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Steel wheels - Any advocates for and against?


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Hi,

 

We need to get a new set of wheels. I can't decide between cheap steelies (<$400), OK allooy (ROTAs, ~$650) or fancy racing tires (Kenkei $800).

The money I don't spend on wheels I can spend on other stuff like better cool system, suspension, HP improvements. (I have the points but no money).
 

Thanks

Edited by turbogrill
Very confusing topic
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15 minutes ago, turbogrill said:

Hi,

 

We need to get a new set of wheels. I can't decide between cheap steelies (<$400), OK allooy (ROTAs, ~$650) or fancy racing tires (Kenkei $800).

The money I don't spend on wheels I can spend on other stuff like better cool system, suspension, HP improvements. (I have the points but no money).
 

Thanks

 

Depends what you're looking for.  Steelies are great for small diameter (<15"), with very wide widths and funny offsets, but they're heavy.  Otherwise, if you're going wide with your wheel, the main limiter will be availability in the size and offset you need.  For example, if you want to run 255/40R17, the ideal wheel is a 17x10, and most cars require a very low offset when you go that wide.  That restricts your options to lots of money, or  XXR, Rota, STR, etc.  

 

For a basic 15x8 TRM, kosei, enkei, etc are all fine, and ~125/wheel.  Wouldn't use a steelie for something that narrow. 

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All 15x8 4-100 and plus shipping, tax ect.  using website claims for weight   Speedway motors for basset, Goodwin racing for Konig and 949, xxr wheels weighed by me.(price and weight will vary slightly by style)

Basset steel = 24lbs  $65

XXR cast alumin = 15.5 lbs  ~$90

Konig flow formed = 12.8lbs  $115

949 6ul flow formed = 11.4lbs $169

 

The ratio of sprung to unsprung weight is a big factor in ride quality and how hard the shock needs work to control wheel movement.  lightweight cars are greatly affected by unsprung weight changes. Heavier rotating mass takes more power to turn, more brakes to slow and generally hurts performance.

 

Looking above, for twice the cost you can get 1/2 the weight.  How many teams would like to loose 45lbs of unsprung rotating mass?  

We chose XXR as the best deal years ago. Other wide light weight wheels have come down in price since then but xxr is still an excellent value, hundreds of hours of on track abuse has shown they bend (not crack) when hit and have proven to be quite durable.

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12 minutes ago, turbogrill said:

Lots of good stuff! Thanks

 

I am looking for 15x9, I think zero offset should do it. 36 offset doesn't work.

 

Go aluminum for 15x9, and run a spacer to get to 0 offset.  I think XXR has some really good options in that size.

 

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On 3/30/2017 at 2:26 PM, turbogrill said:

Hi,

 

We need to get a new set of wheels. I can't decide between cheap steelies (<$400), OK allooy (ROTAs, ~$650) or fancy racing tires (Kenkei $800).

The money I don't spend on wheels I can spend on other stuff like better cool system, suspension, HP improvements. (I have the points but no money).
 

Thanks

what is the car and what size? steel wheels can get HEAVY... I'd look on ebay or c-list for a set of used wheels. We picked up 2 sets of C4 17x9.5's for our Trans Am.. we got all 8 wheels for under $400

bird301.jpg

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