Lightweight Racing Wheels - Where's the hot source?

[Ron Earp]

The ITS Mustang is extremely weight challenged. I'm going to do my best to knock weight off if it wherever I can, thus some lightweight wheels are needed. And yes, I read the GRM/Sportscar article where light weight wheels weren't any better on the track or dyno than wheels that weighed 5 lbs more. But I'm still gonna do it.

So what's hot in lightweight wheel world? I checked over at Enkei:

http://www.enkei.com/racing.html

But 15" wheels on a 4.5" x 5 pattern (that's 114.3mm to you ricer boy) are not that common there. And any wheel for a Mustang that has the word "race" anywhere near the description inevitably is for drag racing.

[JeffYoung]

Scroll down to the Volk TE37. This is in your bolt pattern. You will not like the price. 9 lbs.

http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/i...e=&filter_type=

[Greg Amy]

Also note that (rules paraphrased) "wheels are free" and "wheel spacers are permitted", with no further design restrictions placed on the latter. Ergo, I'm of the opinion that wheel spacers that incorporate bolt pattern changes to a more-common format are also allowed.

This position has been discussed on this forum before and not all involved agree with it. However, "If it says you can, you bloody well can!"*

And - JC! - if the philosophy of Improved Touring allows spherical bearings where "bushing material" is free, I simply can't see how anyone has an issue with that. Seriously...

GA

* The "Roffe Corollary"

[JeffYoung]

Same belief here, and I run them and make no bones about why I do and that I think they are 100% legal.

Ron believes they put undue stress on the bearing and spindle; I tend to think if you keep the wheel centerline in essentially the same place via an offset any additional stress on the assembly should be minimal.

Thoughts?

Also note that (rules paraphrased) "wheels are free" and "wheel spacers are permitted", with no further design restrictions placed on the latter. Ergo, I'm of the opinion that wheel spacers that incorporate bolt pattern changes to a more-common format are also allowed.

This position has been discussed on this forum before and not all involved agree with it. However, "If it says you can, you bloody well can!"*

And - JC! - if the philosophy of Improved Touring allows spherical bearings where "bushing material" is free, I simply can't see how anyone has an issue with that. Seriously...

GA

* The "Roffe Corollary"

[Ron Earp]

I like the TE37 look but don't want bronze and that price is high. Probably too high for me. Spinwerks at 11 lbs but less than half the price is an option. Not all that keen on its look though.



I think it'll be possible to find some 5 on 4.5" that are "light enough" and affordable.

[Greg Amy]

Thoughts?

Running spacers places no undue stress compared to running comparable offset wheels. It's all about the leverage...

[mbuskuhl]

Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 http://www.teamdynamicsracing.com/pr...Pro-race12.htm - many of the Miata guys run them and so does my RX-7 which has the same bolt pattern as you. They make a 15x7 5x114.3 and available in +15 to +40. They don't advertise +15 but they made them for me, I paid around $150 per wheel. Made in England and you have to order through a dealer, patience pays off as I waited 2 months. About 13lbs or so. Best value for this bolt pattern. Find a dealer you like or call their US phone and inquire http://www.yellowpages.com/ontario-c...amics-13438212

[Knestis]

I think those stock car wheels would look kick-ass on the Mustang!

K

[DoubleXL240Z]

Have you looked at Real wheels? Flat adaptors, with a wide five wheel. Ultra light and very cheap! realwheel.net
I found an aluminum 15x14 wide five wheel that weighed 10.75 lbs!

[shwah]

Compomotive also offers custom configured wheels that are reasonably light weight, for less than typical multi-piece custom race wheels.

Not quite sure how the looks component has an impact on your lap times...

[Marcus Miller]

We can't have them 'ole domestic jalopies' ruining the look of the class... I'm sure that's Ron's concern :026:

Marcus

[Eagle7]

Are Kosei K1 still available? As mentioned previously your bolt pattern is the same as the RX-7 - actually stock Mustang wheels are a porky economy choice for RX-7s.

[JeffYoung]

K1s arent' really that light though are they?

Weight on this car is crtical. 3-4 lbs a wheel would be worth the money to save it, especially unsprung.

[Ron Earp]

Ron believes they put undue stress on the bearing and spindle; I tend to think if you keep the wheel centerline in essentially the same place via an offset any additional stress on the assembly should be minimal.

Thoughts?

Ron is under the impression the wheel centerline wasn't in the original location, that the 1" thick spacers a) adapted to a new bolt pattern and b) increased the track width. If (b) isn't the case then the small amount of mass added won't amount to any stress problems.

Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 http://www.teamdynamicsracing.com/pr...Pro-race12.htm - many of the Miata guys run them and so does my RX-7 which has the same bolt pattern as you. About 13lbs or so. Best value for this bolt pattern. Find a dealer you like or call their US phone and inquire

13 lbs is heavier than the Spinwerks pieces at 11 lbs. In fact, the old cheap Koneig wheels I ran on my Z were 13 lbs each and were $450 for four. Heck of a deal.

I think those stock car wheels would look kick-ass on the Mustang!

I'm tending to agree. At first I immediately didn't like them but I could see using them and it turning out well.

Have you looked at Real wheels? Flat adaptors, with a wide five wheel. Ultra light and very cheap! realwheel.net
I found an aluminum 15x14 wide five wheel that weighed 10.75 lbs!

Those sound pretty good. I'll give those folks a call and see what they have to offer. Never heard of them but thanks for the suggestion.

Compomotive also offers custom configured wheels that are reasonably light weight, for less than typical multi-piece custom race wheels.

Not quite sure how the looks component has an impact on your lap times...

Man, your car has to look good. Otherwise as Marcus says the domestic iron will be spoiling the look of the class.

Are Kosei K1 still available? As mentioned previously your bolt pattern is the same as the RX-7 - actually stock Mustang wheels are a porky economy choice for RX-7s.

Still available.

K1s arent' really that light though are they?

Weight on this car is crtical. 3-4 lbs a wheel would be worth the money to save it, especially unsprung.

According to this chart you're correct, not that light:

http://www.superhonda.com/tech/wheel_weights.html

K1s coming in at 13.5 lbs. While light wheels upfront are a good thing I don't think it'll make any difference at all to the rear with that solid axle. Four more pounds back there, with all the other hardware being added to make it handle well, won't be felt.

The stock Mustang V6 wheels are good candidates for rain wheels so I'll keep those around. But I'll need to invest some coin into eight to twelve race wheels for dry tires. Wheel could easily be the single most expensive component of this ITS Rustang.

I haven't noticed it before but 15" wheel choices are definitely not all that abundant. 17" wheels are far more common.

[benspeed]

I bought some very expensive Kodiak rims about a year ago - 16 x 8.5. Maybe 16-17 pounds. This weekend at NJMP I noticed some scratches. On further looking they were cracks in the spokes. Dismounted all wheels and all had stress cracks with some cracked all the way through the spoke.

I'm contacting Kodiak today. These guys also are the new owners of Fikse wheels. Hope they stand behind their product. These wheels have maybe 20 weekends on them tops. $600 per wheel!

[JeffYoung]

I run a pretty significant offset (I think it was 37 mm) -- a big change from stock -- with the spacers.

My guess is there is no noticeable difference in track, or if there is it is minimal.

You are to the point with that car that 8 lbs matters. I'd spend the coin on the lightest wheels you can find, at least one set. I have two sets of Volks and two sets of much cheaper ProRace 2s. I can't tell a damn bit of difference when driving, but there is a 10 lb difference on the scales.

[Ron Earp]

I bought some very expensive Kodiak rims about a year ago - 16 x 8.5. Maybe 16-17 pounds. $600 per wheel!

That is serious coin. I hope you can get some relief from them on the wheels but I suspect not. Most of these outfits indicate racing use is completely uncovered for repairs.

You are to the point with that car that 8 lbs matters. I'd spend the coin on the lightest wheels you can find, at least one set. I have two sets of Volks and two sets of much cheaper ProRace 2s. I can't tell a damn bit of difference when driving, but there is a 10 lb difference on the scales.

I'm going to suck it up and get light forged wheels. What are Prorace 2s? All your wheels look the same to me, just different shades of color.

[Ron Earp]

Have you looked at Real wheels? Flat adaptors, with a wide five wheel. Ultra light and very cheap! realwheel.net
I found an aluminum 15x14 wide five wheel that weighed 10.75 lbs!

I called RealWheels this morning and the guy there quoted me $364 per wheel, 15x7, and each wheel was to weigh 13.84 lbs. I must be doing something wrong.

[CRallo]

I called RealWheels this morning and the guy there quoted me $364 per wheel, 15x7, and each wheel was to weigh 13.84 lbs. I must be doing something wrong.

he must have meant a 15x4 rim, not 15x14... or it was back wen the dinos roamed the earth and a gallon of gas was $.05

[jrx13]

I don't believe they make Kosei anymore in a 15x7 5 lug pattern. They still make them four lug for all the Miata drivers.

I went with Team Dynamics as well. I didn't wait, so got them in a +35 offset. Got them from Good-Win Motorsports.