SleepR1

This is a follow-up thread to the BBS RG-R thread Rishie started a while ago. Rishie was supposed to follow-up with BBS Japan to see what the brake clearances were for the "Sleeper" fitment, but I have never seen a follow-up.

I've been in contact with Mr. Yamaguchi-san of BBS-Japan. Turns out that the "Sleeper" fitment in the BBS RG-R will not be available for Rx7 Type FD3S because the front brake caliper clearance is not adequate. The 17 x 9, 42-mm offset has brake clearance of 24 mm. Clearly inadequate, since I measured the front brake clearance with my Type RS brakes to need at least 40 mm. My SSR Integral A2s in 17 x 9, 45-mm offset has 45 mm of front brake clearance.

Below is the transcript of Mr. Yamaguchi-san's email replies to my inquiries regarding BBS RG-Rs for Type FD3S Rx7s: [quote]

Dear Mr.Lozano-san,

Thank you for your e-mail.
Sorry, we do not sale to overseas our products.

We announce you conformity size of FD3S/Type RS.
Front&Rear : RG-R722 (17x8.5 Offset+37 Hole5 PCD114.3)
Rear only : RG-R726 (17x9.5 Offset+38 Hole5 PCD114.3)

Brake clearance (Height of a wheel attachment side)
RG-R722 is +43mm.
RG-R726 is +26mm.

(Caution !)
These size is not applied for normal car.
Especially, would be side overhang a frontfender.

Sincerely yours.

***********************************
BBS Japan Co., Ltd.
http://www.bbs-japan.co.jp/
Web Maganer : H. Yamaguchi

Dear Mr. Lozano-san,

Thank you for your e-mail.
We do not have a data that RG-R724(17x9.0 Offset42 Hole 5 PCD114.3)
would be equipped on the RX-7/FD3S.
RG-R724 for TOYOTA/ARISTO's rear only size. (Brake clearance+24mm)

Sincerely yours.

***********************************
BBS Japan Co., Ltd.
http://www.bbs-japan.co.jp/
Web Maganer : H. Yamaguchi

[quote]

As quoted above the only acceptable BBS RG-R fitment for Rx7 Type FD3S is 17 x 8.5, 37-mm offset part number RGR-722 for front; and 17 x 9.5, 38-mm offset part number RGR-726.

http://www.bbs-japan.co.jp/appli/appli_i09.html

FWIW I calculated the rim lip depths for the above fitments, based on the brake caliper clearance Mr. Yamaguchi provided. 17 x 8.5 fronts will have 41 mm (1.6 inches) rim lip depth; 17 x 9.5 rears will have a massive deep-dish effect of 69 mm (2.7 inches).

Tire Rack doesn't stock 17-inch diameter RG-Rs for FD3S Rx7--only 18s. Tire Rack's fitments are 7.5 and 10 inch wide x 18, fr/rr, respectively.

Wheel Source of Dayton Ohio stocks 17-inch diameter BBS RG-Rs in the widths and offsets needed for Type FD3S Rx7. Here are their prices:

http://www.wheel1.com/shopping/PartD...archtype=wheel

http://www.wheel1.com/shopping/PartD...archtype=wheel

These prices are already discounted from BBS USA's MSRP.

Only DBK, Diamond Black, finish is available from Wheel Source (Dayton OH).

If you want DSK, Diamond Silver, you'll need to order from Wheel Experts. They will not discount for special orders.

http://www.wheelexperts.com/wheelexp...s/bbs/line.asp

Wheel Expert's approximate MSRP for RG-R for FD3S Rx7 is $500 each.

BTW, the weights for RGR-722, 17 x 8.5, 37-mm offset is 8.3 Kg (18.3 lbs); RGR-726, 17 x 9.5, 38-mm offset is 8.1 Kg (17.8 lbs).

PS you can also contact Rishie to order BBS RG-Rs, now that we know what 17-inch size will work. He's been scarce on the forum recently.

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

Excellent info Manny. I was looking into the 18" sizes, specifically the 18x9 +42 up front, and 18x10 +42 rear.

Looks like that front won't fit, but i'm going to look through the BBS-Japan site and see if theres an 8.5 or 9.5 offset that will.

Would a 9.5 +38 be doable up front, at least from a fender-lip standpoint?

SleepR1

Pete,

You're pretty much limited to 8.5 wide (17 or 18), 37 mm offset up front. This is mainly due to the brake caliper clearance afforded with this wheel width.

http://www.bbs-japan.co.jp/appli/appli_i09.html

The 9, 9.5 wide x 17 or 18; and 10 wide x 18 are rear only because the caliper clearance ranges (24 to 26 mm), do not afford enough room to clear large front calipers. It appears, BBS went for maximum rim lip depth for rear fitments, because the Type RS rear calipers don't need much pad height...

For those who like the deep dish look, the BBS RGR rear fitment options will suit you nicely

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

hrmph. I suppose i could squeeze a 255/35 on a 8.5" rim, but it'll look odd w/ a 275/35 on the 10" rear.

