My new Kodiak 15x9's with 225/50/15's
 

Well I picked up my new wheels on Thursday and got my old tries moved over to the new wheels yesterday, so now its time for pictures. The wheels are 15x9, 20mm offset, have plenty of brake clearance for potential future brake upgrades and weigh in at 13.2lbs according to the shipping scale.I think they sit quite nicely on the rim and should give me some very good feel and grip. In back to back testing on Miatas with 225/45/15's, the same brand 15x8's and 15x9's, the 9's proved to be about 1-2 seconds a lap faster, which is why I went so wide.

They sure did cost a bunch, but I think it'll be well worth it in the long run. My previous wheels (Rota Slipstream) were heavier (~14lbs), narrower (8") and cheaper ($550 shipped) but they requried spacers (40mm offset, I used 7/16" spacers), weren't hub centric (not that a big deal) and cracked after only being used on track for two weekends and a brief stint on the street. So the Kodiaks don't really even need to last all that long before they start being a better deal in terms of cost per use.

man, nice off set with a a good width, considering it's small wheel size. :bigthumb:

post some pics when they're mounted. :D

forget those stock offset wheels. ahah

Very cool.

editsorry was tired. i just reread your post and it answered my question

Are you going to have to pull the front fenders to get clearance with these?

Thanks, I can't wait to try them out in a few weeks with the PCA at Oregon Raceway in Grass Valley. I'll be sure to take some pictures and post them up when I get back. It'll sure make the car look a lot different than the old flat black Rotas.

Since it was mentionned, I thought I'd explain why I chose to go with 15" wheels and tires. I really don't think I have the power to make use of wider tires than 225 (extra rolling resistance would probably make me slower), so I went with 15's to keep cost and weight down. They also allow me to run smaller diameter tires to give me a gearing and CG advantage over the taller tires that would be the concequence of bigger wheels. They're also easier to pack in the car since they're smaller. Once those Hankooks are dead, I'll be putting some 225/45/15 Nitto NT01's on (should be here by next weekend), so I'll have tires ~2" shorter than stock. If in the futre I want or need more grip, I can always get wider outer shells and 275/35/15 Hoosiers to maintain the diameter while going much wider (will require a widebody though).

ever consider the Toyo R888?

Yes, but they're more expensive everywhere I looked and people seem to either prefer the Nittos, or have no strong oppinion one way or the other, so I'll be going with the Nittos.

Well I've now done 4 days on track with these wheels and I've not heard a single rub. I've rolled my front fenders, but have not touched the rears. I'll post some pictures of them on the car in the near future.

Wheels look great! Can't wait to see them on the car!

About how much where they? If you don't mind me asking.....

Here are the pictures, including one showing the clearance to the suspension. Once all was said and done (including tax and shipping), they were about $2350 Canadian, so not too terribly bad considering what they are. I'm sure lots of people pay more for the big name wheels that aren't even custom made for their cars. That's one BIG advantage to sticking with 15" wheels, they cost less and they've got about 14 1/4" diameter on the inside, so there's tons of room for bigger brakes too.