Advice on wheels

[wastintime]

Hey everyone,
I'm about to do my... 8th DE in september, and I'm getting the car ready for it. I have a '93 RS America that I just bought, so for the most part the car is not highly modified for the track. Just some big brakes, front splitters, and turbo rubber on the spoiler. Unfortunately my BBS track wheels were totalled along with my old car. A friend of mine has broken two rear wheels on the track in the last month and this has made me really paranoid about wheels. I know the cup wheels are good, but I'd rather have a forged wheel. BBS wheels are just too expensive, most that I can afford don't even have forged centers, and all of the one piece wheels that I'd like to buy don't fit the car.
I'm trying to get some prices on some other wheels, I know the SSR GT3s are cheaper, but again, only 2 of the 3 pieces are forged, and the most important piece isn't forged. Kineses and Fikes make completely forged wheels, but I haven't seen any prices on them yet. I was just wondering what people on this board thought about them, and if anyone knew how expensive they tend to be. I'd appreciate any thoughts or advice on the matter.

Thanks,
Andrew

[RaceProEngineer]

Andrew,

IF you were to ask Kineses, Fikes, OZ, and BBS owners for their opinions on the BEST wheel, you would certainly get at least four different answers.

In our Prep Your 911 for the Track seminars, we advise attendees to evaluate track wheels based on four important criteria: Strength (against breaking); light weight; torsional rigidity; and caliper ventilation (wheel well scavenging). We also CAUTION that just because BBS manufactures a great race wheel, that does not mean ALL BBSs models are suitable of the sport. Frequently, the most expensive units are vanity items, and far too heavy for the track.

It is a double-shame that you destroyed your old BBSs, because they are our personal "hands-down" favorites. The price is high, but, in perspective, not nearly as high as a big "off" due to a failed wheel.

Ed LoPresti
RacePro Engineering

[ted]

Recently I ordered a set of track wheels from CCW in Florida.
The price for a set of four (17x8.5 and 18x10) was about $1900.
It took less than 10 days for them to arrive x-country at my home in San Diego.
Fair prices and fast service too.
CCW wheel link.

[v9ff]

Originally posted by ted
Recently I ordered a set of track wheels from CCW in Florida.
The price for a set of four (17x8.5 and 18x10) was about $1900.
It took less than 10 days for them to arrive x-country at my home in San Diego.
Fair prices and fast service too.
CCW wheel link.

So what's the selling point about these wheels? Lightweight? Strength?

Inquiring minds want to know!

[ted]

Originally posted by v9ff
So what's the selling point about these wheels? Lightweight? Strength?

Price #1. If I should damage one it will be easy and affordable to replace.

Service #2, They arrived quickly as promised.

They seem to be strong enough, my buddies and I are not aware of any failures. Lightweight not really at 17 to 22lbs each, but then again they did not lighten my wallet too much either. I have five sets of track wheels, 2 sets for short track and 3 sets for big tracks. Under 2k for a set of rims fits my budget.

[Tim Stevens]

Andrew,

I sent you a PM

Ted, The ccw wheels dont look too bad. Price seems fair too. How about some pics with them on the car...

[ted]

Originally posted by joseph herreros
Ted, The ccw wheels dont look too bad. Price seems fair too. How about some pics with them on the car...

When I get a picture I'll post it. But right now my camera is not working.

Thanks!

[Bill Verburg]

IF you were to ask Kineses, Fikes, OZ, and BBS owners for their opinions on the BEST wheel, you would certainly get at least four different answers

Boy did Ed get it right!

A somewhat less biased approach is to hang around the pits and not what is being used

[Dutchie]

Ted why 17" front and 18" rear ? Maybe for using the same height tires/slicks on all wheels ?

[ted]

Originally posted by Dutchie
Ted why 17" front and 18" rear ? Maybe for using the same height tires/slicks on all wheels ?

With my 69 911 and it's lower ride heigth I can't get the stock fender to tire clearance to run taller than a 25 inch tall tire. Shock covers have been removed, fenders rolled and pulled. All of the 18 inch slicks all were too tall, the 17 inch Dunlop fit well. I have seen a 964/ stock fenders with 18s in front, but not with stock fenders on my old 911.

With the 17 fronts I use a 235/620/17 in metric 248/38/17 it is 24.4 tall.

With the 18 inch rears I have two sizes of slicks to choose from.
Short to medum speed track.
280/650R18= 301/31/18 this is a 25.4 inch tall tire.
or for high speed track where I might run out of 5th gear I plan to try a 26.7 tall tire.
285/680/18 = 302/37/18
Here is where I get my Dunlop slick specs.

I only use the same size slicks f/r with the short track 15x7 rims and 23x9 cantilever slicks.

[Dutchie]

Tnx Ted great info ! the sasco page helps out a lot in understanding the diffrent slick sizes.

[Dan J]

Andrew,
I've built quite a few 964 based race cars and have a couple of wheels that work well for relatively low cost. First choice would be BBS's new RE wheel. These are forged magnesium so light and strong. They can be found for 2500 ish per set. I'd use 18 x 8.5 and 10. The rears are 65 offset and will require a 19 mm spacer. Second choice would be Porsche hollow spoke wheels from a narrow body 993 these are strong light and if you are lucky they can be had under 2 grand just make sure you get rears with the 65mm offset these are getting scarce and there are lots of Turbo rearsout there they have a 40mm offset that won't work on your car. These wheels are 18x8 and 10. Third choice would be the 5 spoke wheels from 02 and up 996 which are also light, strong, cheap and 18x8and 10. I have REs and Hollow spokes for my 91 turbo race car I like the look of the hollow spokes the best plus they are LOTS easier to clean. By the way I've not had any failures with any of these wheels over the last 4 years or more. This includes at least 7 sets of hollow spokes,5 sets of 02 5 spokes. and 4 sets of RE's ( these just came out this year)
Good Luck,
Dan J