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Making Aerodynamic hubcaps and rear wheel skirts?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Tree Hugger, Feb 13, 2008.

  1. Tree Hugger

    Tree Hugger New Member

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    I've been searching for a little while now, and couldn't find an answer to my questions, so here goes.

    1)Has anyone tried (sucessfully hopefully) to make their own Aero/racing hubcaps? I heard that the ideal design is smooth and slightly convex. Would just screwing a piece of flat, and very thin aluminum work as well or is the design imperative of the curved shape?
    I really like the look of them, and am planning on making a set, but if they won't be effective, I think I may just splurge and buy a set.

    2)Has anyone tried the similar with regards to a rear wheel skirt? I was thinking of maybe getting some really thin aluminum, some L-brackets, and some car paint to match my car, and fab up a set for the rear. Anyone try this, or have any experience or knowledge with skirts?

    Thanks in advance!!
    Steve
     
  2. donee

    donee New Member

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    Hi smwood...,

    Check out my post at this link : http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-modifications/41338-aero-anticorrosion-mod-trim-rings.html

    Another approach is to by premade caps and screw them to the trim rings. Mike's Hub Caps is one source they say.

    BTW, if you have seen a car with flat aero hubcaps around in Chicagoland, that was probably me. I added the flashing to my trim rings at the beginning of the year. They have gone through all that snow with no damage.
     
  3. Bob64

    Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky

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    I'm thinking of just wrapping the outer portion of my trim ring with a piece of shrink-wrap-like material. Bam, blocks the air and dirt cheap.


    Edit:
    Actually, since my plastic wrap idea is such a great idea, I'm going to do that right now. Pictures after I borrow my friend's digital camera.
     
  4. priusfreak

    priusfreak New Member

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    Will the wrapping be ribbed for her pleasure? Sorry just caught me the wrong way ;)
     
  5. Bob64

    Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky

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    It'll be smooth as silk stockings on the legs of your ideal female partner... to give the wind that extra smooth aerodynamic touch.

    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.
     
  6. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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  7. TheForce

    TheForce Stop War! Lets Rave! Make Love!

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    NICE! but the skirts don't flow well with the car. Google does a horible job at translating. Is the something offered in Japan?
     
  8. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    I don't like the look of those skirts at all...I want something that smoothly fits on the car and is more aerodynamic. Those look very amateur.
     
  9. TheForce

    TheForce Stop War! Lets Rave! Make Love!

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    WOW $2000 US? Plus shipping? And they look kind of ugly? Does it come with the rest of the addons? I think I will pass anyway.
     
  10. Doc Willie

    Doc Willie Shuttlecraft Commander

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    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.
     
  11. Bob64

    Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky

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    While the rear bumper looks ok...

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

    Tree Hugger New Member

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    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 :D

    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 :cool: 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... $ :) $
     
  13. Bob64

    Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky

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  14. Tree Hugger

    Tree Hugger New Member

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  15. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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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.
     
  16. donee

    donee New Member

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    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.
     
  17. Tree Hugger

    Tree Hugger New Member

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    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 :D
     
  18. Bob64

    Bob64 Sapphire of the Blue Sky

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    To be exact: [SIZE=+1]$2397.08 [/SIZE]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...