Pizza pan wheel cover testing

[Vekke]

It also covers lower suspension arm if you zoom in and turns with the wheel this one. Front edge should have radius, but in this it comes up so much I did not build a radius.

[redpoint5]

Look for deals on pizza pans tomorrow.

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by Phase

Are you comparing pizza pans to the aero covers or pizza pans to no covers at all? I’m curious to how much extra range full covers give versus the aero covers.

Correct, closed vs no covers.

I have after market, light weight wheels, seven spokes, and lighter weight than OEM Bridgestone ECOPIA tires. Together they improved efficiency up to 45 mph. Above 45 mph, the OEM wheels and tires were more efficient.

In 2019, my Model 3 had the same wheels and 18" tires used on their higher performance trims. They were well sized for the extra power versus what I need for the lightest weight, 3800 lbs, lowest power, 258 HP, Model 3.

Originally Posted by Phase

I’ve been experimenting with taking over the cooling slots in my ioniqs aero covers to elimate all ventilation drag. I haven’t been to concerned about the lug nut holes and just use the excuse that they act as mini vortex generators to energize the air flow to help it reattach to the car body after the wheel ( don’t know how true that is)

The lug nut holes were a compromise because the covers are not easily removed and installed. However, there are two problems solved by having body side or interior, wheel covers: (1) reduce interior drag, and; (2) removable outside covers.

The inside of the wheel spokes still work like fan impellers with some loss of energy (i.e., drag) on the wheels.

By using a tab and slot design, the outer cover needs only the air valve access which also works as the thumb opening to rotate the cover. It could have its own, minature, rotating cover to close the valve hole.

Regardless, this will require precise manufacturing which necessitates a 2 ft, CNC machine for precise cuts.

Bob Wilson

[Phase]

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

Correct, closed vs no covers.

I have after market, light weight wheels, seven spokes, and lighter weight than OEM Bridgestone ECOPIA tires. Together they improved efficiency up to 45 mph. Above 45 mph, the OEM wheels and tires were more efficient.

In 2019, my Model 3 had the same wheels and 18" tires used on their higher performance trims. They were well sized for the extra power versus what I need for the lightest weight, 3800 lbs, lowest power, 258 HP, Model 3.


The lug nut holes were a compromise because the covers are not easily removed and installed. However, there are two problems solved by having body side or interior, wheel covers: (1) reduce interior drag, and; (2) removable outside covers.

The inside of the wheel spokes still work like fan impellers with some loss of energy (i.e., drag) on the wheels.

By using a tab and slot design, the outer cover needs only the air valve access which also works as the thumb opening to rotate the cover. It could have its own, minature, rotating cover to close the valve hole.

Regardless, this will require precise manufacturing which necessitates a 2 ft, CNC machine for precise cuts.

Bob Wilson

im assuming youre saying better highway economy with the heavier wheels because of the inertia thing?

that makes sense in theory on a flat open road, but so far ive been dealing with heavier and inch bigger tires and on flat i do notice that affect, but in real world driving im noticing i have to push more on the throttle to go up a mini hill or speed back up after a car pulls in front of me then speeds up. nothing is ever constant, even when going 75 on the highway. its always mini pulse and glide type driving and the bigger wheels are requiring more throttle versus little taps from my smaller lighter wheels

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by Phase

im assuming youre saying better highway economy with the heavier wheels because of the inertia thing?

The OEM wheels had aero covers (i.e., hub caps.) Other reviewers have reported testing with and without the OEM covers and showed they improved range. But my wheel vendor has no aero wheel covers ... so I made my own.

Bob Wilson

[aerohead]

https://ecomodder.com/forum/member-a...vated-view.jpgMany years ago, I got to get up close and personal with Danika Patrick's INDYCAR racer, at Texas Motor Speedway.
It had full 'MOON' covers on the inside ( and all the suspension and steering components were fully-streamlined struts ).
It was right out of the 1950s!

[bwilson4web]

After market wheel. No vendor wheel covers.



Bob Wilson

[aerohead]

' bet those puppies have a low polar moment of inertia!
They make Tesla's look like something off Fred Flintstone's car.

[Phase]

Wonder how much the improvement from the aero caps to fully closed is since it blocks all turbulence. CFD tests just mention better attached air flow and increased pressure at the rear but never say how much cd is dropped

[bwilson4web]

I was thinking blocking the spokes from being impeller blades and dumping air into the side slipstream. I had not considered drag from the inside on the inner rim, a cylinder.

Hummmm.

Bob Wilson