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-   -   Wheel disk mod, any MPG gains? before/after? (https://ecomodder.com/forum/showthread.php/wheel-disk-mod-any-mpg-gains-before-after-1275.html)

Chris D. 03-05-2008 03:28 AM

Wheel disk mod, any MPG gains? before/after?
 
I've been looking into the round disk DIY for my truck, but I dont have steel wheels..

I have alloy wheels that wont accept a regular wheel cap/trim ring..
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y10...a/P1020218.jpg

I dont want to scratch up my wheels or drill into anything..
How would I go about doing this?

Does the added weight throw off balance?
Has anyone done any before and after and had decent results?
I'm not expecting a whole MPG, but anything is good and it all adds up..

Thanks in advance :thumbup:

s2man 03-05-2008 07:28 PM

Perhaps a metal ring behind the spoke with three (or five) drilled an tapped holes. Matching holes in your pizza pan would allow attachment with machine screws. A good fit between pizza pan and rim should keep things from shifting. Since you won't want to remove this to check your air pressure, you'll need a hole for the valve stem, and perhaps longer stems.

I've thought about using plastic, such as the bottom of a laundry basket, for caps. But I think they would deform too much from bolt mounting. Probably a better idea for someone with snap-on caps.

paulwelkins 03-06-2008 12:02 AM

I have similar wheels but took the dive and drilled holes. I installed coroplastic circles cut from a 4x8 sheet ($12 at plastic supply or more at sign shop) and installed with self tapping stainless button head skrews.They weigh nothing and are flush with the outer tire and the holes. If measured properly, they'll look as if they belong if you take the disks off.
If you do this, measure carefully and drill holes a little less than diam. of skrews. take 5 nails cut down to 1", wrap with tape till they fit snug in holes with pointy end toward you, center disk by sight and push till nails puncture back. Drill hole at punctures and install. Simple.
Took me 2 hours start to finish. Do they help? I'm sure they do. How much? couldn't tell ya, but for the time and effort, it's worth it. Plus you can draw a radical design on the caps. BONUS! and people will ask 'what's up with the caps?' and you end up meeting someone. Anything you do in the aero mod department will help.

Chris D. 03-06-2008 03:00 AM

I'd like to see some #'s before I go ahead
with figuring out how to go about this..

dremd 03-06-2008 07:06 AM

How about what would amount to a U-bolt (custom) around either a spoke or 2, or some sort of 5 bolt u-bolt fitted around the center.? (I f I don't understand, let me know, I'll draw it).

Edit: or a bracket which bolts on 2 the lugs, then allows the pizza pan to attach to it.

s2man 03-06-2008 03:09 PM

ooo, I like the bracket on the lugs idea. that would stationary while attaching the cap. my idea of a ring behind the rim would be a booger to assemble.

velcro! contact cement. zip ties. nano 'bots. sorry, just brain storming here.

dremd 03-06-2008 07:03 PM

Might want to take a look at a mid 90's accord hub cap. They bolt on, could weld something up with a few bits of pipe and some washers, fairly simple. Then put plugs in the resulting holes.
How do "moon caps" attach?

elhigh 03-06-2008 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dremd (Post 12968)
How do "moon caps" attach?

Somebody answer me that, please! I'm getting ready to dip into the tax refund and buy some, but I want to know if the attachments are secure enough that my hard-earned dollars don't roll away.

I'm not keen on the screw-on type, either - I don't want to have to go through that much to check my air pressure.

tasdrouille 03-06-2008 07:30 PM

The aero improvement given by those is marginal at best. Unless you're going the DIY route I beleive your money would be better spent elsewhere.

H4MM3R 03-06-2008 07:42 PM

Maybe this link will help out>> https://www.mooneyesusa.com/Store/in...09b62c95f03aa2


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