Moon Disc Hubcaps vs Insight Wheels - Page 2 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

NeilBlanchard · 12-06-2008, 08:00 PM

Hi,

I'm hoping that someone on the forum has seen/used the MoonCraft covers made for the Prius, that have a single hole in the center. This would seem to allow air flow out (to help cool brakes a bit?) and not add anything appreciable to the drag. I'm holding out the possibility that this could be a good modification for summer driving.

Now that I see them again, this would be a tough mod, I think...

aerohead · 12-09-2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Hi,

I'm hoping that someone on the forum has seen/used the MoonCraft covers made for the Prius, that have a single hole in the center. This would seem to allow air flow out (to help cool brakes a bit?) and not add anything appreciable to the drag. I'm holding out the possibility that this could be a good modification for summer driving.

Now that I see them again, this would be a tough mod, I think...

Renault used such a wheelcover for it's Vesta-II Cd0.19,146-mpg concept car.They'd be worth waiting for as they're just a great real world compromise between ideals and utility.Get 'em if you can!

metromizer · 12-09-2008, 07:28 PM

I realized a 1-2 mpg improvement using snap-on stainless steel moon caps on my Metro (85% feeway speeds driving). I lost one on the first day, the second one about a week later. I bought replacements and bent the little gripper tabs so they would be a little tighter and hopefully not fall off again. That was a month ago (about 3k miles) so far, so good.

Speaking of theft, I put a set of the screw-on aluminum ones on a car back in 1983 or so. I wasn't satified with the supplied sheet metal screws, it looked to easy for someone to steel them as anyone with a bladed screwdriver could have them removed in minutes. I drilled and tapped the lip of the steel rims for #10-32 machine thread, and used button head allen screws.

They only lasted a day...

mobilerik · 12-09-2008, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tango Charlie

I can't speak to Insight wheels, but as far as moonies go, some guys have used pizza pans as dirt-cheap alternatives.

While absurdly cheap, my pizza caps are also a bit... cheap. :-) I'm wondering if they can be polished to look like I paid more than $4 for them. Anyone?

They're steel btw, not aluminum as I presumed. And I don't worry about them being stolen.

Everyone sing: "When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie... "

Ryland · 12-09-2008, 08:13 PM

why isn't anyone making a plastic moon cap that is avalible? they would be lighter and cheaper to make.

Piwoslaw · 12-10-2008, 04:22 AM

I'm planning on homebrewing plastic moonies. I'll post a how-to if I have any luck.

Christ · 12-10-2008, 05:54 AM

Hm.. Mooncraft is the counterpart to Mugen, a Honda-option parts mfg... that's funny, although I seriously doubt they're the same company.

As far as real input here, is there any benefit to having domed caps as opposed to flat caps on your wheels? Like helping to re-direct some of the detached airflow from the nose- area of the car and help reattach it to the side?

Obviously, they create a larger frontal area, but I wonder if it's enough to negate any (if any) positive effect they may have?

NeilBlanchard · 12-10-2008, 06:03 AM

Hi,

I've wondered the same thing -- my best guess is that anything that sticks out beyond the tire sidewall is probably less helpful, so, flat(ter) is better.

Christ · 12-10-2008, 06:20 AM

I wonder primarily for the case where the tires don't come out to the outer edges of the car (most OEM configs) and there is no stippling or any kind of aero-modding to the rear of the wheel opening to lessen it's effect on the (now-separated) airflow.

Obviously, if domed isn't any better, just making them wide enough to meet the outer edge of the vehicle must be, as this would mimic the obvious benefits of fender skirting without the obvious problems associated with skirting the front wheel openings.

Essentially -
Less open area = less airflow disruption
Less depth between surfaces = less airflow detachment.

A+B=C, so less airflow disruption + less airflow detachment = smoother flow?

Just a thought, at 0519hrs, after being sick for 3 days and not sleeping the last 23 hours or so.... maybe I'm legally insane at this point.

guudasitgets · 12-10-2008, 10:16 AM

FYI; moon disks are $30 each for 13 inch wheels

https://www.mooneyesusa.com/Store/pr...fe85b25d1e8e15