348 rims

Hmmm - never noticed that - I must have a look at some point...

Sounds like one of those questions that you'll never find anyone to answer - but everyone will recommend you don't swap them over!!

Yes, I noticed it before, I have no idea what the effect is when you put them on the wrong side. BTW, did you know that Ferrari offered those wheels in chrome as an option?

Bazil said:

Managed to find a photo of either side - and you're right!! I'd never noticed, but it makes sense now you've mentioned it!!

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Bazil,
The right position of the rim is with the thinner part on the discharg side for the air when the wheel is revolving. This should help air to enter into the brakes for cooling purposes.
Thus, never swap the tyres nor the rims!

Dr. Bob said:

BTW, did you know that Ferrari offered those wheels in chrome as an option?

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That must have looked horrible!! :ugh: Do you have a picture?

Actually Bob - that's not as bad as I thought!!

Of course the person that ordered a white 348 should be terminated immediately - but the wheels are OK!!

Not sure what they'd look like on a red one though.

I like those on the red car, good find Bob.

I remebmer readin that a while ago how those rims were designed and their purpose. Pretty interesting if you ask me.

fradefa48 said:

The right position of the rim is with the thinner part on the discharg side for the air when the wheel is revolving. This should help air to enter into the brakes for cooling purposes.

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Interesting. Bazil's car has this orientation (drawing air IN) while the pix of the 348s with chrome wheels show them on backwards (drawing air OUT). :nuts:

I thought that cars generally blew air OUT of the wheel openings, from a high pressure area under the nose/bonnet into a low pressure area beside the guards, but it probably depends a lot on the aerodynamics of each car.

Maybe you'll need to track-test each orientation - which fades first?!!

4kids3fish said:

fradefa48 said:

.

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Interesting. Bazil's car has this orientation (drawing air IN) while the pix of the 348s with chrome wheels show them on backwards (drawing air OUT). :nuts:

.

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good eye 4kids3fish, I think Bazils wheels are on backwards!
It just means he'll have to run every 3rd lap on the track in reverse to cool off his brakes :green:

Actually I disagree. The chrome are on incorrectly. The F512M also had similar wheels for this purpose (see article The Last Stage of Evolution). If you look in the photo gallery all the wheels are the same as Bazil's.

Drawing air IN helps to cool the brakes and blows the brake dust off of the rotors. The air goes under the car and is channeled out through the rear of the vehicle.

rosed37 said:

good eye 4kids3fish, I think Bazils wheels are on backwards!
It just means he'll have to run every 3rd lap on the track in reverse to cool off his brakes :green:

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Don't joke - you had me worried for a millisecond!! Well, worried enough to see which way they're orientated on the 348 on the official Ferrari site!! Phew - mine are on the right way.

Also, and I'm sure this will provoke a debate, I think mine will suck air OUT from the wheels to the outside. Each spoke is an aerofoil shape - which, like an aircraft wing, is moving think end first and top surface outwards. If this is the case, the low pressure area created by the movement of the "wing" through the air will be on the outside. Therefore, the [relatively] high pressure air on the inside will flow outwards... I think!!! :green:

Bazil said:

Don't joke - you had me worried for a millisecond!! Well, worried enough to see which way they're orientated on the 348 on the official Ferrari site!! Phew - mine are on the right way.
:green:

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Right, Bazil.
Before sending my first message, I'd looked at the Factory original brochure of the 348 Spider. Rims are oriented as the figure in the official Ferrari site.

That was really surprising is the fact that this problem was raised from the owner of the F40 shown in my pic "punchinthe stomach": he was watching at my Spider and just said "Your front rims are on the wrong side". I'm still surprised by his acuteness.

fradefa48 said:

That was really surprising is the fact that this problem was raised from the owner of the F40 shown in my pic "punchinthe stomach": he was watching at my Spider and just said "Your front rims are on the wrong side". I'm still surprised by his acuteness.

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That's a bit anorakish - and if you don't understand that, ask!!

Bazil said:

Phew - mine are on the right way.

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Don't forget to take into consideration the fact that you drive on the other side of the road ! :-? :green:
Ed

rosed37 said:

Bazil said:

Phew - mine are on the right way.

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Don't forget to take into consideration the fact that you drive on the other side of the road ! :-? :green:
Ed

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Hmmm - that's probably why my flux capacitor valve is on the left too... :wink: