Looking to get lightweight rims

Shaun41178(2) · Post by **Shaun41178(2)** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 12:37 am

I have been pondering getting lightweight racing rims for the track and the street. Like a Weld or equivalant. I was thinking 15X4.5 up front for sure but not sure if I want to get a set for the rear yet. If so that would be 15X7 if I get around to it. I read lightweight rims can cut a few tenths and gain a few mph in the qtr mile which is what I am looking to gain.

Looking on ebay very breifly to see whats out there and most rims seem to have a 5X4.5 bolt pattern or something other then a 5X100 that I would need of course.

This being on an 88 I am a bit unsure of the backspacing I need.

Also I couldnt' find much info on weight even looking at Summit

Anyone know the weight of a stock 15X6 and 15X7 fiero rim? I think I remember reading around 15 lbs somewhere but don't know for sure. I was hoping to get a rim that would cut that in half but like I said I wasn't able to find info on the weights per rim.

I was thinking that the neon race crowd might be my best bet to find a used set or where to get a new set since they share the same bolt pattern and I would assume close enough to the same backspacing to get me close. Ideas?

AkursedX · Post by **AkursedX** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 12:47 am

As far an an off the shelf option, you could get a pair of Rota Slipstreams in a 15x6.5" and a 45 offset and run a 185 tire on it. That setup would save at least a few pounds over stock.

I think you might have a hard time finding thinner wheels than that. I saw some stuff for the honda crowd, but it was all 4x100

EDIT: You could probably even drop to a 14" wheel.

Series8217 · Post by **Series8217** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 3:20 am

For an 88 Fiero on a road course...
The 5Zigen Fn01r-C is probably your best bet. Also take a look at the Enkei RPF1. They are available in a variety of offsets, sizes, and widths.
You need a high offset for the front of an 88, preferably somewhere around 48mm for a 7" wide rim. More is better; you can go up to 55mm with a 17x7 with no clearance problems up front.
Rear, get as wide as you can that will fit. I think they have a 17x8 or a 17x9. 38-40mm is a good offset for an 8" wide wheel in the rear.

It sounds like you don't care about grip or room for large brakes.. how about stock 14x6 Fiero wheels? They weigh about 14 lbs each and you should be able to get dozens of them for free.

The Dark Side of Will · Wed Dec 10, 2008 6:59 am

http://www.weldracing.com/

The Dark Side of Will · Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:03 am

You should be able to fit a 16x8 w/ 25 offset on the rear. Not sure about 15x8. Don't limit yourself to the stock sizes.

CincinnatiFiero · Post by **CincinnatiFiero** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 10:22 am

My 88GT wheels with 215/60/16s weighed like 33lbs, maybe 31 but I am almost positive it was 33.

MstangsBware · Post by **MstangsBware** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 11:22 am

I looked for the same setup a while back and there is only one choice that I found. Weld Import Drag Wheels--Jegs site for referance:

http://www.jegs.com/p/Weld+Racing/755790/10002/-1

Centerline also makes a light set of wheels in the 5 x 100--Seems like the 15 inch wheels where 13# or so. They don't make a matching skinny for the front though.

One day I want to change the lug pattern on my 88 so the option for wheels opens up some.

CincinnatiFiero · Post by **CincinnatiFiero** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:31 pm

5x100 to 5x114.3 adaptors can be found on ebay for cheap. It may be worth looking into 5x114.3 wheels, there seem to be a ton more. The Motegi TrakLite series is nice, cheap and light.

There is a way to convert to the corvette 5x5.5 pattern using S10 spindles I think. I don't remember all the ins and outs of it but you can use all junkyard parts to get the corvette/fbody/truck pattern.

The Dark Side of Will · Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:34 pm

The Corvette and GM medium pattern is 5x4.75".

The S-10 bearing adaptation is a kluge.

CincinnatiFiero · Post by **CincinnatiFiero** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 1:41 pm

Its roughly 5x120 isnt it? BMW wheels fit Fbodies and GTOs.

The Dark Side of Will · Wed Dec 10, 2008 2:08 pm

Intersting. I didn't know what pattern BMW uses.

1 inch = 25.4 mm (exactly).

4.75" = 120.65 mm.

I still have reservations about mixing and matching bolt circles that are only approximate. GM large pattern FWD hardware is 5x115, for instance. Some people put 5x4.5" (114.3) wheels on these cars thinking that a mismatch of "only" 0.7 mm isn't a problem, but I've heard exactly zip about the long-term durability or use cases of this arrangement. Does it produce fatigue cracking from normal driving? track driving? A certain number of wheel R&R's? At all?

