FC Road Racing Wheels
 

Hello all. First time poster here. Pardon me if I don't follow proper protocal, but having done a search, I didn't find much current information about road racing wheels for the FC RX-7. Our car runs in NASA's EO class (also PTB), and we presently run 245/45-16 tire on a cast 16x7.5 wheel in the stock ET40 offset with a small spacer to clear the Tein coil-overs. Our goals with new wheels are the following:
- lighter weight (15" or 16")
- wider (8")
- more negative offset (the car has wider fenders/quarters)
- budget minded price (hey, we're not running an RX-8!)

Any advice from those knowledgeable of such things?

BTW, if anyone is interested, here's a photo and a link to a video clip from our last race:
http://a503.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...6a94f8aea6.jpg

VIDEO CLIP - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c__UVzIpAQM

Thanks!

Diamondracingwheels.com makes racing wheels and have low prices, you might want to give them a call. Great vid by the way.

Welcome! Nice to see another PT 2nd Gen.

Tell more about the car - why the PTB? I'm assuming you dyno classed b/c of a street port? I max out PTC points but don't have the porting but do have extensive mods.

Sorry I can't help on the wheels, I run Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 in a 15x7 ET35 and 1/2" spacer. They don't make the size you want.

Try Spin Werkes, they make aluminum wheels that are reasonably priced (they look like circle track steel wheels). Or you could get some 15x8 Rota Slipstreams from 18racing.com and just live with the spacers, as they're 40mm offset. That's what I run for my track wheels and they're a heck of a deal at $550 shipped (last time I checked anyway) and are reasonably light at about 14lbs.

I run rotas on my racecar and would reccomend them to anyone. I have two sets in 15 and am thinking of getting a third in either 17 or 16. Call Mr. Kim at Rota directlly in California and he will get you a good price. They are light, look great, and are cheap.

By the way SCCAITS,...Youve inspired me and now I think Im going down the same path as you right now. Ive given up completelly on SCCA, and am completelly rebuilding my car for NASA. Ill send you some pics once I have it all back together ;)

Great looking car WEBRACING, lets see some more pics!

best wheel I have found for the FC is from the 98 Mazda 626 16x7 with a better offset. can't remember but check tire rack. It will clear coil overs without spacers. front fenders may need some extra rolling though. I use the Kosei K1 light strong and best of all cheap at $170 each or so. looks like they are no longer available from tire rack. but I believe the RX7 uses a 48mm offset and the 626 a 38mm or 40mm offset. the smaller offset moves the wheel away from the strut. 8-10mm is probably the thickness of the spacer.

The cheapest light wheel would be FD wheels. You can usually get them for $50 a piece and just run 1" spacers. They are 16x8 with a +40 offset and weigh ~ 13 lbs.

FD's are 50mm offset. 15" wheels are better for getting shorter tires which will give you a better launch out of the corners, better brake performance and will generally give you less unsprung mass along with a lower CG for better handling. That said, about as wide as you can go on DOT tires is 225's (or there's the crazy wide 275 Hoosiers). So unless you're running crazy power, you're likely better off on 15's.

Wish I knew more about the car, but I'm just the driver! Shawn takes care of all of the development work, and he's been great to work with. I think it may have a bit of porting work, and it's presently carbureted. He's really made the car a whole lot better to drive since I started with the team a couple of years ago.

Thanks for all of the wheel advice. Looks like the options are somewhat limited and/or relatively expensive. If I stumble upon a magic solution, I'll be sure to share the wealth!