Light weight, nice looking, affordable wheels, Do they exist Options

[qatar11]

Imagine my shock and surprise to find Gramlights going for $4k a set with rubber on The Ebays... can anyone think of some low cost, low weight rims that will look good on our cars?


Cheers -

[Promasta]

17x8 +35 enkei rpf1s 15.6 lbs each
$1000 shipped for the set

definitely the lightest wheels for the money

[95CelicaST]

Yeah, RPF1's are your best bet if you want an affordable wheel.

Anything else that is lightweight and nice looking is definitely not affordable.

[qatar11]

Dayyyyymmm Thanks gents can I get that in a 16" - will check into it

Do'h not available in 16"s

[Promasta]

sure they are
http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/enkei-r...iiotcld97p8h5d2

[qatar11]

sure they are
http://www.vividracing.com/catalog/enkei-r...iiotcld97p8h5d2

Fail boat - Thank you


13.2 Lbs each? Thats sick

This post has been edited by qatar11: Oct 21, 2009 - 7:25 PM

[Tigawoods]

i paid 1k for my wheels and tires.


edit:
yeah i seconds rpf01's
great wheels

This post has been edited by Tigawoods: Oct 21, 2009 - 7:37 PM

[TRD_Ian]

light weight-affordable-nice looking

pick 2 lol

[qatar11]

light weight-affordable-nice looking

pick 2 lol

No love for the RPF01's? I think they are tasty

[whatthe]

17x8 +35 enkei rpf1s 15.6 lbs each
$1000 shipped for the set

definitely the lightest wheels for the money

Yeh i wanna get them too, but wish they came in lower offset...

[playr158]

OZ ultraleggera

[qatar11]

According to Tire Rack - the RPF1's are lighter..

[playr158]

yea but OZ is sexier

[95CelicaST]

My problem with RPF1's is that EVERYBODY has them.

And the superleggeras and ultraleggeras are nice, but I think their look and style is a bit dated.


Now, define "affordable", because you can pick up a lower-end set of Fikse wheels for around $4,000. Those are definitely nice looking and lightweight, and 4K for a set of Fikse's is much better than 4K gram lights.

[Culpable04]

Motegi - Traklite

16 x 7 +40 12.5 Lbs

you can find them for ~ 1K new.

[playr158]

4k is the upper average value of the cars on this site

[95CelicaST]

I don't think people look at that fact Dan, nor do I think some people care. I know my Celica is worth near $3,500, but is that going to deter me from buying expensive wheels and suspension, and other mods that will total up above that? No.

I suppose my problem is only with the people who put $4,000 wheels on their $2,000 car, and say it's worth $6,000.

[qatar11]

I don't think people look at that fact Dan, nor do I think some people care. I know my Celica is worth near $3,500, but is that going to deter me from buying expensive wheels and suspension, and other mods that will total up above that? No.

I suppose my problem is only with the people who put $4,000 wheels on their $2,000 car, and say it's worth $6,000.

Well.. isn't that TRUE?!!!1111!!!


Plus if I am spending $4K on wheels before spending comparable amounts of money on my suspension; people are going to correctly call me out as being an idiot

This post has been edited by qatar11: Oct 22, 2009 - 9:22 AM

[qatar11]

Motegi - Traklite

16 x 7 +40 12.5 Lbs

you can find them for ~ 1K new.

Those ARE tasty

[whatthe]

Motegi - Traklite

16 x 7 +40 12.5 Lbs

you can find them for ~ 1K new.

Nice, tho offset fail.

[Temporary-Failur...]

Maybe OZ Alleggerita:
http://www.ozracing.fi/webimgoz6/2008/Alle...0TECK_A.eps.jpg

About 13,8lbs 7x17"

[BonzaiCelica]

I like those oz ultaleggera, i think they look better than rpf1.

plz guys lets keep the list going. the rpf1 dont look that good on the celica.

[qatar11]

I like those oz ultaleggera, i think they look better than rpf1.

plz guys lets keep the list going. the rpf1 dont look that good on the celica.

for my application - it doesn't have to look super sexy - function and very light is the name of the game! so for Motegi's FTW

[SwissFerdi]

Wouldn't it be better if you could find those wheels used? Since I'm assuming these will go on the Lemons car.

[qatar11]

Wouldn't it be better if you could find those wheels used? Since I'm assuming these will go on the Lemons car.

Yes! Which raises some interesting points

- Wheels and Tires do not fall under the $500 blanket - you could run wheels made of unobtanium if you want - the tires just have to have X tread rating and be DOT legal.

- We ran 15" steelies and Michellin Pilots which I think we were the only people to run an all season performance tire (we just bought the most affordable wheel and tire package that made sense on craigslist) - anyone know how much steelies weigh?

- I could potentially uses this for my Daily Driver as well... I might go 17"s for the purpose of dual use.


Now that i have know what wheels to start looking for I can start trolling for used wheels.... having said that - we were burned pretty good buying a set of 4 steelies only to find out one was bent beyond repair....

This post has been edited by qatar11: Oct 22, 2009 - 2:51 PM

[Culpable04]

click !


Now imagine what you can find used with tires.

[qatar11]

click !


Now imagine what you can find used with tires.

Right - found those this morning - just need to find a used set of something we talked about - easier said then done.... very specific needs are not easily met via craigslist - anything on the E-bays will have rather steep shipping charges... should be a good fight

[trdproven]

Oz has too many spokes, flat, plain ehhh

spend the money for good wheels. No matter how you calculate we are always going to spend over the value of our car. The only TRUELY nice rims I've really seen on this site is work emotions, volks, and SSR.

This post has been edited by trdproven: Oct 22, 2009 - 7:04 PM

[razor7]

I just say buy used.

Our cars aren't worth that much, and the benefit of putting on low weight wheels on our front wheel drive, low horsepower cars seems... negligible. That being said, I'm happy with my Volk C-Ultras (super dated 1996 3-spokes). They're still down around 14-15lbs, look sexy on our cars (made at the same time, more chunky which flows with the body moreso than tons of small spokes) and I got them for super cheap (technically free for me!).

Keep looking, you'll find a set you love.

-TC

[qatar11]

Here is the source of my sudden interest in wheel weight:

Full Post


some sampling


Size Matters
http://www.wam.umd.edu/~greghess/sizematters.pdf
Finding Free Power
http://www.nerocam.com/SCC_TAPnew.asp
Bicycles and Unsprung Weight
http://web.archive.org/web/200312181.....;/cornering.pdf
Picking the Right Wheels For You
http://www.grmotorsports.com/wheels.html
Wheel Weights Can Effect Your Vehicles Show and Go
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/...el_weights.jsp
Automobile Ride, Handling, and Suspension Design
http://www.rqriley.com/suspensn.htm

Threads

How much does wheel weight really matter?
http://corner-carvers.com/forums/sho...?threadid=7019

Are 18" wheels and tires bling bling or a performance advantage?
http://corner-carvers.com/forums/sho...?threadid=3661

How much will 17" wheels slow you down
http://web.archive.org/web/200501112...gi/topic/7/303

Effect of Lighter Wheels?
http://web.archive.org/web/200501112...gi/topic/7/301

Bigger Wheels and Tires?
http://web.archive.org/web/200409092...hp/topic/7/863

Rotational Advice
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=35522

Some Wheel Weight Sites
http://www.wheelweights.net
http://www.wheelspecs.com
http://www.miata.net/garage/garagetires.html

............. etc

[BonzaiCelica]

very good information. I would suggest checking out your links becuase half of them do not work. Maybe we can get this stickied when you get all your links working....

[Harold_Fastwaker]

There are a few cheap lightweight race wheels available. With that stated, they are all 4 lug so they are not an option.

However, I am pretty sure Kosei K1s come in 5x100. Check in to them.

This post has been edited by Harold_Fastwaker: Oct 25, 2009 - 2:08 AM

[BonzaiCelica]

i dont think their is such thing as a nice looking, leightweight 16x7 by 5x100 wheel that will fit our celica's Ive searched and searched but all the nice ones come in 17"

i like the advan rcII, how much do those things weigh.

[Galcobar]

There are a few cheap lightweight race wheels available. With that stated, they are all 4 lug so they are not an option.

However, I am pretty sure Kosei K1s come in 5x100. Check in to them.

I've not seen a K1 in 5x100, but aren't the TS only available in 14, 15, 17, and 18-inch diametres? Only Kosei K1 I've seen in 16" is the K1 Racing, and no 5x100 I could find.

[Tigawoods]

SSR


not cheap

Type-F

i have one in my garage. just one. 18x 9.5 or something ridiculous i was given buy a guy at Formula D

[BonzaiCelica]

the answer would be that no, there is no such thing as nice looking affordable lightweight 16x7 rims. i mean there are some out there but not the style that im looking for. Okay so im sure you guys seen the 7th gen gt-s wheels. the thing i like about them is that they are exactly 5x100 lug fitment and the bolt pattern is built into the rims. On the other hand wheels like enkei rpf1 and the ssr type f rims do not have the lug bolt pattern built into the rims. And in my opinion that makes the rims look really small.

for example my motegi ff7 look nice but not totally good becuase the lug bolt pattern is not built into the rims like the 7th gen gts wheels are.

I would have to see the gold 16x7 ssr type f wheels with +38 offset in person and up close next to my car in order for me to buy them. or the 16x7 advan rcII i just wonder how light they are, i mean they arent forged they are cast...

maybe i can get some custom made 16X7 white 57 optimise in with +35 offset. which would probaly cost me $4 grand, jk im only saying this becuase i cant find any good rims in nice 16" rims.

This post has been edited by BonzaiCelica: Nov 3, 2009 - 1:04 AM

[Harold_Fastwaker]

the answer would be that no, there is no such thing as nice looking affordable lightweight 16x7 rims. i mean there are some out there but not the style that im looking for. Okay so im sure you guys seen the 7th gen gt-s wheels. the thing i like about them is that they are exactly 5x100 lug fitment and the bolt pattern is built into the rims. On the other hand wheels like enkei rpf1 and the ssr type f rims do not have the lug bolt pattern built into the rims. And in my opinion that makes the rims look really small.

for example my motegi ff7 look nice but not totally good becuase the lug bolt pattern is not built into the rims like the 7th gen gts wheels are.

I would have to see the gold 16x7 ssr type f wheels with +38 offset in person and up close next to my car in order for me to buy them. or the 16x7 advan rcII i just wonder how light they are, i mean they arent forged they are cast...

maybe i can get some custom made 16X7 white rims 57 optimise in 16x7 with +35 offset. which would probaly cost me $4 grand

wat?

[rigley]

For those who are on a budget, Speedy lite race wheels about $100.00
are a fairly good choice.

wheels
http://www.lakeshorewheelandtire.com/custo...dy-wheels.shtml

weights
http://hondaswap.com/reference-materials/p...-weights-28665/

[phantom]

you can't go cheaper than brand new sportmax 002s. you could even get them in 16X8 if you want. they're light to my liking.
its just another option.

[Rusty]

added to the stickies - but those links need to be fixed

[soulshadow]

Invisible 20" rims with tires. Those are as light as air and cost as much as you can think.

[delusionz]

Lightweight wheels will give you better acceleration.
Engine mods will give you better acceleration.
Spending 4k on the engine will give you better acceleration than spending 4k on wheels.

Lightweight wheels will give you better braking.
Upgrading your brakes will give you better braking.
Spending 4k on your brakes will give you better braking than spending 4k on wheels.

Lightweight wheels will give you better handling.
Upgrading your suspension will give you better handling.
Spending 4k on suspension will give you better handling than spending 4k on wheels.

Lightweight wheels are a slight improvement in 3 areas.
Spending the money elsewhere will give a major improvement in 1 area. What are you really looking for?

[qatar11]

Lightweight wheels will give you better acceleration.
Engine mods will give you better acceleration.
Spending 4k on the engine will give you better acceleration than spending 4k on wheels.

Lightweight wheels will give you better braking.
Upgrading your brakes will give you better braking.
Spending 4k on your brakes will give you better braking than spending 4k on wheels.

Lightweight wheels will give you better handling.
Upgrading your suspension will give you better handling.
Spending 4k on suspension will give you better handling than spending 4k on wheels.

Lightweight wheels are a slight improvement in 3 areas.
Spending the money elsewhere will give a major improvement in 1 area. What are you really looking for?

I think you are missing a little context..... no one is talking about spending $4K on wheels, engine, or suspension. Further - in the realm of the 24 Hours of Lemons Race - Wheels and Tires are not bounded by the $500 cost limit of the vehicle, engine and suspension modifications are. So - In the racing / autocross world in which this car lives, spending ~ $160 a corner on wheels (tires are a different story) for some noticable improvement is not an unrealistic goal, especially on a car with 109 HP 15 years ago.

And yes standard disclaimer applies here: nothing can beat investing in the driver.... yatta yatta yatta......

[Demios]

Lightweight wheels will give you better acceleration.
Engine mods will give you better acceleration.
Spending 4k on the engine will give you better acceleration than spending 4k on wheels.

Lightweight wheels will give you better braking.
Upgrading your brakes will give you better braking.
Spending 4k on your brakes will give you better braking than spending 4k on wheels.

