Pizza pan wheel cover testing

[bwilson4web]

In one of the recent Cybertruck reviews, the designer commented the closed covers reduced aerodynamic drag.

Bob Wilson

[BlackGold6.4]

I'm not sure but would these pizza covers affect brake cooling and if it does I would image only in stressful situations.

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by BlackGold6.4

I'm not sure but would these pizza covers affect brake cooling and if it does I would image only in stressful situations.

Most of the Tesla braking is regenerative, not friction. There is a 'rubbing' probably there to minimize rust on the disc but not enough to make them hot.

You've reminded me to check for anti-drag springs.

Bob Wilson

[aerohead]

https://ecomodder.com/forum/member-a...-ultralite.jpg

Originally Posted by BlackGold6.4

I'm not sure but would these pizza covers affect brake cooling and if it does I would image only in stressful situations.

If it were the mid-sixties, and you were exiting Le Mans' Mulsanne straight, and braking into the curve at 218-mph in a Ford GT-40, it would be a # 10 pucker. But in 'normal' daily driving, all your brake components would be 'over-engineered.'
As long as you drive 'ahead' of your surroundings, and remain completely vigilant, watching for 'everybody' around you, it's less likely that you'd be 'surprised' enough to get into some 'panic stop' situation. Even then, the mass of the rotors and drums would absorb enough heat without allowing brake fade.
GM's 1992 Ultralite wheel covers would be an example of 'good compromise.'

[BlackGold6.4]

I wondering if this is even feasible on a rim and tire where there's more rubber then rim. So my example is 35" tall tire with a 17" rim, that's 18" of rubber with side biters sticking out. These are E rated tires and very heavy so I'm thinking everything is against me. I think that an air dam in front of the tires for highway use is going to be more beneficial. Give me your thoughts.

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by BlackGold6.4

. . . I think that an air dam in front of the tires for highway use is going to be more beneficial. Give me your thoughts.

This sounds like an excellent experiment using cardboard and duct tape. Benchmark 10 miles each way using A-B-A at say 65 mph between 10 PM and 5 AM.

Then take 5 mph steps up to find out the maximum speed before the tape+cardboard pieces blow away. This will give insight for what a permanent fixture might take.

Of course it you reach 80 without them stripping out, use the the worst off road trail and test how well the tape+cardboard parts remain.

Take lots of photos.

Bob Wilson

[BlackGold6.4]

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

This sounds like an excellent experiment using cardboard and duct tape. Benchmark 10 miles each way using A-B-A at say 65 mph between 10 PM and 5 AM.

Then take 5 mph steps up to find out the maximum speed before the tape+cardboard pieces blow away. This will give insight for what a permanent fixture might take.

Of course it you reach 80 without them stripping out, use the the worst off road trail and test how well the tape+cardboard parts remain.

Take lots of photos.

Bob Wilson

Can't wait try this experiment but it will have to wait till summer. It's -30c right now so tape doesn't stand a chance.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by BlackGold6.4

I wondering if this is even feasible on a rim and tire where there's more rubber then rim. So my example is 35" tall tire with a 17" rim, that's 18" of rubber with side biters sticking out. These are E rated tires and very heavy so I'm thinking everything is against me. I think that an air dam in front of the tires for highway use is going to be more beneficial. Give me your thoughts.

Ford built an 'Atlas' 1-ton concept truck with battery-powered, electric, wheel-shutters, all-around, which remained 'closed' until needed, and they worked in conjunction with a wrap-around airdam upstream.
Historically, 'any' wheel 'porosity', of any degree, has been 'fair game' for streamlining, beginning in WW-I.
Alaskan bush planes, with enormous flotation tires still employ 'MOON' covers on their' relatively-tiny' wheels.