Need Race wheels...16 or 17. Suggestions?

[rennch]

Hey. I'm looking to get a race wheel setup for my 72 911. I'd love to be able to afford some *****in Fikse setup, but that's not in the budget. My ideal is to get that 17X8.5, 17X10 setup, one way or another. Does anyone know if I can get steelies made in that size? Or another source for wheels that might get me in the ballpark? If I can't get there, 17 X 8's and 9's might be a good interim step...there were a set of CCW's on eBay that I bid on the other day, but didn't win. So...what's out there? Anything from another model year? Steelies? Old BBS?

Thanks for the input!

mto

[widebody911]

Ted over in the Classifieds has a set of 17" 8's and 10's for $2k

FS 3 piece Fuchs, 17x8, 17x10.

[rennch]

I know! They are VERY tempting...but a bit out of budget.

[nine14cats]

You may want to try calling Diamond Racing Wheels.

Diamond Racing Wheels

From a budget point of view, they are hard to beat. I'm in the same boat as you....budget! I have talked to several people who are running them and they have reported no problems. I need to buy another 2 sets of wheels for my track car, and these are by far the most economical.

Best Regards,

Bill P.

[nine14cats]

Look at the "Avenger" series. They come in the 5x130mm lug spacing and take standard taper studs and lugs.

Bill P.

[rennch]

Bill...I wasn't under the impression that Diamond makes a 17...is that wrong?

[nine14cats]

In their road race series (Avenger), they make diameters up to 18" and in width's up to 14". Check them out.

The wheels I'm having built are 16x10's for my race car. The cost to me after haggling was $132.00 per wheel for two sets. One set would cost ~$145 each. Not bad.....

Bill P.

[rennch]

I emailed them this morning. Will let the list know what's up...

[cstreit]

Souk has a line on some nice steel wheels, any offset.

[rennch]

Good to know...I'll drop him a line.

[jpachard]

Try these guys too

www.ccwheel.com

1800.00+/- out the door.

Cheers, James

[ttweed]

Originally posted by nine14cats
In their road race series (Avenger), they make diameters up to 18" and in width's up to 14". Check them out.

I bought a set of Avengers from Diamond early this year and unless things have changed, they come ONLY in 15" and 16" diameters. Their website confirms this, unless there are new sizes that are not yet listed. They also require a 45-degree tapered 1" lug nut, which is not standard (I believe 60-degrees is the common taper), so be sure to order a set of lugs from them for Porsche stud size and thread pitch. Check their FAQs.

Additionally, they are not hub-centric, they are lug-centric construction, so be prepared to find someone who can balance a lug-centric wheel in your area. They cannot be spin-balanced properly from the center pilot hole. They DO NOT come in "any offset and backspacing", as the dropwell section determines what can be built, and brake caliper clearance has to be caerefully measured before ordering. All that said, they are an outstanding value compared to any alloy wheel, unless you are trying to save every last ounce of unsprung weight.

TT

[rennch]

Thanks Tom. What size did you get, and what did you put them on? Might you be able to provide me with the correct backspace and offset info? As far as balancing, it's for an autocross car, so it's not a huge issue like it would be if I were doing high speed stuff.

Thanks!

[304065]

Hmmm, can I ask the threshold question, why?

I would think if you were AXing you'd want something that could spin up and down as fast as possible, with a small diameter, which coupled with some low profile meats could give you taller effective gearing.

[rennch]

because I have a big motor in the car, and have the torque for it. I'm not going into this blind...people have come before me on this one.

Here's the current plan...16X8, 16X10 Diamond Racing Wheels. (So cheap!!!)

245/45-16 Fronts
275/45-16 Rears.

What do y'all think? Can I cram them in there with the right amount of "influence?" (by a crowbar,maybe...)

[ttweed]

Originally posted by emptyo
What size did you get, and what did you put them on? Might you be able to provide me with the correct backspace and offset info?

I got a set of 15s for my Lotus clone in 10" width so I can run the R25A Hoosier FA slicks. I have been thinking about ordering the exact same combo you are (8 & 10s) for the Porsche, but haven't yet, so I don't know if they can be built in the correct offset for my '73, and whether I can clear the 930 brakes with them. If you fill out their brake caliper clearance chart and fax it to Bill @ Diamond, he will tell you whether they can build them. Backspacing of 5.25" on the 8" fronts and 6" on the 10" rears would probably put you in the ballpark of being able to make them fit. I run the tire sizes you mention on 8 (951) & 9" (930) Fuchs right now with my RS flared '73 and they work, with the typical mods to oil lines, spring plate bolts, camber, etc. They are TALL tires, though, as John mentions above, and aren't ideal for an autox setup.

I was hoping Souk would have this sorted out by now, as I exchanged email with him awhile back about these wheels, and I was hoping he would be the guinea pig. Since I have 2 sets of the Fuchs already, I have been in no hurry.

TT

[MotoSook]

Guys I had some conversations with Diamond Wheels a while back, but I have been swamped at work and at home. I'm hoping to visit with Diamond Wheels in the next month or two, but my earlier discussions with them was favorable.

I'll work on this.....

Edit: I've got the '76 Bastard on the lift this week for some exhaust work amongst other things, so I'll take measurements. I have the front fenders off so it'll be easy to check inboard and caliper dimensions. I already know the outsides are as far out as I can get them with stock fenders (narrow) up front (7" fuchs with the lips rolled!).

[armandodiaz]

Interesting clip I saw on the Speed channel last night. They took a car (Interga) that they are prepping for the track. They switched to larger rotors and from 16" to 18" wheels. They dynoed the car and came up with 8-10HP less.
Explaination: The engine now has a larger circumference to turn so their is more drivetrain loss.
Moral of the story:
Do go with larger wheels unless there is a good reason to (larger brakes). I'm actually downsizing from 17" to 15". My reasoning was the gear ratio on the 915s wear setup from the factory for 15". I get penelized for change OEM gear ratios.

[rennch]

Armando,

Good points. Believe me...if I could get a 275/45-15 in a Hoosier AS04, I would be in heaven. Unfortunately for me, the wider tires don't come in smaller widths in "A" compound. Also...my car is actually geared a little *short* for my preference. It's a 72, so it has the 7:3:1 ring and pinion in the trans. It spools up really quickly, and I run out of gear pretty easily. So, I'm hoping to gain a bit of length in gearing, and a wider footprint out of the deal.

[armandodiaz]

OK just thought I'd point that out. It was something new and never thought of before. Just sharing the wealth.