Lightweight wheels will give you better handling.
Upgrading your suspension will give you better handling.
Spending 4k on suspension will give you better handling than spending 4k on wheels.

Lightweight wheels are a slight improvement in 3 areas.
Spending the money elsewhere will give a major improvement in 1 area. What are you really looking for?

Lols that's not the point of the topic...and a balanced car is often funnier (but maybe slower on track) than an highly one way upgraded car...

Anyways, as someone already told the O.Z. Allegerita are surely a good choise, its are not to expansive ( i think, here in Italy you can have them in 17x8j for 800-850€) and light enought for the cost...An advice, if you see momo alloy ask for the real weight on the official site. I bought 4 momo REV 17x7.5j, the seller told me its were 6.5kg each and its are 9kg each, preaty heavy...

Have you tried Rota? not too expansive, not to heavy, surely nice looking, if i'm right its are work replicas, don't remember atm...

[BonzaiCelica]

type r vs celica.... trying to reduce as much weight as possible.

$2,200 on rims and tires is alot but not even close to $4,000.

the rota wheels will fit our car but most of them have really high offset and all of them come in 17" rims. yes they do look better than OZ racing.

these are the rims i will probably get in the future. SSR Type F 16x7 with +38 offset and weigh only 11.6 pounds. talk about light and offset is at factory specs. maybe add a 5 mm spacer on the back tires are your set. I also think they come in white if you buy them from nengun performance. also lighter than rpf1 and look slightly better wouldnt you say...

[delusionz]

Didn't read anything about lemons, Just read the many articles you posted about wheels sizes and weights.

Whats funny about a balanced car?

[qatar11]

Didn't read anything about lemons,

its burried in here somewhere.....

type r vs celica.... trying to reduce as much weight as possible.

$2,200 on rims and tires is alot but not even close to $4,000.

the rota wheels will fit our car but most of them have really high offset and all of them come in 17" rims. yes they do look better than OZ racing.

these are the rims i will probably get in the future. SSR Type F 16x7 with +38 offset and weigh only 11.6 pounds. talk about light and offset is at factory specs. maybe add a 5 mm spacer on the back tires are your set. I also think they come in white if you buy them from nengun performance. also lighter than rpf1 and look slightly better wouldnt you say...

Tasty wheels but @ $400 - yikes - The Motegi - Traklite are about $250 a wheel and are of comparable weight (I did not exam offset)

This post has been edited by qatar11: Nov 6, 2009 - 8:06 AM

[chode]

For those who are on a budget, Speedy lite race wheels about $100.00
are a fairly good choice.

wheels
http://www.lakeshorewheelandtire.com/custo...dy-wheels.shtml

weights
http://hondaswap.com/reference-materials/p...-weights-28665/

woot
my wheel
Enkei Bortex 17''
16.1 lbs
600$ like new but used


This post has been edited by chode: Nov 13, 2009 - 8:32 AM

[BonzaiCelica]

OZ Racing Ultraleggera 16x7 with +35 offset at 14.5 pounds


OZ Racing Ultra HT White 16x7 with +35 offset at 15.5 pounds


This post has been edited by BonzaiCelica: Sep 6, 2010 - 8:34 PM

[JuMPiiN]

Since he bumped this thread,

5zigen 17s FN01R-C

I think there about 14lbs ?

I got a set for 800 used no curb rash and spent about 500 on yoko tires.

So there pretty affordable. I think new they go for about 1500 a set. Which really isnt bad.

[Hanyo]

I think you are missing a little context..... no one is talking about spending $4K on wheels, engine, or suspension. Further - in the realm of the 24 Hours of Lemons Race - Wheels and Tires are not bounded by the $500 cost limit of the vehicle, engine and suspension modifications are. So - In the racing / autocross world in which this car lives, spending ~ $160 a corner on wheels (tires are a different story) for some noticable improvement is not an unrealistic goal, especially on a car with 109 HP 15 years ago.

And yes standard disclaimer applies here: nothing can beat investing in the driver.... yatta yatta yatta......

gatar11 did you ever watch the episode of top gear where they hopped up a avantine to go faster then an EVo. top gear faster then an EVo

I personally think upgrading wheels to 17" will hurt your performance. IMO I would get smaller wheels with lower profile tires. Since your not allowed to run big brake kits and your not upgrading the horsepower, your better off with 14" wheels with some super sticky low profile tires. OEM 14" or the 15" GT rims will be a big plus in giving the brakes ventilation and reliability. When your racing sticky tires the hard cornering will chew through them.

[BonzaiCelica]

15" haha please. we've all already established that 16x7 rims with 215/45R16 tires will be the best setup. period!!!

