custom aerodynamic wheels

[Vekke]

I bought a set of RIAL x10 5x19" for my audi a8. I did not now are they how convex from pictures but they looked nice.

When I got them I started to think how to make them more aerodynamic.

I decided to make some custom 1mm thick aluminium block plates to them. First draw the basic shape with 3d engineering program then print the shape to paper and cut out.

as you can see it took mayny samples to get the shape perfect. Then I ordered a set of those and started bending them to correct shape. They fitted nicely.


Then I decided to paint them also green and bigger triangles to glossy black. Plates are glued from behind. Time will tell will they hold Glue hold 24 kg per cm2.

Finished wheel is looking sweet and the curvature is just perfect. Although this aint yet totally ready. It still needs Tuneko centercap sticker and few other final touches.

[mcrews]

wow.....!!!!!

no really....wow!!!!

VERY nice work!!!!!

you should use the ecomodder logo for the center caps!!!!!

[Daox]

Agreed, that looks very nice.

How did you go about bending them?

[Vekke]

I bended them just by hand over 150mm diameter pipe. The triangles also needed to twist some curvature by hand to fit the wheel outer edge.

[Veen]

Where did you order to sheet metal from?

[NeilBlanchard]

How are you dealing with the valve stem?

[Vekke]

You need to draw a 3d file, where you save the draft/drawing if to dxf format then just send the filed to watercutting company. My parts cost 30€ per set cutted. There is valve stem hole, I drilled them after the watercutting to 4 wheels.

First drive lost two of the plates so added more glue and now they hold good. The paint is not sticking so well as poles are taking hits from small rocks etc. I know I should have painted them better with primer...

[marky899]

These are aamzing.

Another fantastic way to add style to your car plus get better MPG. .

Im guessing you would bee a PC drawing software to do something like this, to the level of quality you have done it?

[RichMo]

Nice. did you laser cut the metal, or are they hand shaped?

[Vekke]

Yes those are laser cutted:
Now also ready plates for Mini wheels 5½J x 15, ET46 5x112: