I'm considering a lightweight FORGED wheel--it's only 11 lbs, but it's also only 7-1/2" wide. This will be my track wheel. Will there be a trade-off in handling if we select a wheel that is a 1/2" more narrow than the Enkeis?

 

Will it fit with our Brembos??

 

Anyone try this? If 7.5 works, that opens many more options.

 

They're the 5Zigen FN01-R, 17X7.5, +45, 114.3.

 

5Zigen has them that fit 17x8.5 +30. You will have problems with a 7.5 wide wheel and +45 offset. Besides if it is a track wheel wouldn't you want to run wider with alittle more rubber??

 

You're right, but, can't the 235s be mounted on 7.5" wheels? And if they can be mounted, how will it effect handling?

 

scrap your idea - just don't even think about it. If this is your track wheel, go as wide as possible and get as much rubber on there that you can. 9" wide with 255's is what you want for the track. The extra weight will cause less disadvantage than the lack of the extra tire on the ground.

 

I agree with xtnct in a sense that it's probaby not optimal to go 0.5" smaller, but i don't think its also a very bad idea. The Sti has a stock 7.5" wheel.

 

My intent is not to plus-size, regardless of wheel size, be it 7.5", 8", or 8.5", I will continue to use the the stock Advans (just love these tires) or Pirelli Corsas in the stock rubber size, 235/45/17. Therefore, the tires' "footprint" should not be effectively altered. Moreover, it is my understanding that I can mount the Advan A046's on wheels ranging from 7.5" to 9". I realize shaving .5" may be a step back, but how big a step is it really? Additionally, I will also be shaving nearly 10 lbs per wheel. We all know what that means with regards to unsprung weight, not too mention, a drop in 40 lbs of rotational mass equates to about 100 lbs of static weight.

 

It still has to do with balooing of the tire and sidewall stiffness of the tires. The stock tires are stiff, but not that stiff. If you go stock size tire only, I'd still go with the wider (8.5" choice mentioned above) wheel anyway as opposed to 7.5"

You state that you will want to spend money on wheels for the track but not change the tire brand or the width??? This sounds very strange to me. The stock tires are nice but not that nice (not as a track tire anyway).

Maybe you should hold off on buying rims and get more track experience first.... (not meant as a flame, just a suggestion based on the assumption that your track time is limited based on the choice of tire you are determined to run).

You could be using your stock tires for now because that is what you have, but once you wear them out, you should not want run them again - you should want to upgrade to a wider and stickier tire and hence have the winder rims for that.

You should also define "track" - my definition of it is a road circuit.
A drag strip for me is not a track, it is a drag strip. An auto-x course is not a track for me either.

You may also want to consider the fact that every race car, no matter what make and model always puts on the widest & lightest wheel & tires they can fit on the car as rules permit. They even go as far as cutting fenders to make wide wheels fit. They pick for width first then weight second (at least based on my limited exposure to the sport). This is ofcourse for dry tarmac; rain, snow, gravel, etc. may differ.

I do not have any measurments of the disadvantages of going 0.5" narrower vs 10Lb weight saving per wheel. But take a look at what race teams are using - I'm sure they all figured out what is fastest....

 

With due respect, perhaps my inquiry smacked of novice, but, I run at road courses about 8 times a year (Road America, GingerMan, Blackhawk Farms, Waterford Hills). My previous car was a 300ZXtt with Michelin MXX3, those were the tires Tirerack dubbed "the race tire with grooves". The Advans are head-and-shoulders above the MXX3.

Also, race teams have a monster budget, I do not; at $250 a pop, r-compound rubber is extremely cost prohibitive. Thus, since race rubber typically lasts one season--as do the stock Advans--I would prefer to buy used Advans from Evom members, at a huge discount, and thrash those. As many have mentioned, the Advans are the next best thing to r-compound.

Finally, this is our daily driver, we make compromises where we can, I can buy 2-3 sets of Advans for the price of r-compounds, this frees cash for a lighter set of wheels. And most 17X7.5 wheels are cheaper than 17X8 or similiar 18" and 19". Also, as some fanatics might do, cutting or removing panels is not going to happen.

 

Xtnct, I know you are right, "wider is better." I guess I'm playing Devil's Advocate. I was hoping there might be some slight variances in wheel size, that a 5Zigen 7.5" wheel is like a stock wheels' 8". Afterall, not all 235/45/17 tires have the same dimensions; they have differing overall diameters, tread widths, section widths, profiles, etc.

Also, these are forged wheels. Could a stiffer wheel counter the adverse effects of "ballooning" of the sidewall? Wasn't there a post suggesting that the stock wheels flex so much that they actually touch the brake calipers during hard cornering?

Moreover, I feel a sense of accomplishment (as a lifetime member of Slakers Anonymous I accomplish very little) when I pass a Porsche 968, 911 RS, Boxster, or C5, then, after the session, one of the Porsche drivers approaches me--and the Evo--and tells me that he's on street tires and that he wishes he had brought his track/race tires. "Yeah, I wish I had my r-compounds too."