This post has been edited by BonzaiCelica: Sep 21, 2010 - 2:53 AM

[block]

i LOVE these. im actually saving up to get these in either orange or red for my white celica

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseU...&sort=Brand

[basho]

17 X 7--PCD 4 X 100---+45 Offset-- KINGS KG5 Lites , 215 x 45 x 17 ZETUM rubber (Kuhmo s other make) , total wieght 17.3 kgs ea or just over a kilo more than the factory 15 X 7 alloys with 205 X 55 X 15 rubber. weighing in at 16.2kgs ea.(with well worn rubber.)

Cost of new wheels and new rubber balanced and fitted including new hex drive and security wheelnuts- AUS$1225.00.





Imageshack clic image to enlarge.

[Culpable04]

I got a set of these for DIRT cheap



3 wheels are in great condition, one is not, I already found a fourth wheel so I'm considering getting the other one fixed to keep as a spare.

15.5 lbs each wheels

17 x 8 ET35

[qatar11]

qatar11 did you ever watch the episode of top gear where they hopped up a avantine to go faster then an EVo. top gear faster then an EVo

I personally think upgrading wheels to 17" will hurt your performance. IMO I would get smaller wheels with lower profile tires. Since your not allowed to run big brake kits and your not upgrading the horsepower, your better off with 14" wheels with some super sticky low profile tires. OEM 14" or the 15" GT rims will be a big plus in giving the brakes ventilation and reliability. When your racing sticky tires the hard cornering will chew through them.

I am not sure if I ever mentioned going to 17" we started with 14" American Racing Wheels... but we couldn't find a tire we liked... it was either a crap tire... or some exotic track day rubber that violated the tread wear rules. We then went with 15x6 steelies because they came with a brand new set of Michelins Pilots. We acquired another set of steelies (so 8 total) and tried some General UHP tires.

Just an Update... after a couple races - we noticed everyone is running Falken Azenis RT615K's or equivalent. Out of sheer disregard for what would fit on the steel wheels I bought 6 of them in the 205/55R15 size. To find wheels that would better fit the tires we bought (from the celica community) 15x7 OEM GT Alloy Wheels. I have no idea what they weigh but the car is extremely well hooked up now...

The Azenis are a great tire. Very sticky but very easily ruined... we flat spotted 2 sets of fronts after some emergency braking and I think for all intents and purposes they are ruined.

[qatar11]

15" haha please. we've all already established that 16x7 rims with 215/45R16 tires will be the best setup. period!!!

Can you elaborate on this? Or is Manny going to have to close another thread due to my Negative and Skeptical nature?!

[BonzaiCelica]

Your right I don't have anything to back that up. I guess it just really depends on your car setup

This post has been edited by BonzaiCelica: Dec 23, 2011 - 2:55 AM

[Hanyo]

15" haha please. we've all already established that 16x7 rims with 215/45R16 tires will be the best setup. period!!!

Can you elaborate on this? Or is Manny going to have to close another thread due to my Negative and Skeptical nature?!

16" wheels will give you the best weight to tire wall ratio.

What this means is a 14" rim will have thick monster truck rubber tire where as a larger 18" rim will have thin rubber band tire to keep the wheel diameter the same.

In general the best set up for our celica is a 16" rim. The 16" rim are relatively light, and they give you an aggressive thin tire side wall while keeping wheel diameter the same.

However when your racing in 24 hour LeMons, and your not allowed to invest in horse power or brakes. The only advantage you can gain is in reducing weight, especially rotating mass.

If you have not notice, a smaller rims will always be lighter then a larger rim. That is why most hybrid cars come with ugly 14" rims. There are some cases where that is not true, but that involves using exotic carbon fiber. For qatar11 event that is not feasible.

There is also an added bonus of using a smaller rims and thin tires as it lowering your gearing. On most race tracks the Celica will never reach top speed, so lowering your gear ratio my be beneficial. The last bonus of using smaller rims are cheaper tires.

So are 16" rims the best for our celica? yes
Is it the best rim for racing. no...

[BonzaiCelica]

see I told you guys that 16" was best for our cars. thanks hanyo i just bought yokohama 205/45R16 tires. they are sitting in my garage right now. Can't wait for the install in 2 weeks

[BonzaiCelica]

I don't think these are lightweight by any means, but they are nice looking. They weigh 19.3 pounds each.





weight : 19.3 pounds

This post has been edited by BonzaiCelica: Dec 24, 2011 - 4:31 AM