SleepR1

I'd do 235/45-17 front, and 265/40-17 rear, Bridgestone S-03s. Both sizes are overall tire diameter matches at 25.3 inches. They're the shortest available in that size pair. Personally, I like the DSK finish. I'm awaiting a quote from Wheel Experts for this setup.

FWIW, I plan to run a 17-inch mini spare combo thusly:

7 x 17, 35 mm offset Rage Euro http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...odeIndex=50490

205/40-17 Falken GR Beta FK-451 http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...odeIndex=28659 This size will fit in the spare tire well.

Recall that Type RS/RZ brakes requires 17-inch wheels, and thus the US-spec 16-inch mini-spare is useless to me...

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

I'm going 18" if I bother to change wheels, and i like the 275 width rears. Recent track events have told me i want a bit wider front, and i think the 255/275 combo will be perfect wether its 17 or 18".

No way i'm using S03s though... too heavy, they'll be T1Ss likely. I can't see paying out the *** for lightweight wheels and then wrapping them w/ 5 extra lbs per/wheel of tire. I'd just but cheaper wheels.

Looks like the world STILL doesn't make the rim i want :-(

SleepR1

Pete, FWIW, the BBS RG-R/S-03 setup is more suited as a road wheel/tire setup with major bling factor (beautiful BBS mesh design with healthy rim lips)

I intend to stay with the 255/40-17, 9 x 17 all around setup for track though...

Good luck!

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

I only currently plan to have one set of wheels for road and track, so i want both looks, weight, and width!.

Track wheels (or more to the point, track tires) mean track trailer, and i'm not sure i want to go down that road yet.

If i could afford a set of modular 18's to get the sizes/offsets i want, i'd just do that.

DamonB

Those are cheaper than I thought...

...maybe I will get some sooner than planned

SleepR1

"cheap" is a relative term, cuz $500 each ain't chump change LOL

Are you familiar with these Wheel Experts dudes? They ship out product from both LA and Houston Tx?

http://www.wheelexperts.com/wheelexp...-asp/cinfo.asp

SleepR1

For me track tires for drivers ed events are either, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Comps, or Pirelli P Zero Corsas in 255/40-17. These tires come with enough tread depth for light rain use, and are hefty enough for use on the road for travel to and from the track venue. No sense in going with Hoosier R3S03s unless you're serious Solo I or Speed Venturs Time Trialer. Recall that I carry a full size spare with the 9 x 17, 45-mm offset SSR Integral A2s, so I'd feel confident traveling to a drivers ed knowing I have at least one good spare I can use at any corner of the car should I run over debris and damage one of the other four tires...

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

After trying to run my car at WGI in the rain last week, and having driven my car in a surprise pouring rain, i'd say theres no way i'd head out any further than summit point without honest to goodness street tires.

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

I guess i'm back to 18x9.5 +44 Prodrive GC07C's all around then.

SleepR1

What do those look like? Weight?

doncojones

Only weight info I know about them is that a 17x7.5" clocks in at 15.2 lbs.

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

The 18x9.5 +44 weighs about 18 lbs and change, and they come in a cool anthracite they call "British black"... they are very hard to find stateside, but i do know of one place:

www.scienceofspeed.com

Check the pics of the BB versions on the white NSX...

Pan down to the pics of the yellow sanai rx7 to see how they look on our cars....

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...hreadid=216220

They're all business, but in a good way.

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

Here ya go... i even 'shopped on some Feed skirts!

SleepR1

Nice

SleepR1

I think 5 spoke or mesh are the only two styles that look good on an FD.

SleepR1

Wheels with 6, 7, and 8 spokes remind me too much of rally cars (ala Subaru WRX STI). About the only wheel that's multi-straight spoked that would look great on an FD is the Fikse Profil 13.

SleepR1

I've been in contact with David Schardt, President of Wheel Source (Dayton OH). He says he can order the BBS RGR DSK finish from Japan. I cannot quote pricing here, but it will be less than what's listed on Wheel Source's website (the prices are already discounted)--if I can get a couple of sets going. Contact me at m.lozano@comcast.net for more details on BBS RG-R DSKs for FD3S Rx7.

ptrhahn

iTrader: (9)

I think the important thing is a ODD number of spokes... 5 and 7 look good, 6 and 8 don't.

A 5-spoke version of the GC07 would be the sh*t though.

THERE IS NO PERFECT WHEEL!!

SleepR1

Amen, sooner or later we have to choose, and learn to love the choice we made...FWIW, the voting looks like RG-R over SE37K...

Coulthard Fan

You two guys are cracking me up with the search for "The Perfect Wheels." Manny is starting to sound like JL... Peter is 'shopping different wheels on his car (and adding sideskirts... you are not well, my friend)... and we're just taking it all in. Classic.

It sucks that the RGRs can't go wider than 8.5 up front, I was keeping them in mind for my next set of wheels, but now I'm not sure. Thanks for checking into this guys, it would have sucked to special order them from Japan only to find they didn't fit!

Funny that I'm already thinking about wheels when I have a bunch of other stuff on the way already. That is sign #26 of rotary-induced-insanity. You guys are on signs 178 and 43, respectively.

SleepR1

Oh, contrare, I'm not even in the same league as Jim LaBreck LOL