The Cal-look Lounge

Cal-look/High Performance => Cal-look => Topic started by: nicolas on April 12, 2015, 09:05:57 am



Title: new empi caps
Post by: nicolas on April 12, 2015, 09:05:57 am
i always thought the aftermarket caps on empi 8 spokes never had the right shape, Slingshot on here must have thought so as well so he made a few sets of originally shaped ones. so that was a good thing.
But even so even these give the wheels a very different look compared to running them without caps.

then Bosshog on here actually pinned it down correctly when he was looking for the LanD caps for his enkei wheels. he said  something along the lines of that the wheels look like the wheels on the carts of Ben Hur, they do a bit  :-\ empi's as well

to me it is even more so on a fastback, the beetle is rounder and curvier, so it works better on it, a type3 is more angular

so i had the idea to just cut out some flat caps, but that won't work on 8 spokes, so i needed to make full profiled caps.

here is what i have come top with so far. i a still thinking of engraving the triangular logo of the empi Gt logo on them, and maybe they can be a bit smaller in outer diameter, but this is what i have come up with so far.

they are similar, just the fronts are 20mm and the backs 25mm

[attachment=1]

[attachment=2]


Title: Re: new empi caps
Post by: jick on April 12, 2015, 10:17:59 am
Looks good Nicolas....nice work


Title: Re: new empi caps
Post by: plasticblack on April 12, 2015, 10:42:06 am
Looks good Nicolas....nice work


X2 8)

We need more of this stuff on here... A Problem/Requirement sorted right here amongst ourselves ;D

 Excellent.


Title: Re: new empi caps
Post by: Neil Davies on April 12, 2015, 20:35:25 pm
Looks good Nicolas, and kudos for making something to solve a problem. How about adding a bit more shape like a Sprintstar cap? That would really mess with peoples heads!


Title: Re: new empi caps
Post by: nicolas on April 13, 2015, 18:38:54 pm
Looks good Nicolas, and kudos for making something to solve a problem. How about adding a bit more shape like a Sprintstar cap? That would really mess with peoples heads!


thanks for the comments so far.  ;D

well it isn't entirely what i want for looks, but it might get a little recess on top, like a sprintstarcap, but i am not sure if it is possible side the aluminum is quite thin there (3mm) but still possible. one thing that most likely will  be done is making the dome smaller in diameter. it is 77mm now but i am thinking of going more towards 70 or so.

maybe i'll be able to do another set with the improvements soon. for now i am happy. but please keep reactions (positive and negative ) come.



Title: Re: new empi caps
Post by: BossHogg76 on April 13, 2015, 20:35:30 pm
They look great Nicholas, I'll post some pics up of when mine arrive  :)


Title: Re: new empi caps
Post by: Zach Gomulka on April 14, 2015, 04:12:47 am
Good work, but it looks to me like the flange could be larger to match up with the flat bit on the wheel better?


Title: Re: new empi caps
Post by: Rick Meredith on April 14, 2015, 20:31:38 pm
I agree with Zach.

Also like you said, something in the center of the cap like an EMPI logo would give it the right look.

Awesome job though.


Title: Re: new empi caps
Post by: nicolas on April 14, 2015, 20:33:40 pm
Good work, but it looks to me like the flange could be larger to match up with the flat bit on the wheel better?

yes and no. it can be bigger to cover it up, but it isn't on the real ones and certainly not on the aftermarket ones.
i have thought about it, but it would make them even bigger…
for me it would be better if it was a flat piece that covered the hole, much like what is done on american racing wheels.

if i get around it i will make a full front view.

today was very busy and it looks like the rest of the week as well, but i was thinking of making a few plastic ones for different shapes. and i have a lead on someone who could make stickers (even 3D ones like you have on BBS center caps) but maybe that is too much for what i am after. a simple decal like a 5 spoke or an 8 spoke would look good though.


Title: Re: new empi caps
Post by: Doktor on April 15, 2015, 12:12:38 pm
If you can, engrave EMPI logo.
That would look cool.

Good job for now !  8)


Title: Re: new empi caps
Post by: BossHogg76 on April 17, 2015, 11:29:30 am
These are the ones that i've had made up. Just waiting to be polished up.

(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a378/Rob878/Project%2067/92222080-4C7D-4839-B26C-33633C54BD8B.jpg)


Title: Re: new empi caps
Post by: nicolas on April 17, 2015, 17:28:43 pm
really nice!

if i could have gotten away with flat caps i would have made those as well. but the rims won't allow it.

i'll try do do another set with some more ideas i have now.

 ;)