Assuming that the wheel is hub-centric, each bolt is only off by .013-.014".

THE PUNISHER · Post by **THE PUNISHER** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 2:20 pm

Establish a Budget first.

http://sccaforums.com/forums/thread/331754.aspx

SSR Integral's with worn pirellis

16x7's for $300... he was at $400 , before ... 15 Lb ea

Anyway , keep your eye on the sccaforums.

For fronts.. I would look to see what cars came with a 5x100 aluminum safety spare and pick those up. Light , cheap and stealth.. Older Audi's had 5x100 14" aluminum spares. Slap a street tire on it and off you go.

For a guy who has been to the drag strip once in the last century why are you worried about 10th's? not like you can measure them "goin from a roll"

Faggot.

THE PUNISHER · Post by **THE PUNISHER** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 2:22 pm

The Dark Side of Will wrote:Intersting. I didn't know what pattern BMW uses.

1 inch = 25.4 mm (exactly).

4.75" = 120.65 mm.

I still have reservations about mixing and matching bolt circles that are only approximate. GM large pattern FWD hardware is 5x115, for instance. Some people put 5x4.5" (114.3) wheels on these cars thinking that a mismatch of "only" 0.7 mm isn't a problem, but I've heard exactly zip about the long-term durability or use cases of this arrangement. Does it produce fatigue cracking from normal driving? track driving? A certain number of wheel R&R's? At all?

Assuming that the wheel is hub-centric, each bolt is only off by .013-.014".

Lots of corvair guys run BMW wheels on their 65-9 cars.

I have a set of older BMW "Bottle caps" for the civic. Cheap and light..

I have a set of Kinesis Supercup wheels for sale 17x9 and 17x7.5
3-piece wheels... retail for $1000 Ea..

Whole dealie for $1000 + Shipping. (tires are shot)

The adapters are about $150 a set.

Shaun41178(2) · Post by **Shaun41178(2)** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 5:32 pm

I have 16 inch beretta gtz wheels that I plan to put on for everyday street driving I don't really plan on doing any autocross, so having a light rim thats wider then stock is not the main intention here.

I am more looking for a drag rim thats light, can fit a thinner tire for less rolling resistance. Which is why I don't mind 15X7 for the rears still since they will be light and can accompany a wide range of tires such as drag radials

I am looking for something under 10 lbs for a drag rim. I think a stock 15x7 rim is around 15 lbs if I am not mistaken. If anyone has one off the car and can weigh it that would be great. If the factory rim is around 15 lbs, then any rim in that range is heavier then what I want. I want as dramatic of a cut in rolling weight as I can get and for the dragstrip have a thinner tire up front for less rolling resistance.

I checked out the neon board and got some ideas from them.
http://www.srtforums.com/forums/f56/dra ... -a-205709/

And jon you = teh ghey

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:08 pm

I imagine there is a car company somewhere that makes their donut spares out of aluminum. Ty those?

p8ntman442 · Post by **p8ntman442** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:27 pm

THE PUNISHER wrote:

For fronts.. I would look to see what cars came with a 5x100 aluminum safety spare and pick those up. Light , cheap and stealth.. Older Audi's had 5x100 14" aluminum spares. Slap a street tire on it and off you go.

Faggot.

And the reading award gos to AARON

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 1:52 pm

It was called the reeding award. Yah, shit, didn't see that..

p8ntman442 · Post by **p8ntman442** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:44 pm

p8ntman442 wrote:
THE PUNISHER wrote:

For fronts.. I would look to see what cars came with a 5x100 aluminum safety spare and pick those up. Light , cheap and stealth.. Older Audi's had 5x100 14" aluminum spares. Slap a street tire on it and off you go.

Faggot.
And the reading award gos to AARON

my post was dripping with sarcasm.

allWorkNoPlay · Post by **allWorkNoPlay** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 5:13 pm

For the rears, you might want to try http://edgeracing.com/wheels/enkei_wheel/

Edge has good deals from time to time. I've bought two sets of rims from them. The last set was 80/rim for enkeis that are 18lb/rim. First set was about 90/rim and weighted 15lb/wheel. I'd keep an eye on the website and pick up a set when the price is right.

Shaun41178(2) · Post by **Shaun41178(2)** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:00 pm

15lb's per rim is still too heavy.