wheel and put the Moons on. For that matter, you could just buy an extra set of the stock steel wheels and drill those for the Moons.

Quasimoto 11-13-2011 10:01 AM

For good aero you can't beat full moon racing discs mounted on steelies.

Racing Disc Hubcaps (Pop-On). Scion Hubcaps, Vintage, Kustom Wheel Covers

cfg83 11-13-2011 02:56 PM

Quasimoto -

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quasimoto (Post 270163)
For good aero you can't beat full moon racing discs mounted on steelies.

Racing Disc Hubcaps (Pop-On). Scion Hubcaps, Vintage, Kustom Wheel Covers

I loved my snap-in racing disks so much that I had them powder-coated to match my previous SC2 :

http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-cf...-because-i.jpg

The problem was that the snap-ins lose their grip over time. I think that the steelies flex and eventually loosen the teeth. In addition, every time you take the wheel cover off and on to check the air, you loosen the teeth a little bit more.

The end result is that for some reason, when I hit certain bumps, the front passenger wheel cover would fly off. Always the front passenger wheel, which makes me think it had something to do with the torque/differential characteristics of my FWD. Finally, because the disk bows out, it would get damaged in automated car washes that pull the car along, http://ecomodder.com/forum/member-cf...re2526-sad.gif .

I think others on this forum have had similar experiences.

CarloSW2

Big Dave 11-13-2011 07:40 PM

I don't think you can beat screw-on Mooneyes on steelies. Generations of racers found these to be very workable.

I always thought that for better street practicality, I'd cou out an elliptical hole and use an extended tire stem. The gain in drag would be infinitesimal.

aerohead 11-14-2011 05:02 PM

practicality
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Dave (Post 270254)
I don't think you can beat screw-on Mooneyes on steelies. Generations of racers found these to be very workable.

I always thought that for better street practicality, I'd cou out an elliptical hole and use an extended tire stem. The gain in drag would be infinitesimal.

BD,Renault did this with their Vesta II concept.It's a really elegant solution for brake cooling and stem access.
The periphery of the hole might need to be 'weighted' to compensate for the material removed,allowing a nice high speed dynamic balance.

Vekke 11-29-2011 11:50 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylom0vkfaRw

Is this my solution easy enough?
Cover can be also clear plastic...

euromodder 11-30-2011 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arrow (Post 270140)
There's the DrivE "Libra" wheels.

These are so heavy (11.9kg in 16" - 1,5 times the weight of another Volvo rim) they are costing fuel every time you accelerate.

You can feel the weight of the Libra rims through the power steering, so that's also costing a bit more fuel.

NeilBlanchard 11-30-2011 12:32 PM

The reason for using "alloy" wheels is light weight, but you can get light weight from other materials. The Edison2 14" wheels are about 6 pounds each, and they are quite low aero drag, too.

http://www.edison2.com/picture/our%2...tureId=4066689

Quasimoto 11-30-2011 02:02 PM

Here's a site I found online that may help choosing the lightest wheel for your car.
WheelWeights.net - Database of Wheel Weights

Arrow 11-30-2011 03:04 PM

AMG aero wheel
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard (Post 272456)
The Edison2 14" wheels are about 6 pounds each, and they are quite low aero drag, too.

Are these wheel available somewhere at a reasonable price?

One good suggestion might AMG Aero wheel, with Mercedes bolt pattern.

Cd 11-30-2011 04:39 PM

I would look at the junk yard for wheels such as the ones on this 1999 Mercury Mystique.
I know the bolt pattern is not right for your car, but there are others like this that you may find with the correct bolt pattern.

http://images02.olx.com/ui/8/12/86/f...-674ef535.jpeg

Lots of cars from the late '80s had wheels that were designed to be aero, like this late '80s early 90's Sable :

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/6...alloywheel.jpg

GoodOak 11-30-2011 11:19 PM

Hey all, thanks for the input, got busy with work and lost track of the thread... but you all have gotten along fine without me.

Anyway, I have a 2011 VW Jetta Sportswagon (TDI). I guess with the feedback so far I'm thinking I'd get some lighter alloy wheels and then screw in some Moon-eyes. I was under the impression that it might not be safe to drill and tap into Aluminum wheels to install the wheel covers... but I guess if that's what everyone does, it must be OK.

winkosmosis 12-01-2011 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerohead (Post 270362)
BD,Renault did this with their Vesta II concept.It's a really elegant solution for brake cooling and stem access.
The periphery of the hole might need to be 'weighted' to compensate for the material removed,allowing a nice high speed dynamic balance.

Just cut the same hole on the opposite side


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