I was wondering if anyone could tell me the lightest rim/tire combo available. i'd like to run 17x9 all around with 255/40's all around. For my street, strip car I've researched and like the sparco nt-r's but what color would work with a silver car? i think they only sell bronze or black in that size. 17x9 go like 17.5s...is there a combo lighter then the stock rim/tires in my desired sizes?

 

Thanks to sleeperR1 for the fitment idea!

 

I use 17x9 Fikse FM10s with 255/40 Toyo Proxes. That combo gives me about a 42lb weight (which is slightly lighter than my stock rim/tire setup). This is one of the lightest combos out there.

However, according to SleepR1 the P-Zero Asimmetrico tires are about 2lbs lighter than the Proxes (23lbs vs 25lbs). So you could drop the weight to 40lb or below with that combo.

 

As far as wheels go, the lightest wheel that I know of with proper fitment without going custom would be SSR Comps which weigh ~15.5 lbs. in a 17" - about the same as a stock reinforced rim.

Here's a pic of them on a silver car:

 

Lightest would prolly be Desmond Regamaster EVO or Racing Hart CP-035. Volk Racing CE28N would be close in weight too but i dont think they have 45mm offset in that size.

 

The Toyo T1-S only weighs 23 lbs in the 255/40 17 size, not 25. Nothing against Manny, but I doubt any other street tire is measurably lighter than a T1-S, which is already lighter than typical tires by a couple of pounds or more. 255/40 Bridgestone S-03s weigh 27 lbs. My rears are 265/35 and weigh only 24.7 lbs, compared to S-03s at a WHOPPING 29 lbs! A four lb difference in tire weight for the same size! That is a very large difference in rotational inertia.

You could run Toyo T1-S 255/40 on 17x9.5 +47 offset Volk CE28Ns, that combo should weigh close to stock at 40 lbs or less.

 

rynberg, I was rounding upward. The P-Zero Asimmetrico in 255/40-17 is 22.6 lbs according to my online source.

tt2323, Volk SE37K is ~15.5 lbs in 9 x 17, 40-mm offset. 40 is a bit low, so take all the usual precautions with avoiding rubbing: roll fenderlips, -1.5 degrees camber, proper tire sizing.

If you go with 255/40-17 P-Zeros, that combo will be 15.5 + 23.6 = 39.1 lbs.

Stock FD R1 wheel/tire combo is: 15 + 23 (for 225/50-16 Expedia S-07 or P-Zero Asimmetrico) + 38 lbs.

You can't get any closer to stock lightweight with more contact patch than that LOL

 

Yeah, those Pzeros ARE light. 255/40 T1-S is 23.1 lbs.

FWIW, my stock wheels with fairly worn out Dunlop 225/50s weighed 38 lbs. I'll be posting a full review shortly of my new 18" Enkei RP-01s with Toyos but here's a sneak peak at weights:

Enkei RP-01 with Toyo T1-S tires:
18x8.5 with 235/40 = 43 lbs
18x9.5 with 265/35 = 45 lbs

Using Toyo's weight specs, the wheels weigh in at 20.1 and 20.3 lbs, respectively. Pretty damn good for the price.

 

Another wheel to check out is the new AME Tracer. This is a one piece wheel.

AME Tracer:

17,9 7.00Kg = 15.4 lbs

18,9.5 = 18.15 lbs

These wheels are between $400 ea and $500 ea depending on diameter.

http://www.kyh.co.jp/products/ame/tr...me_tracer.html

They will be at IAS as well this weekend. Pm me for more info. I believe the company has some partial sponsorship opportunities available since they have just recently been introduced. I can connect you guys to the right rep. They will be running wheels on my car in the booth at IAS.

Peace.

 

These Tracers look like Enkei RPF1 knockoffs. Any idea on their quality?

 

They are just as good. Not made in Taiwan. These are made in Japan in the same factory as the RPF1 from what i understand.

these are however lighter. If in LA, come to IAS you can hold them for yourself.

Peace.

 

would a 17x9 with a 43offset be safe from rubbing??

 

Thereotically, but this depends on the tire size, spring rate stiffness, amount of negative camber, and fender rolling.

 

You can't get SSR Comps in a 17x9 can you?

Brian

 

my rear ssr comps with khumo tires was about 42 pounds- 17x9.5 i think, it was a lb more than my stock setup(its the tire rack optional rear fitment)

http://www.tirerack.com/upgrade_gara...&autoYear=1994

 

http://www.speedstar.co.jp/collectio...ec/spec_17.htm

 

Hmm yeah duh I am stupid... I even have a spreadsheet with that size listed

I wonder how good the front fender lip clearance would be with a 17x9 40 mm offset...

 

just shipped:

17x9 40 offset enkie rpm2's

Tires are 235/45-17 Falken Azenis with about 30% tread left.

32.65 LBS according to fedex scales.

 

I have a hard time believing that to be correct. I know you are talking about 235 tires (which are obviously going to be lighter than 255), but they are Falken Azenis, which are an extremely heavy tire. Rpm2's in 17x9 weigh 18.5lbs. There is NO way your tires are only 14 lbs.

It's extremely difficult to get under 40lbs per corner. There are very few combos that can do it.

 

These specs are for Japan market only. The US market wheels are sold through dealers like Tire Rack. Thus far only 8.5 and 9.5 wide x 17, 42-mm offset is available.

If you want, you could go 9.5 x 18s with 50-mm offset all around with 265/35-18 P-Zeros. This will fit beautifully with no problems. This was proven by 93R1 who has since sold his setup (although with Yokohoma ES100 tires).

Tire Rack has 9 x 17s but they're for E36 BMWs, and the bolt pattern is different from FD Rx7, unfortunately.

A max fitment with Comps is 9.5 x 18, 50-mm offset front; and 10.5 x 18, 43-mm offset rear. For the 10.5 wide, you will need to buy separately a 73 to 67 mm hubcentric ring for that wheel. Bolt pattern is 5 on 114.3, so the wheel will fit, just not hubcentrically without with the centering rings. Tire sizes for this setup would be 265/35-18 fr and 295/30-18 rear. You might consider rolling the rear fender lips for this setup.