Making Aerodynamic hubcaps and rear wheel skirts?

Doc Willie · 02-14-2008, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob64

The only downside: the trim rings become a bitch to remove if you can't grab it from the inside due to the plastic getting in the way.

A 3/8 wide right-angle "offset" screwdriver will fit right into the slots that are along the edge of the trim ring making popping them off a breeze.

Bob64 · 02-14-2008, 04:00 PM

While the rear bumper looks ok...

Holy crap, the skirts look like they're made of foam and nailed on.

Tree Hugger · 02-14-2008, 04:03 PM

Well, I got me some aluminum sheeting and a pair of tin snips today... Guess who has Racing Wheels!! Wooo!! Look out land-speed records, here I come! No seriously though, I hope they do help my MPG a bit, but if not, they're aluminum, so I can just take em off and recycle them

Oh, and I just used a regular screwdriver to pop off those "hubcaps" now. they come off really easy still. I also blocked my grille, and topped off my tires to 45psi at all four corners

And now that it's parked in my garage instead of outside it should be nice and warm to drive tonight... I better be getting some great gas mileage after this, or I'm gonna be peeved.

Oh, and yeah those skirts are the style I'm talking about, but has anyone fabricated a set on their own? If not, I may try making a really nice set, and then mass producing them... $

$

Bob64 · 02-14-2008, 04:12 PM

Tree Hugger,
The OP in this thread is planning on starting to prototype/design some side skirts as well as some other stuff:

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-mo...-products.html

Tree Hugger · 02-14-2008, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob64

Tree Hugger,
The OP in this thread is planning on starting to prototype/design some side skirts as well as some other stuff:

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-mo...-products.html

Thanks. I looked over the thread. Too bad he doesn't live in IL

patsparks · 02-14-2008, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken1784

Are you looking for this kind of modification?
š*¼ƒI[ƒgƒ‰ƒ{/ƒJƒXƒ^ƒ€

Ken@Japan

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They are close to the ugliest wheel spats I have ever seen and as aerodynamic as a brick I would think.

donee · 02-14-2008, 10:58 PM

Hi Tree Hugger,

Might not be the best test tomorrow, if its like today. Finished a tank at 47.2 mpg last night, then the drive into work and back today was 56.4 mpg. Wont last with this crazy winter though.

You might want to put a little bias in those air pressures. Set the rears down to 43 psi.

Tree Hugger · 02-15-2008, 03:53 AM

What does the bias do? I know the front is supporting more weight, but how does that require the rear to be ~2psi less? I'm thinking of upping the pressure to 50/48 or 50/50 tomorrow. The car still rides too smooth for me at 45

Flying White Dutchman · 02-15-2008, 04:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken1784

Yes!
It's 258,000 yen, more than US$2,000.

ƒJƒXƒ^ƒ€ƒJ[A’†ŒÃŽÔ‚Ì”Ì”„BƒI[ƒNƒVƒ‡ƒ“‚Å‚Ìw“ü‚àB‘åãuƒI[ƒgƒ‰ƒ{v/’†ŒÃŽÔ”Ì”„

Ken@japan

thats not a lot

Bob64 · 02-15-2008, 09:03 AM

To be exact: $2397.08 not including shipping, or any sort of import taxes, insurance or stuff.

Depending on what model you have, I'm not sure that part is worth up to 10% of the amount that we paid for the car...

02-14-2008, 04:00 PM	#12
Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,135 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: #2 Thanks: 3 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Making Aerodynamic hubcaps and rear wheel skirts? While the rear bumper looks ok... Holy crap, the skirts look like they're made of foam and nailed on.

02-14-2008, 04:03 PM	#13
Tree Hugger Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wauconda, IL, USA Posts: 78 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Making Aerodynamic hubcaps and rear wheel skirts? Well, I got me some aluminum sheeting and a pair of tin snips today... Guess who has Racing Wheels!! Wooo!! Look out land-speed records, here I come! No seriously though, I hope they do help my MPG a bit, but if not, they're aluminum, so I can just take em off and recycle them Oh, and I just used a regular screwdriver to pop off those "hubcaps" now. they come off really easy still. I also blocked my grille, and topped off my tires to 45psi at all four corners And now that it's parked in my garage instead of outside it should be nice and warm to drive tonight... I better be getting some great gas mileage after this, or I'm gonna be peeved. Oh, and yeah those skirts are the style I'm talking about, but has anyone fabricated a set on their own? If not, I may try making a really nice set, and then mass producing them... $ $ Last edited by Tree Hugger; 02-14-2008 at 04:06 PM.

02-14-2008, 04:12 PM	#14
Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,135 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: #2 Thanks: 3 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Making Aerodynamic hubcaps and rear wheel skirts? Tree Hugger, The OP in this thread is planning on starting to prototype/design some side skirts as well as some other stuff: http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-mo...-products.html

02-14-2008, 10:58 PM	#17
donee Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 2,244 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 2 Thanked 54 Times in 47 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Making Aerodynamic hubcaps and rear wheel skirts? Hi Tree Hugger, Might not be the best test tomorrow, if its like today. Finished a tank at 47.2 mpg last night, then the drive into work and back today was 56.4 mpg. Wont last with this crazy winter though. You might want to put a little bias in those air pressures. Set the rears down to 43 psi.

02-15-2008, 03:53 AM	#18
Tree Hugger Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wauconda, IL, USA Posts: 78 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Making Aerodynamic hubcaps and rear wheel skirts? What does the bias do? I know the front is supporting more weight, but how does that require the rear to be ~2psi less? I'm thinking of upping the pressure to 50/48 or 50/50 tomorrow. The car still rides too smooth for me at 45

02-15-2008, 09:03 AM	#20
Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,135 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: N/A Package: #2 Thanks: 3 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Making Aerodynamic hubcaps and rear wheel skirts? To be exact: $2397.08 not including shipping, or any sort of import taxes, insurance or stuff. Depending on what model you have, I'm not sure that part is worth up to 10% of the amount that we paid for the car...