Potential orders for 18 inch escoz replica wheels

[Mark-C]

Original 16" are Ronal

[The Radman]

there you go,my memory does still work sometimes

[rscosworthman]

Bit quiet from my side. Waiting for:

• Ronal and/or Ford guy to come up with the original specs
• 3D Scanning people to return from their holidays

But what I did do is go to a friend who has the 380mm AP kit (with 18" compomotive wheels) under his escos, and we compared the offset of the caliper with mine. We came to the conclusion that the 380mm AP kit needs about 8-10mm more space towards the face of the wheel than my original brakes.

So preliminary conclusion is that we should go for the following (COMMENTS PLEASE!): we go for a mould with the original 18x8" size, but then with an ET between 12-14 millimeter as one of you suggested, just by extending the center part of the design. We can then have the Chinese mill/lathe the wheels say, 15 sets with ET25 and 15 sets with ET15.

Picture here from MikeR with similar setup as my friend in NL (with slightly different wheels though):

[SHaDoWLanDZ]

[jsa]

Do a caliper outline in solid works that way when you have the 3d wheel scan, position them in a model to check.

[jsa]

Some other cool findings: I found an online database with wheels in it, selected the 18x8 inches and found their weights. On average, such a wheel weighs 25LBs for cast aluminum wheels. The lightest cast aluminum wheel of that size is 16.5 LBs. If you go to exotic materials as magnesium, you can go to 14.5 LBs.

Here's two links to wheel weight lists.

http://mechdb.com/index.php/18%22_Wheel_weights

http://measurespeed.com/#rim-weights

My guestimate is that the escos 18x8" wheels are around the average, so 25LBs. I don't expect to go much lighter. If we would at another inch to 9"width, we typically add between 1 and 3 LBs. If we would go 19" diameter, this typically adds another 1-3 pounds.

I think EsCos wheels should be toward the lighter end rather than average. The EsCos is lighter than the average car these days. A wheel designed for a specific car should have weight advantages over a wheel designed to fit many cars, some of which will be heavier.

Yes width and diameter add rim and tyre weight. If rim & tyre weight is the only concern then 16x8 is a great choice.

You mentioned OZ using LM25 which is a common easier to cast alloy.

Some others cast 6061 and treat to T6 which is a stronger alloy and therefore possibly lower weight end product. Over here Semi's have alloys made from 2024 T3.

I know next to nothing about casting, what do your chinese wheel makers know about casting various alloys ? What alloys have they cast for OEM's.

Still preferring minimum 18x9 here, though excessively heavy 18x8 or 9 or 9.5 would discourage me.

Yes of course Mg can yield light wheels but it is interesting to note some ally wheels very close in the weight charts.

[jsa]

How about a 3 piece design ?
Flanges and bolts concealed behind the centre.
Spun high strength halves, less thickness than cast.

[rscosworthman]

Do a caliper outline in solid works that way when you have the 3d wheel scan, position them in a model to check.

Great suggestion thanks

I think EsCos wheels should be toward the lighter end rather than average. The EsCos is lighter than the average car these days. A wheel designed for a specific car should have weight advantages over a wheel designed to fit many cars, some of which will be heavier.

I know pretty soon - when the design is in Solidworks - I can easily calculate volume, multiply by the specific weight of the alloy and we know it..

... though excessively heavy 18x8 or 9 or 9.5 would discourage me...

How about a 3 piece design ?
Flanges and bolts concealed behind the centre.
Spun high strength halves, less thickness than cast.

Aight - difficult. Would be a great engineering feat - but I'm also for KISS principle.

[robski]

I believe Neil Simpson from Dunton was the guy that actually designed the original wheel and as already mentioned Ronal was used, like so many times by ford to produce them.
He know works for Peugeot as lead designer

[rscosworthman]

Cool - I have connected with him through LinkedIn - you never know whether he responds to this. Maybe he is flattered by the idea that someone wants to reproduce the beautiful wheel he once designed.

While I'm still waiting for the 3D specialists to return from holidays, maybe another topic: the waiting list. I get so much emails/PBs/Whatsapps about 'can you put me on the list' that we have to find a solution here, as it quickly runs towards the 30 sets.

The previous suggestion to do a down payment on my account crashed and burned as we all know - so here is another thought: is there someone on this forum (probably one of the moderators) that is trustworthy (aren't we all ;-) and above all financially stable, to play the role of notary/cash master?

Maybe someone with a official Ford club legal entity or something like that?

We could all send our down payments to this person and then the waiting list for the 30 sets is sorted once and for all.

[sebbo]

No issue with this, sounds a good idea.....?

[Davecos 4x4]

About the best way to do it.

[Cossieboy599]

How much are these ??

[Adamski]

Sounds like a very good plan Ben or si can do it...

[cossey man75]

Yes that sounds okay how much deposit