Is 8.5kg too heavy for 16x7?

Bevan · Postby **Bevan** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 6:05 pm

Hi All,
Looking for some track dogs and looks like I can get some 16x7 rims for CHEAP.

How will the weight of 8.5kg effect the performance? I will be running 205/45r16 semi-slicks.

Thanks guys.

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 6:09 pm

is that including tyre or just the wheel.?

id try to stick with 15's if you can...much morte choice for tyres....& a fair chunk cheaper too.

8.6 kg for rim only is reasonably heavie considering the OEM 16 is under 6 kg

i found with manual steering the wieght makes a huge difference. the way the car changes direction to ease of steering. the lighter the rim....the easierr it seems to become.

my 10c

:mrgreen:

Bevan · Postby **Bevan** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 6:10 pm

StanTheMan wrote:is that including tyre or just the wheel.?

Just the wheel mate.

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 6:18 pm

sorry took me a while to edit my post LOL

namster · Postby **namster** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 6:58 pm

also take into consideration semi slick tyres are heavier than road tyres....

Postby **Boyracer** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 7:13 pm

Just checked out Miata.net wheel weights...

http://www.miata.net/faq/wheel_weights.html

OEM 16\" is 7kg.(15.5 pounds)

Will you notice an extra 1.5kg per wheel?...probably not.

Will you notice the extra money you have to fork out for lighter wheels?...definately.

Garry · Postby **Garry** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 9:34 am

My new wheels are 8kg and the only difference I noticed from the extra kg per wheel was a slightly harsher ride, like adding another 2PSI to the tyre prerssure. What BR said re cost/benefit. A little bit of extra mass could help with strength too for clipping ripple strips etc. And the extra grip from the tyres would more than compensate for any performance loss from the wheels.

Charlie Brown · Postby **Charlie Brown** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:06 am

I'm with STM here.

Go for 15\". Lighter to start with, bigger range of comp tyres, all at a considerably lower cost. Should be quicker around the track also with the reduced rolling distance effectively lowing your gearing slightly.

To give you an idea on a new set of wheels & tyres:
â€¢ 17â€ is about $2,900
â€¢ 16â€ is about $2,000
â€¢ 15â€ is about $1,320

Bevan · Postby **Bevan** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:39 am

Thanks for the reply guys!

Unfortunately, the deal fell through. I rang up a guy on ebay and I offered him an out of ebay offer of $150 which he seriously considered. He said he'd get back to me and he did... saying that he sold them to someone else for $175. :cry:

I've already got some 16\" Semi-slicks and they're being put on my stock NB8B wheels now. Looks like they're my road tyre now!

Depending on how they go this weekend, i'll probably buy another set for when this one carks it as they're cheap enough.

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 1:09 pm

which semi slicks bevan?

Li7hium · Postby **Li7hium** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 1:16 pm

I dare say these STM.

$175 for a set of 4? Bargain! <----- in reference to purchasing a set of rims

Matt

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 1:20 pm

Nice one Bevan.... :mrgreen:

I'll have to get the low down on them.

Bevan · Postby **Bevan** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:43 pm

Li7hium wrote:I dare say these STM.

$175 for a set of 4? Bargain! <----- in reference to purchasing a set of rims

Matt

Yep, that's them mate!

Yeah, that was for all 4. Was a bargain but not really money I have, seeing as i'll be buying a second set of semi-slicks next week depending on how they go at Wakefield. :twisted:

StanTheMan wrote:Nice one Bevan....

I'll have to get the low down on them.

Are you coming down to Wakefield? I'll see on Saturday how good they are. Will be interesting to see how much I shave off 1:19.05(?) with LSD and semi slicks now installed.