15" wheels for low horsepower cars...

[zooracer]

Have a 100hp swift with 14" that I run 195/55. Just built the car, so I only have the one set of wheels (low buck racing here).
I plan to buy some more wheels, but was torn on getting 15". Have heard that maybe the extra weight and taller tire (messing with your gear ratio's) would offset the advantage of bigger footprint.
With such little hp, should I stay with the 14's.
matt

[Joe Harlan]

The tire won't always be taller..One thing to be concerned with would be wider tire print causing extra drag on long tracks. One thing is for sure and that is it is nice to have options.

[gran racing]

Are the 14s you have decent? If so, why not get some more of the rims you have? Someday I want to have 8 dry rims and 5 rains (parinoid that one will be flat or have other issues). For the rains, use some OEM rims. Weight shouldn't be as big of a issue for rain rims.

By having 8 dry tires, you'll be able to heat cycle them properly or as they get worn out use them for practice days / HPDEs.

------------------
Dave Gran
NER ITB #13
'87 Honda Prelude si

[Knestis]

One very real issue is going to be finding 15x6" wheels that are light. There are a few OE wheels from other manufacturers out there that I could use on the Golf (4x100) but they aren't any lighter than the stock 14x6's that I have. If they aren't lighter, I don't think there's an advantage. At the end of the day, the best answer would be light 14x6's but they are probably even more rare than 15's.

K

[Dave Zaslow]

Kirk,

I had a favor due and obtained a set of Volks TE37's in 14x6. Had to come from Japan as no US dealers stocked this unpopular size. About 8.5 pounds each. Half the weight of VW stock wheels. 6 pounds lighter than my 15 year old Panasport Rally's. These do not come with the proper center bore for VW, so a metal adapter needs to be machined. The 15x6 are 8.8 pounds!

The site below can lead you to spend hours looking at wheel specs.

http://www.wheelspecs.com/specs/wheelmodels/425

I would never have spent this amount of money on wheels myself, but when someone else does, who am I to quibble?

[zooracer]

I run the konig rated-R's I think they are called. Only 78 bucks a piece and around 12 lbs or so.
I was told about the friction on long tracks possibly slowing me down.
I certainly cannot afford expensive rims right now. Hopefully I wont have to in order to win a championship...
The bolt pattern on my swift is not very common at 114.3 x 4, so I'm a little limited.
Just didnt know if the extra overall grip were more then counter the disadvantages.
matt

[racer-025]

FYI,

for 2005, Toyo is building a 205/45R15 that should be approx. the same overall diameter as the 205/55R14....

[Joe Harlan]

Matt,4x114.3 is commmon to almost every 4 bolt Datsun/Nissan up to the mid 80's. You should have no issue finding wheels. 15x6 4x114.3(4x4.5 inches) came on most of the 240sx's stock.

[zooracer]

yes, I knew about the 240's having the same bolt pattern.
Still, when looking at wheels on tirerack or some such, I am somewhat limited to certain brands/models.
But no complaint there, I can find wheels.
Biggest question was should I buy 14's or 15's for my next set.
Thanks for the responses, and I'll have to make a decision...
matt

[philstireservice]

You will find that most of the lighter wheels are forged which results in a lighter wheel and of course more expensive. Most of the cheaper wheels are cast which is heavier, cheaper to manufacture and not as strong. Some examples of forged or semi forged wheels are Volks, SSR, BBS .....some examples of cast are Team Dynamics, Kosei....although Kosei are shot peened also.

------------------
Phil Phillips
2004 Honda Challenge H3
NASA ECHC CHAMPION

www.philstireservice.com

[JIgou]

Originally posted by racer-025:

for 2005, Toyo is building a 205/45R15 that should be approx. the same overall diameter as the 205/55R14....

And about 3.5% smaller than a 205/50-15.

Hmmmmmmmm....

Jarrod
(Spec Miata)