949 Racing's new 15 by 8 12lb wheel
 

Ok boys and girls: http://www.949racing.com/

Who's got 'em? Who wants 'em? What are your thoughts/opinions? What would be the best tire width for an 8in. wide tire?

Man these are tempting. I bought rota slipstreams for the track, but damn, I like these badboys.

mb

They have 225/45/15 Hankooks for sale, I think they'd go well with those wheels:

http://www.949racing.com/index.asp?P...PROD&ProdID=11

Just an FYI to all the autocrossers, though: 8" wide wheels are not allowed in STS, not sure about STX. Obviously not allowed in stock.

pretty sure that 8" wheels are ok for STX, just not STS

Do any MINI owners have experience with a +20 offset wheel? I'm interested in these 15x8's...but concerned about the +40 offset version....I run 225/45-15 r-compounds. Sounds like there might be clearance issues with the +40 and some of the wider 225/45 r-compounds (Hoosier, maybe Kuhmo?)...Currently I'm running Toyo's, they are not as wide as the Hoosiers I had before I'm guessing they should fit....but I want the option to run Hoosiers in the future.... sounds like the +20 will solve the clearance issues.....but how is my car going to like those and the increased scrub radius and track width??

949 racing, you talk about the 225/50 fittment on a MINI, have you tried any 225/45? Where exactly is the clearance issue, against the front strut and rear trailing arm? how about fender arch?

Thanks!

Jason

I bought a set of these for my monster (V8) Miata. When I get mine I'll probably put them on my 2006 MCS to see how they fit (with the +40 offset and the 225/45-15 Hankooks).

Thanks! My other thought is maybe go with the +40 and then use a 10 or 15mm spacer if needed.....


Jason

would love to see these in 16" or 17", 7" wide with say a +42 et?:wink: is this something forthcoming in the future?

Emilio has stated he may produce other sizes in the future. What those sizes will be is anyone's guess.

+40 +36
 

I visited Peter Horvath of M7 Tuning yesterday, did some test fitting. Turns out the +40 doesn't work in the rear. A 17" +40 fits and that's what his initial recommendation for +38 to +40 was based on. The contact is with the curved trailing arm so the 17" just clears where the 15" doesn't quite.

We put a +40 225/45/15 Hankook RS2 on the front and it was perfect. No more room inside but a tad more room outside. I'll test fit a +36 with the 225/50/15 in the coming weeks add the Azenis to my inventory. FYI, the Hankook RS2 is generally 1/4"-1/2" wider in the equivalent 15" sizes than the Azenis.

As a result of this new info Peter and determined the optimum offset is +36 for a 15x8 and a 225/50/15 all round for track or auto-x use. No rubbing inside with any tire and, if you run a wider 225 or 245 race-only tire, possibly slight rubbing on the plastic fender trim depending on camber.

So the 6UL will be available in +36 specifically for the Mini. I've made a last second change to the production run to accomodate this fitment. Those of you that have already placed orders will have the option of selecting staggered offsets or 4x +36.

If I follow this correctly, if one doesn't wish to have 225/50/15, then the 36 offset is not necessary? If we stick to 205/50, would the 40 work?

mb

The +40 only works in the front but makes contact with the control arm in
the rear. Unfortunately the Mini, like most cars, is not symmetrical whe it comes to optimum offset for max tire width. To be able to rotate tires you would either get 4x +40 running 3mm spacers in rear or 4x +36 which is what I reccomend.

I notice in your sig you have 11.75" rotors. The wheel has clearance for an 11.5" Wilwood radially but axial clearance depends on the kit. 11.75's is right on the limit for this wheel and should either be test fitted with a wheel template or actual wheel. email me and I'll send you a .pdf of the +40 clearance. I'll have a +36 .pdf shortly.

949,

Any plans on offering 17" x 8" ?

Nope. I'll specialize in less common fitments that are hard to find in monoblock. If I ever do a 17 it'll be 10-11" for Evo's and S2K's

Is the website order page going to be updated to show the +36 option? Do you expect to have any +36 wheels to test (maybe on Peter's car again :) ) before the price goes up?

Thanks,
Jason

+36 15x8 6UL
 

A few more little details to iron out but the +36 will be on the site before the sale ends. Unfortunately, there won't be time to cut a +20 down to +36 to refit but we don't have to. It was very clear to Peter and I what fit and where. The +40 actually rolled but was touching the control arm. 1mm to clear, 2 more for static clearance and 1 more for good measure = +36 Before the production wheels get here I'll have the Nickel and a full polished in +36 back to Peter and a few other local Minis for some glamour shots. You'll get a more accurate idea of the tire to fender space and general look of the offset. Only 4mm so not a huge difference from the existing pics.

Would it be a bad idea to run these as daily driver/commuting wheels with a 205/55/15?

Currently I have 15x5 inch holies with crap 175/65/15 tires. Would just like something with a bit bit more grip+width and the comfort of 15's.

You could just put 205/55s on your holies.

mb

Need a definitive answer here. 225/50/15 Kumho Ecsta with +36. Any rubbing at all, under any conditions? I would go with the Hankook's available on the 949 website, but I need something for the occassional light snowfall.
If there are ABSOLUTELY no rubbing issues or trimming neccessary, I'm down for a set. They look great and I'm sick of the rough ride from my 17's.

There are a ton of variables that change weather or not it will rub.....on top of the fact that 949racing has yet to produce a +36 yet. I'm not saying that these wheels aren't a good idea, in fact I'm planning on a set for myself....but I don't think anyone can say with 100% certainty that there will be NO rubbing issues at all....

Jason

Well let's approach this from another angle then since i need to be certain before spending money. Is anyone running 225/50/15 with no issues? If so, with what wheels, tires and offset?

225/50/15 clearance
 

I haven't done a fit test with the 225/50/15 on a +36 yet. I'm machininga 6UL down to +36 this week so we'll have that combo shortly. The +36's are in production as I write this and I know they're the correct offset for a 15x8. What I also know is the Mini has no darn tire room.

From the measurements I've taken a typical 205 will just fit. A 225 will probably require some minor trimming of the plastic. Regardless of wheel width, diameter or offset, if you want 225 width tires on a Mini it looks like you'll have to make some adjustments. Basically, there is 8.2" of room and most 225's are 8.5" or wider. Virtually every track car and autocrosser I've seen has done trimmed plastic for bigger tires.

Bear in mind when I say "fit" I'm looking at 100% OE style clearance. Most can tolerate a slight touch inside at full lock are a slight touch on the fender liner/lip if they hit a steep driveway at full lock. I think that will be the case with 225/50/15 and I think most of the guys with 215/40/17 or 215/45/17 are familiar with that.

Tire choice is a also a big part of it. A 195/50 Hankook RS2 is 1/4" wider than a 205/50 Azenis for example. I'll test with thw worst possible case, the 225/50/15 Hankook RS2, which is a whopping 8.9" across the tread.

That said, the 205/55 looks killer on the 8". Dead square with no "wheels too narrow" bulge to the sidewall.

Any chance to test a Hoosier A6 or R6 with the massive 9.8" section width???

Jason

I don't have to put that on a Mini to tell you that an A6 will rub all over the place, guaranteed. Plenty of SM2 autocrossers running them anyway.

Have the hoosiers become wider since the R3 range? I had 225/45/15 R3S03 on 15x7 +38, stock suspension height....zero rub anywhere.... just wondering???????

Thanks,

Jason

I haven't had a set of RS304's in my shop for over a year but remember they were significantly wider than the RA-1's I usually run. The 245/40 Avon has a 9.4" tread and wasn't even close to fitting the Mini no matter what the offset. Time will tell.