Mazda Rotary Club

Hi guys,
 
An important question i need your help with. I have been reading a lot of the threads about 18s/19s especially that long thread by Leeroy. A lot of good information.
 
I have an RZ on standard non-bilstein suspension. Im aiming for a fast road car/cruiser with no track work. You could say the look of the car is as important as the performance at this point.
 
Looking to get some 18s or 19s put on it within the next 2 weeks and am going for polished silver deep dish look.
 
I will be lowering the car ( i like that look even though speedbumps are a nightmare) and am using Tein S Tech springs as I do not want to go for coilovers. about 1.5 inch drop.
 
I will be having the arches rolled but no wide arch kit.
 
I def want the wheels to really fill out the arch in terms of width. I like it when the tyre edge is flush with the wheel arch.
 
Kind of like this (sorry for not asking permission earlier but was in a rush. I hope you dont mind me using your car as an example-it looks perfect! :-))
 
(http://www.corsasport.co.uk/carimages/4242/05112006499.jpg)
 
 
So taking into account the above situation;
 
Would 19s cause a problem?
How bad is the handling on 19s?
How noticeable is the handling difference between 18s and 19s?
How badly is acceleration affected?
I have seen pictures of 18s and sometimes they look small, sometimes big. Can anyone post pictures of lowered RX7s on 18s and/or 19s please?
 
Its a lot of money to spend and so want to get it right!
 
Appreciate your help guys
:driving

Lowered on 19\'s. Handling is definitely compromised, I would go 18\'s if I were you.

19\'s are all show and no go.

17\'s are the best size, 18\'s if you must, but be sure they are light !!

pete call me

You could go 19\'s on the rear up to 10" wide,this will keep it flush with the arches. With rolled arches you can get up too a 285 under the rear.
On the fronts go for 18\'s of the same design,no wider than an 8". This means the front will stick through the corners and the car won\'t tram line as much as on a 19" front,plus 19\'s rub the inner arches away..
 I know having different sizes seems odd,but it works and there\'re a few cars on the MRC with this set up.
Of course the pureist will say no larger than a 17",coz anything larger ruins the handling.

Quote from: harris2182pete call me

Righto..:D

What\'s the widest you can go without rolling the arches then Pete?

About 275 to still get more or less in line with the arch?

Chris

Quote from: D2BBAWhat\'s the widest you can go without rolling the arches then Pete?

About 275 to still get more or less in line with the arch?

Chris

What sort of Offsets are we talking?

Quote from: GrizzlyWhat sort of Offsets are we talking?

Talking a 45 all round mate

Chris

Ive got 19s on mione and will be going back to 18s, handling and ride definately compromised, let me know if your interested. looking for £700

(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y300/deanflowers/09-09-07_1452.jpg)

(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y300/deanflowers/wheel.jpg)

offset ET35 and they are 8inch rims with 235/35/19 tyres

they are fake split rims

Quote from: deanflowershandling and ride definately compromised,

way to sell it to him! :rolleyes:

yea but Jin Kazama and Red and Single have both said the same in this thread and it is true. Car looks nice on them but it will alter the drive.

Dean those are some pretty decent looking 19s.
 
These are some really useful opinions seeing as you guys have been driving these cars for a while. After reading all your comments it seems like 18s are the best compromise for handling and looks.
 
Now i need to find a decent supplier. I was thinking of going up to wheelmania in birmingham. Can anyone recommend somewhere good around london?
 
And what do you guys think of the Carlsson style multispoke rim for an rx7. The kind you see on the Carlsson SL55 AMG. I think that wheel would change the look of the car completely!

All the fast timeattack cars in Japan run 18\'s nowadays.

i was going to get a set of rota wheels or volks. there are a fair few suppliers of these. Also take a look at the blitz z1 rims if you like the multispoke
(http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/ntnsracing_1986_201807622)

I will check out the blitz, they always look good.
 
Im definately getting 18s now, just seems more sensible, and the tyres dont cost as much!!
 
What do you guys think of the following wheels on a black, lowered FD with a feed front bumper and skirts, lightly tinted windows, bare arsed.
 
(http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/resources/images/zoom/MANDRUS_MILLENIUM.jpg)

They look a little heavy.....

If I was putting 18\'s on a car, they would have to be really really lightweight and really really very japanese :D

Volk Racing, Advan, Buddy Club, SSR, etc etc

Dont skimp on wheels, thay are so important to the cars look.

Quote from: deanflowersi was going to get a set of rota wheels or volks. there are a fair few suppliers of these. Also take a look at the blitz z1 rims if you like the multispoke
(http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/ntnsracing_1986_201807622)

LOL i\'m after a set of these at the mo and there EXPENSIVE!!! £500+ each rim.

Thing is when selecting a rim you have to think of the weight with tyre, look at it this way a forged Advan or Rays/Volk in 18 will often weigh less than a cheap 17. Unfortunatly in the world of wheels you get what you pay for.

I\'ve had all three! 17 - 18 I didn\'t notice a difference in handling, it is harsher over bumps though. The 19\'s were VERY crashy over bumps, tramlined all over the place and felt very vague. Did look good though ;)

I agree, you definately get what you pay for with alloys. Lightweights are the best but i think at this point im looking for more show. The car isnt really used on track, its more for cruising (albeit very rapidly!lol) and so the look of the alloys is slightly more important. The engine is stock but as i start performance mods later in the year, i will look into lightweight alloys then.
 
What do you guys think of trafficstar? or even Mania Vortex\'s?
 
Just my luck to have finally decided what size alloy i want and now i need to figure out what style!!lol

If it were me fella i\'d stick to a decent make of 18" wheel if funds dont allow for a set of JDM lightweight 19"s.  You will get more looks i\'d of thought going for that combo :)

Keep an eye out for 2nd hand bargains like ive had to do.  No point having a lovely car like the RX7 and putting cheapo wheels on it.

