I'd like to pick up a set of wheels and tires for some track days. I'm not going to race too much but for the few track days I'd like to do, I'd like to get some lighter wheels and better tires.

I'd like to stick with 17" wheels (cost and weight) and it seems the Enkei RPF1 wheels pretty well fit the bill. They're 229 each and weigh just over 14.5 lbs.

Any other suggestions for wheels for a reasonable cost? They're some great deals on the forum but they're like 17+ lbs....

Will 3 extra lbs make a big difference? I understand my stock wheels are in the 24-25'ish lb range.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Mark

 

The Enkeis are fine for track and your level.

Some wheels are lighter but cost 50-100% more per wheel.

Tires are critical for track use. Instruction on driving also critical.

A few lbs are not your limiting factor once you get to about 14 lbs per wheel. In your case even a 17 lbs wheel would work- again tires make the bigger difference.

If you have stock front camber you won't be able to use the full tread of the front tires. You'll wear the outer edges 50% faster depending on your driving style and ability.

 

Can you list the lightest 17's? Please

 

any of you folks that wish to dis your 17 five spoke wheels I am willing to purchase at least one as i have wounded one of mine.. thanks

 

Hasn't been updated in over a year, but still worth a look:
http://www.wheelweights.net/

 

14.6 lbs is very light compared to factory wheels. Most 17in factory wheels are 20-25 lbs, very heavy. I thought the 5 star pace would be on the low side but near as I can tell it is a least 20 lbs. I could only measure the weight with the tire and my scale is +/- 2lbs, anyway total with tire looks like 42 lbs.

According to this link most 17in tires are about 22lbs.

http://www.mini2.com/forum/faq.php?f...heel_tire_tech

My scale is admittedly pathetic but I haven't seen any other measurements on the 5-star pace wheel.

 

Thanks for the great advice. For my skill level, I agree that those wheels will be a good choice. As far as instruction, I've taken 3 levels of Keith Codes superbike school and an advanced class for Kevin Schwantz's race school.

Though those are for sportbikes, the rules/lines/methods are pretty well the same but for good measure, I took Phil Wick's class also.

What is your suggestion for tires, Hoosiers? Or do I even need to get that aggressive?

Last but not least, should I install a set of adjustable camber plates so I can change the camber when I get to the track or is that overkill? (at least for my level of competition)

Thanks again,

Mark

 

The Enkei's are a tried and true very popular track wheel. You might look at the Bridgestone REO1R's for something that is still streetable. Adjustable camber plates are a must for serious track time and if you haven't yet you should upgrade your rear swaybar. Just my 2cents.

 

The new OZ <~~13.8 lbs for a 17x7!!

Alex

 

Alex, I didn't get anything with that link and didn't see that wheel listed for the Mini on your site?

Edit: Never mind just saw the other thread.

 

I called the dealership to see how much a JCW rear swaybar costs. I don't want "streetable" track tires because I have no intention of driving them on the street.

Having said that, what about tire suggestions? Do you have other suggestions other than the Bridgestones?

Thanks again,

Mark

 

Alex,

Having bought a lot of tires from Tirerack through my bodyshop, I like the quality and prices of your wheels.

However, at 105 bucks per wheel more than the Enkeis, there a little too much for my budget since I'm just doing this for fun.

Thanks though, I'd really like to have them instead.

Mark

 

try the Type-C RS SSR's. I have a set for winter and they blow the doors off of others.

 

Enkei's look good, too!

 

Actually I did look at them and though I can't remember how much they were, they were heavier than the Enkeis.

Mark




Those are the ones I'm looking at. Pretty cheap and light.

Mark

 

You can expect more wheel and less tire for yours. I'm running a 16in. RPF1 so I have a little more sidewall. I'm just trying to convince you to buy them. Oh, and make sure to buy the center caps. They're pricey but it truly completes the look.

 

The ones I was looking at are 17's. I really wanted 18's but there's an increase in weight from 17's to 18's, not to mention the add'l cost.

Mark

 

tirerack sells motegi traklites, its what I put on my car. they are 17x7 and weight 14 lbs. but MOST importantly they are forged wheels as opposed to the cast wheels that have been metioned above. I highly recomend these wheels and had a very good experiance with them. I wouldnt get anything besides a forged wheel.

 

forged wheels are less likely to explode if you hit something!

 

18's for track wheels????


I have SSR Comps with are 13 lbs for the 17x7.5

 

But if the weight was really low, wouldn't 18's be better (lower profile tire?)

The ones I'm going to end up getting will be 17's, I was just thinking the lower the profile, the better it would handle.

Thanks,

Mark

 

To an extent, yes. But, there comes a point where the weight is too far away from the central hub for any real gain to had.

 

14.0lbs is the cheapest 17' wheel. They are Motegi traklites in flat black.