My FD of almost 9 years blew a seal finally and I was going to sell it. I came within a day of signing on a 2002 Viper RT10, forfeited a token deposit, and decided instead I'd save $70k minus the FD repairs and take a shot at building my dream RX-7.

Anyways, my point is that I have a lot of flexibility in choosing my wheel/tire setup seeing how I figured I saved at least $60k so far so I'm willing to choose the ultimate street set up for the rims. I've read the 7 page thread about best combo and it doesn't really answer my question since I'm not really constrained.

If YOU had no budget (okay say $10,000) to spend on the best possible wheels (style aside) for your FD what would you get? And how much would it run? I want the lightest possible (style considerations aside would factor in but within a few lbs only)

From the previous threads, I'm thinking
18 x 9 Fronts & 18 x 10 Backs. I like the look of 18's and I figured with my budget I can afford the expense of paying a lot more to get them as light as possible.

The tires I was anticipating (if I had any choice anyways) are the 245/35 & 285/30's P Zeros.

I have only Eibach Springs and Tokico 5 way's but it seems from previous threads these would fit okay.

Thanks for any help. All my $ have been going into reliability, performance, and suspension mods so far and I'm a little at a loss with regards to the wheels/tire, and possible a spoiler or new hood and paint job.

 

Look into HRE Wheels. The 540 Polished series are very light I'm told. They look better than any other rim and are not too heavy. A set runs about $4,000 but they are worth it. Fikse also builds a nice light rim.

 

I really like my SSR Integrals. Went 18x9 all around and will probably move to 18x10 in the rear with my next set of tires now that I have side skirts and the wheels look just a bit too narrow now. Also I'm up about 80hp from when I put the 255/35/18's on and they break loose too easily now, even in 3rd with I punch it.

Here are some pics:

http://flathat.woodstream.net/RX7/SSR_Toyo/

If time (to wait) and money were no object I would have gone with the Volk Challenges (I think that is what they are called, pic below). I just couldn't wait 3mo's for them to get here.

http://flathat.woodstream.net/RX7/Misc/z1953.jpg

Both wheels are light, I think the Volks are probably lighter and stronger, but do cost more as well.

k

 

wow with that much money maybe you should go with some kickass coilovers...the japanese ones seems real top like TEIN, ZEAL, CUSCO, or JIC

 

Haha, just the other day I was thinking about what I would do car wise if I won the lottery. I'd take my FC, and buy an FD, and put them both in a container and send them to the fine folks at RE Amemiya in Japan and tell them to go to town. If you are seriously going to sink 70k into this project, you might want to go this route What's container shipping on a car both ways gonna cost? Not that much I think, just be prepared to wait a while...

 

I guess I wasn't clear on the saving $70k. My point was that the Viper deal struck was $69,200 (before Luxury and sales tax) so I actually would have spent almost $75k out the door when allw as said and done.

I have no intention on spending that entire amount on the Rx-7. My feeling was that I could put $15-$30k into rebuilding a long paid for Rex that brought it up to what I felt the Viper offers and pocket the savings for
many other things.

It's just that I have no pre set budget. I just know its under $70k, and by a far margin. I wasn't going to skimp on wheels and tires. I don't want to skimp on anything really which is why I posed the question. (However I also don't need a drag racer - just the best reliable modified street car I can possible build) If it takes $20k to do it great, if it takes $30k great. I just know its not $70k.

Seeing that 2003 Viper though is making me itchy. I like the older bodystyle better but the new one cures some of the issues I had with it. (I thought it was an accident waiting to happen with the way I drive and ignore speed bumps and the like). I just want to get my FD back from the shop and finish it off aesthetically now. It's not the same driving my Xterra around Florida

 

If you want the ultimate suspension setup, call Tripoint, they are FD suspension masters. They'll hook you up with double-adjustable Konis custom valved to match a set of custom springs. A setup like this recently won SCC's ultimate handling contest as well as helping Tri-point win several SCCA national autocross championships. The car in SCC completely dominated the competition, and he couldn't have had more than 290rwhp with the mods underhood.

 

"I just want to get my FD back from the shop and finish it off aesthetically now."

I guess its too late to go the LT1 route huh?

If I had money to burn, I'd own 2 FD's. One hooked up to the max in stock form or single......the other w/ that Z06 motor.......Then I'd take the time to find out which really works better between the two.

The next person I hear say "money doesnt bring happiness" Im telling ya will go home w/ no teeth. lol

 

If you really want to get it done one of a kind in US and bar none quality let me know.

I will have RE Amemiya build the motor, body kit, and all the stuff they are known to be the best at in the rotary community. I'll be flying out to Japan to meet with the company and start expediting these special services for those $$$$pecial clients. Including myself. I want RE 99FD motor in my FC.

As for suspension and all the other good stuff, including wheels, PM me and I can take you farther than you've ever been. If you're willing to do this I will seriously hook you up so that we can have you as an advocate of our company and services.

I have contacts with all the above and would suggest having stuff brought in from Japan. Tripoint will customize suspension but will cost around $5000.00. For that much money I know we can do better with a double adjustable coilover from Japan for a lot less.

Sky's the limit. I'd love to have an FD represent out there.

I wouldn't go HRE cause they're to bling for me. I'd still go Kinesis and polish them out if you have to.

Good luck, Rishie

I'm here when you need me.
408-947-0505 office
Automotive R & D
San Jose, CA. 95110

 

Thanks but much of the work is done now. I was
saving the wheel/body work issue for last.

What's your big beef with the HREs? So far they do seem to be the best looking. I also like the rims on the blue Rex with the Lambo doors I saw on an Amemiya site.

 

nocab, didn't I see a picture of your car with Volk GTCs on it? if that was your car, what happened to those wheels?

The GTCs are what I would get for a "price no object" wheel. Either those or Kinesis K-59R (or whatever the 18" reverse lip wheel is - 58R or 59R).

 

I think that was someone else's car... I remember it having a 99 front bumper and a Knight Sports copy hood.