Just my 2p :)

Chris

Give these guys a try

//www.ultralitewheels.com  

I have the 18\'s on mine, quite a few on here do.  I\'ve got no complaints.  Regularly track mine and dont feel any negative effects.  

Their speil says "specifically designed for Japanese performance cars"

Good prices too

these will handle great as very light weight, and will looks the dogs doodlies as they are 17, 18 or 19s but will cost you dearly but you would be pretty unique.
Carbon fiber wheels
http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/Dymag_Carbon_Fibre_Wheels.html

http://www.rotaryart.uk.com/acatalog/Dymag_Carbon_Fibre_Wheels_18.html

Those carbon fibre wheels are amazing, especially the performance benefits, but unfortunately out of my price range at the moment. Only had the car 2 weeks and i have been putting money into getting it up to scratch. Little things here and there but my wallet is taking a beating.
 
I have a budget of £1300 for wheels and tyres and need to stick to it religiously.
 
I like the look of some of the ultralite wheels, any idea what sort of price range they would be say 18x8.5 and 18x9.5?

Ultralight are brilliant because they\'re, well, light. As the late great Colin Chapman said; "add lightness". Unsprung weight (ie everything not supported by the suspension; brakes, tyres, wheels and linkages) has a far greater effect on handling than the sprung weight of the car (the body and all its contents). Can\'t remember the exact ratio but is something like every ounce you loose from the unsprung weight is worth five from the sprung weight.
Last thing you want to do is put heavy wheels on!
Rota Wheels from Rare Rims are very light and reasonably priced if you can\'t stretch to Ultralight or similar, perhaps they don\'t have the same kudos though.
Its always worth searching ebay and the like for secondhand wheels from other marques if you want to get more from your budget. So many Jap cars have the same 114x5 stud pattern, and so long as you keep an eye on offsets, you can get ridiculous bargains.
I got my Volk GTPs from a Supra owner on ebay for 180 quid cos they needed a refurb and he was obviously totally unaware what they were worth. With a refurb, they are perfect, unique with my own choice of colour, lighter even than standard RX wheels (which are pretty light to start with), and cost a good bit less than your £1300 budget including 265 and 235 Toyo T1Rs. I\'d call that a result!
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Thanks for all the comments guys.
 
Just got the car back from Clive last night after he lowered it using Tein springs, and it handles a lot better. The ride isnt as harsh as i thought it was going to be. But then again it is running the standard puny wheels.
 
In the meantime I have recieved a couple of quotes for the Ultralite wheels and they are cheaper than i thought. They fit my duget (albeit the top end) and now its a case of what style! Here is the choice.
 

Quote from: Nik da GreekUltralight are brilliant because they\'re, well, light.

Really? I thought they felt heavy compared to a set of Rota\'s I picked up.

I\'d be very interested to hear what they do actually weigh if any one has some scales.

Quote from: 20B_boyReally? I thought they felt heavy compared to a set of Rota\'s I picked up.
 
I\'d be very interested to hear what they do actually weigh if any one has some scales.

I think Rotas are at the extreme end of the weight scale, they really are good value for the quality you get. The Ultralights still tend to be a lot lighter than "fashion" wheels, though. You know the sort, with the "bolts" cast into the design then chromed over!
 
Tyres make a massive difference to the overall weight. Just try putting cheap Taiwanese bakelite-quality tyres on and watch the tyre fitter add a couple of kilos in balance weights to compensate for the rubbish moulding!

Quote from: Nik da GreekI got my Volk GTPs from a Supra owner on ebay for 180 quid cos they needed a refurb and he was obviously totally unaware what they were worth. With a refurb, they are perfect, unique with my own choice of colour, lighter even than standard RX wheels (which are pretty light to start with), and cost a good bit less than your £1300 budget including 265 and 235 Toyo T1Rs. I\'d call that a result!
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You swine! :spank
I\'ve got a pair of these in a hardcore FD fitment and need another pair to make a set - they are rare as hen\'s teeth, and when they do come up, they always seem to be the slightly newer design (different outer ring of the centre piece)
Sell me 2 of yours, i demand it! :D

Quote from: SiHYou swine! :spank
I\'ve got a pair of these in a hardcore FD fitment and need another pair to make a set - they are rare as hen\'s teeth, and when they do come up, they always seem to be the slightly newer design (different outer ring of the centre piece)
Sell me 2 of yours, i demand it! :D

Mate, after the utter ball-ache I had trying to find a firm that\'d refurbish split-rims, these will only leave my possession when I\'m dead! (and do go getting any ideas, cos I\'m not about to change my will, either :Giggle )
 
Just out of interest, did you need a pair of front, rear, or both on one side?:rollin
 
Seriously, though, I agree with you that the older design are nicer than the new, but I guess even Volks workers got fed up with torquing up thirty bolts per wheel! The new design only has half as many, and I guess it\'s easier for them to balance them, there\'s more adjustability.

I\'m currently refurbing them myself :)
No-one does split rims, and it\'s not too hard to get a reasonable finish DIY :) I\'ve just finished refurbing some 3 piece Racing Beat\'s for my other half\'s Eunos, and i\'m about to start on the GTP\'s :)
I split them, get the centres powder coated (about £20-£35 per centre), strip the lips and then go over them with four grades of wet and dry, then three stages of machine polish, then re-assemble and re-seal :) It\'s a bit of a ball ache, but the Volks are some of the easiest i\'ve done!
I\'m after a matching pair, as i\'ve got a pair of 17x9 et22\'s that I\'m going to make the car fit :D

[/Hijack], sorry guys :o