View Poll Results: Which set of wheels is better, performance-wise?
1993
1
9.09%
2002 (Spirit R)
10
90.91%
Voters: 11. You may not vote on this poll
1993 wheels VS. Spirit R (2002) wheels, performance-wise?
#1
1993 wheels VS. Spirit R (2002) wheels, performance-wise?
Hello guys,
I'm trying to justify a purchase for my FD. I still got my OEM wheels after 10 years of ownership.
1993: 15 lbs, 225/50-16 tires
2002: 19 lbs, 255/40-17 & 235/45-17
Which wheels win? Do not consider esthetic factor.
I'm trying to justify a purchase for my FD. I still got my OEM wheels after 10 years of ownership.
1993: 15 lbs, 225/50-16 tires
2002: 19 lbs, 255/40-17 & 235/45-17
Which wheels win? Do not consider esthetic factor.
#3
Rotary Enthusiast
I don't think either is ideal at this point. I'm running 18-inch RX-8 wheels (because the car came with them). Having a lower-profile sidewall will give you better performance on the track, if that's the kind of performance you're talking about (so the Spirit R wheels), but you can get lighter wheels for much less money. For example, on Tire Rack, I can see that the Enkei RPF1 is listed at 15.5 lbs. at the 17x8 size.
#4
RX-7 Bad Ass
iTrader: (55)
Comparing the wheels one to another with the same times and everything, the weight of the wheel isn't something you will notice unless you're a pro race car driver.
The big thing with going to 17" wheels is way more selection in tires. You'll be able to have a lot more options in performance tires and a good tire can transform how a car drives and handles.
I'm guessing your car is somewhat close to stock, when upgrading power you have to upgrade to larger width tires just to keep traction.
Dale
The big thing with going to 17" wheels is way more selection in tires. You'll be able to have a lot more options in performance tires and a good tire can transform how a car drives and handles.
I'm guessing your car is somewhat close to stock, when upgrading power you have to upgrade to larger width tires just to keep traction.
Dale
#5
Original Gangster/Rotary!
iTrader: (213)
The price tag of the Spirit-R wheels is only justified if you love the style and want the OEM/JDM legitmo cred IMO. Keep in mind they come in OEM (read: nasty) offsets so without spacers you'll be sunken battleship, only slightly better than the USDM 93 setup.
Look into a used set of BBS RG-R, or as mentioned RPF1, PF01 etc depending on budget.
Look into a used set of BBS RG-R, or as mentioned RPF1, PF01 etc depending on budget.
#6
Urban Combat Vet
iTrader: (16)
FWIW, Enkei PFO1SS in 17x9 +48. Strong, relatively light, not silly expensive and takes 255/40 all around. You just need hubcentric rings which IIRC were less than $20...
Last edited by Sgtblue; 12-19-17 at 06:59 AM.
#7
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
iTrader: (19)
Spirit R ANYthing is pretty much garage queen at this point. It'd be stupid to pay all that money and then curb rash em. Especially if a set of 16s from a 92-3 are even on your radar.
I have a plain ol' set of 1999 spec wheels that I cruise around on. The more I look at the car with them, the less I want to put my CCWs back on.
Cheap, available, OEM RX-7, and not bad looking.
Not my car but here's a pic of '99 specs.
I have a plain ol' set of 1999 spec wheels that I cruise around on. The more I look at the car with them, the less I want to put my CCWs back on.
Cheap, available, OEM RX-7, and not bad looking.
Not my car but here's a pic of '99 specs.
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#8
Original Gangster/Rotary!
iTrader: (213)
SgtBlue, those wheels on your FD look freaking pimp my man
Natey, cmon now...... curbing nice/rare wheels is a shitty situation, but that's no reason not to rock high-end wheels 24/7. One thing I like about Fikses-- it's not a huge ordeal to have minor curb rash worked out of the outer lip. Uncoated polished aluminum and three piece construction have their benefits in this case
On a related note, just saw a set of pristine S-R wheels on ebay the other day....... for $3450. Ouch.
Natey, cmon now...... curbing nice/rare wheels is a shitty situation, but that's no reason not to rock high-end wheels 24/7. One thing I like about Fikses-- it's not a huge ordeal to have minor curb rash worked out of the outer lip. Uncoated polished aluminum and three piece construction have their benefits in this case
On a related note, just saw a set of pristine S-R wheels on ebay the other day....... for $3450. Ouch.
The following users liked this post:
Sgtblue (12-23-17)
#9
Stock boost FTW!
iTrader: (22)
GoodFella,
Since you are a Certified Wheel *****, what is your recommended 17" size for near flush, don't have to roll anything?
Natey's setup looks good, but I'd like some clarity.
I too have been dreaming of the Spirit R wheels, but the prices are just silly. Checking out the RG-R you mentioned and the prices seem to be within the realm of sanity. At least they are within reason of affordability for my budget.
Vince
Since you are a Certified Wheel *****, what is your recommended 17" size for near flush, don't have to roll anything?
Natey's setup looks good, but I'd like some clarity.
I too have been dreaming of the Spirit R wheels, but the prices are just silly. Checking out the RG-R you mentioned and the prices seem to be within the realm of sanity. At least they are within reason of affordability for my budget.
Vince
#10
Original Gangster/Rotary!
iTrader: (213)
GoodFella,
Since you are a Certified Wheel *****, what is your recommended 17" size for near flush, don't have to roll anything?
Natey's setup looks good, but I'd like some clarity.
I too have been dreaming of the Spirit R wheels, but the prices are just silly. Checking out the RG-R you mentioned and the prices seem to be within the realm of sanity. At least they are within reason of affordability for my budget.
Vince
Since you are a Certified Wheel *****, what is your recommended 17" size for near flush, don't have to roll anything?
Natey's setup looks good, but I'd like some clarity.
I too have been dreaming of the Spirit R wheels, but the prices are just silly. Checking out the RG-R you mentioned and the prices seem to be within the realm of sanity. At least they are within reason of affordability for my budget.
Vince
17s are a bit tough IMO because to go nice and wide out back you are forced into overly tall rear tires, which kill your gearing and slow you down.
What are your power goals and usage?
One option:
17x8.5 +38 front with a 245/40
17x10 +43 rear with a 265/40 or 275/40 <----mega tall 25.7 inches yo.
Another option:
17x8.5 +38 with a 225/40
17x9.5 +38 with a 255/40
Less rubber, but less weight and more ideal 25 inch OD. With today's tire tech the right rubber (*cough* RE-71R) will hold at pretty stout power levels.....my 265/35-18 rear RE-71Rs hold 20 psi on a PT6466 on the street, after first gear anyway
Last edited by GoodfellaFD3S; 12-23-17 at 03:32 PM.
#11
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (32)
Curious about the offset too. I have a set of RZ wheels and the +50 offset puts them a little non-flush looking. I don't want to install longer studs since this is a nasty job in the rear, so this means a max 5mm spacer on the OEM studs or a 15mm spacer that works with the stock studs. So the question is, can the OEM 17" wheels and OEM tire sizes (235F / 255R) work without interference with 15mm spacers? The front fenders are rolled by a previous owner, but the rears are not rolled. It looks like it might be close with the extra 15mm.
#12
Original Gangster/Rotary!
iTrader: (213)
Curious about the offset too. I have a set of RZ wheels and the +50 offset puts them a little non-flush looking. I don't want to install longer studs since this is a nasty job in the rear, so this means a max 5mm spacer on the OEM studs or a 15mm spacer that works with the stock studs. So the question is, can the OEM 17" wheels and OEM tire sizes (235F / 255R) work without interference with 15mm spacers? The front fenders are rolled by a previous owner, but the rears are not rolled. It looks like it might be close with the extra 15mm.
With your RZs you can go the same route. Get high quality spacers like H&R, Eibach etc, make sure to torque them properly with top quality lugs. For the lugs that bolt the wheel down I love the McGard spline-drive:
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...hrome-1115635/
#13
Stock boost FTW!
iTrader: (22)
Rich,
Thanks for the advice!
As far as power goals, my end goal is bolt ons, twin power or sake bomb ignition, and a tune, wherever that ends up. I'm not interested in going single or BNRs, because:
A) Money factor
B) It's fast enough for my skill level
C) I don't want to ruin how nice it is being close to stock
Nice wheels would just be icing on the cake. For your 17x8.5 and 17x9.5 scenario, that would be a really nice plus 1 upgrade and shouldn't ruin the ride wth too stiff of a side wall?
Next dumb question, making the front wider and pushing the offset outward, does it have much affect on the steering? My napkin math figures 0.5" ~12.5mm and the offset is changing 12mm so it should keep the inside of the wheel nearly in the same position. Or, I'm completely messing that up.
Vince
Thanks for the advice!
As far as power goals, my end goal is bolt ons, twin power or sake bomb ignition, and a tune, wherever that ends up. I'm not interested in going single or BNRs, because:
A) Money factor
B) It's fast enough for my skill level
C) I don't want to ruin how nice it is being close to stock
Nice wheels would just be icing on the cake. For your 17x8.5 and 17x9.5 scenario, that would be a really nice plus 1 upgrade and shouldn't ruin the ride wth too stiff of a side wall?
Next dumb question, making the front wider and pushing the offset outward, does it have much affect on the steering? My napkin math figures 0.5" ~12.5mm and the offset is changing 12mm so it should keep the inside of the wheel nearly in the same position. Or, I'm completely messing that up.
Vince
Last edited by Project88Turbo; 12-23-17 at 07:03 PM.
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