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new Hub and wheel-centric spacer design

Does the idea have (commercial) merit?


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shogun32

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As a hobby machinist I've been playing with the notion of a slip-on spacer that is simultaneously hub and wheel-centric but in a twist can be used on Camaro, Mustang and Corvette just by flipping it over. (I don't have numbers for Challenger yet but seeing how shallow their wheels are, not much point)

Wheel concentricity would be accomplished by swappable inserts in common sizes like 66.56, 67, 70.5, 71.6, 73.
Minimum thickness is 12.5mm but realistically I'll probably be making them in 20mm and perhaps 15mm for my own use.

The same design in at least 20mm thickness could be used to convert from one bolt-circle to another but that is a distant secondary objective.

Does this sound useful and interesting?
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Grintch

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I think the optimum thickness varies by car.

I don't think people want to pay more for a universal part than a Mustang specific part. As a hobby machinist, I assume they will need to be rather expensive to make it worth your while. So seems unlikely they will be much, if any cheaper, than the $20 - 60 for a custom Mustang part that doesn't require fiddling with a separate spacer and centering ring.
 
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shogun32

shogun32

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it was designed with Mustang as it's primary focus. I have 5 sets of aftermarket wheels and none of them are 70.5 (or 66.9) so that got me thinking. These spacers go for $85/pair and up to $125 (more for over 1"). No, I don't intend to make them in any quantity or offer it commercially. It's mostly a 'scratch my own itch' project. I'll post up some actual pics once I get some made and play with it a bit.
 

Grintch

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The start at about $20 ea ($40 a pair) for 5mm, and $60 ea ($120 a pair) for 25mm.

And I guess I don't understand what you mean by hub centric AND wheel centric. Especially if your wheels vary in terms of center bore. AND you want them to work on Camaros and Vettes as well as Mustangs. That is a lot of variation to deal with. Easy enough with a 5mm spacer and centering rings, but much harder with 20mm spacers and varying hub and wheel center sizes. I am picturing odd double centering ring systems.
 
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shogun32

shogun32

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The ID is both 70.5 and 66.9 on thickness >15mm. The wheels are centered with an adapter that fits the outward facing ID. If on Mustang the adapter would have OD1=66.85 OD2=70.5, or OD2=73 etc.

On a Camaro you flip the spacer over and the adapter would have OD1=70.45 OD2=66.9 or OD2=73 etc. But actually in this orientation I'm planning to cut a ID=73mm depth=3mm recess in the Mustang face so the adapters are ID=doesn't matter, OD1=73, OD2=70.5 or OD2=73 or OD2=66.9 etc.

The Corvette uses 70.3 which is annoying. 0.2mm is no slip-fit and I don't know if that much mis-alignment causes rim vibration or not. I tossed it into the mix in case I can make it work.

If you look at the existing products they start with a blank that is at least 8mm "too thick" and have to machine a HUGE amount of material off of it to get that 8+mm of protruding 'lip' for purposes of wheel centering. My adapters can be made from OD=3" 0.5" wall tube instead of spinning a giant OD=6-6.25" round on the lathe.

I have no interest in the sub-8mm thickness product space. Those can simply be run off by a mill carving up flat stock.
 

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BmacIL

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I don't see a market for this other than to fit some of the aftermarket tuner wheels without hubcentric rings.
 
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shogun32

shogun32

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A quick render of the parts - 20mm thick. Looks like I can get the plates made for $60 each which isn't earth shattering by any stretch.
They'll work in slip-on or bolt-on configuration and are clearanced to take ARP or Dorman studs.
If bolted to Mustang hubs you can use either Mustang (bc=114.3) or Camaro (bc=120) wheels. If bolted to a Camaro hub, you can run Mustang wheels.
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