ESP - The competition

[mccanixx]

Are common body kits allowed in *SP? Front/rear bumper covers? Or, are they explicitly exculded?

Looked but couldn't tell....

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[bradowen]

Originally Posted by mccanixx

Are common body kits allowed in *SP? Front/rear bumper covers? Or, are they explicitly exculded?

Looked but couldn't tell....

Nope, how do you do you write a rule that prevents someone from using a piece of duct tape as a bumper cover? Also effects spliter/spoiler sizing.

Doesn't mean you have to by a stock one though to replace a broken one. Certifit (Sortifit?) are legit under alternate part rule.

[CamaroFS34]

Originally Posted by bradowen

Nope, how do you do you write a rule that prevents someone from using a piece of duct tape as a bumper cover? Also effects spliter/spoiler sizing.

Doesn't mean you have to by a stock one though to replace a broken one. Certifit (Sortifit?) are legit under alternate part rule.

What about an STi bumper cover to replace a WRX one?

[mccanixx]

Originally Posted by CamaroFS34

What about an STi bumper cover to replace a WRX one?

Cars aren't on the same line?

[bradowen]

Originally Posted by mccanixx

Cars aren't on the same line?

Not yet

[mccanixx]

Originally Posted by bradowen

Not yet

haha. The more I think about it the more I think I may want their hubs. For access to cheaper/better wheels.

[bradowen]

Originally Posted by mccanixx

haha. The more I think about it the more I think I may want their hubs. For access to cheaper/better wheels.

That is exactly what I was thinking. Except of course I broke down and bought a second set of 5x100's in august. The FRZ/BRS has been a boon to the 5x100 market.

[mccanixx]

Originally Posted by bradowen

That is exactly what I was thinking. Except of course I broke down and bought a second set of 5x100's in august. The FRZ/BRS has been a boon to the 5x100 market.

Agree on the frs/brz as rays now has some selection but the offset is less (or more haha) than I would desire..you would be hard pressed to beat their 15lbs 18x10.5 te37's

[bradowen]

Originally Posted by mccanixx

Agree on the frs/brz as rays now has some selection but the offset is less (or more haha) than I would desire..you would be hard pressed to beat their 15lbs 18x10.5 te37's

Uhhh, depends on your priorities. Now with 3 sets of wheels I have not spent enough to buy even one set of those...

18x11 +20 offset for $640 shipped is hard to beat even though it is 10lbs more than the rays. May or may not have to run a spacer.

[mccanixx]

Originally Posted by bradowen

Uhhh, depends on your priorities. Now with 3 sets of wheels I have not spent enough to buy even one set of those...

18x11 +20 offset for $640 shipped is hard to beat even though it is 10lbs more than the rays. May or may not have to run a spacer.

These?

http://www.frsport.com/XXR-531-Reaxi...L_p_59557.html

[bradowen]

Originally Posted by mccanixx

These?

http://www.frsport.com/XXR-531-Reaxi...L_p_59557.html

Yes sir.

[Hold_Fast]

Anyone condsider custom made Forgestar's? Not sure what the price would be, but it's another alternative to the XXR's, which are really tempting for the price.

[mccanixx]

If I remember correctly custom forgestars where more than custom punched volks. That was around 2009 so, it may have changed.

For cheap, yep, do the xxr's

[subydude]

Originally Posted by Hold_Fast

Anyone condsider custom made Forgestar's? Not sure what the price would be, but it's another alternative to the XXR's, which are really tempting for the price.

I've looked them up, but never asked pricing.

Originally Posted by mccanixx

If I remember correctly custom forgestars where more than custom punched volks. That was around 2009 so, it may have changed.

For cheap, yep, do the xxr's

Several other options:

1. I've talked to a local Enkei dealer and they said if you got enough people to purchase 10 sets you could get the RPF1 in 18x11 +22 made.

2. I forget if it was REAL or Bogart that said they're going to be making some aluminum 18" centers in 2013. I called in late 2012 about it but haven't followed up. Still, while expensive, they are pretty light and would offer the option of swapping shells to change sizes as needed.

Outside of those two, I pretty much didn't see an option for under $2k and light weight. I also doubt those XXR's are sub 25lbs. I've got some 17x8.25 XXR 530's that weigh 24 lbs each. My 18x10 Rota's weigh 24.5 lbs each for reference. Outside of Enkei, aluminum, or Volk I don't see an 18x11 being sub 25 lbs. And even if you went with one of those I still think it'll be close to 20.

All that being said, when it comes time for some 11's I'll probably cheap out and get the heavier set simply because there's a lot of other places I can spend the $$$ and see a better return.

[mccanixx]

I worry about potential damage to aluminum hoops. Don't know if that fear is warranted or not.

[subydude]

Originally Posted by mccanixx

I worry about potential damage to aluminum hoops. Don't know if that fear is warranted or not.

A lot of other cars use them for autox, but going through my memory, they're all lighter cars. Still, I wouldn't worry much. The Rabbit I drove has had those aluminum wheels on it for over 10 years and they're still in pretty good shape.

[mccanixx]

Originally Posted by subydude

A lot of other cars use them for autox, but going through my memory, they're all lighter cars. Still, I wouldn't worry much. The Rabbit I drove has had those aluminum wheels on it for over 10 years and they're still in pretty good shape.

I know. Seems like it would be easier do distort an 18" mounting/dismounting is all.

[subydude]

Originally Posted by mccanixx

I know. Seems like it would be easier do distort an 18" mounting/dismounting is all.

That I don't doubt at all. However, I do all my own mounting/dismounting and take my time, use rags, use a rubber mounting head, and am liberal with the lube.

Wait...what are we talking about again?

Actually, in my tire mounting experience, Hoosiers are some of the easiest tires to mount. I could do a set of 315's onto some 18x8's in under 30 minutes. Putting a 295 onto my 18x10 for test fitting was about 2 minutes and that was still taking it very easy. I imagine that using aluminum wheels would just require more patience and being a little easier with the tools.

[mccanixx]

I just had a thought. Give me your car!!

[subydude]

Originally Posted by mccanixx

I just had a thought. Give me your car!!

You wouldn't want it, it's got a heavy 6-speed in it

Actually, I don't even have it right now. The engine started but the shop ran into an ECU problem when they started tuning. It's at a local shop right now while they sort some wiring for a Haltech. Was going to pick it up today, but got a call yesterday saying the harness pinning wasn't correct. Now I'm just sitting and waiting, looking at the stack of test tires in the garage in a longing fashion.

I'll admit I have been eyeing the Haltech antilag option as well

[bradowen]

Don't forget CCW. I still like my wheels. And those the wheels I'll plan on having on for big events. The xxr will be more for local events. Having one set of wheels has sucked for trying to be on fresh tires for big events. Now with 2 drivers it is almost impossible.

Bogart is local and last I heard they had just stepped up to 17 wheels. Have not heard about 18s. Last news I had was a few months ago. Might have changed.

I confirmed the XXRs are 25lbs. So same as my 18x10 rotas rain wheels and 5lbs more that the 17x12 CCWs. Should be fine for local events.

As for mounting I have not had a problem on the CCWs. Few things that make a difference is the right sized wheel for the right sized tire. I would be concerned about bending in stock classes. I could see bending a wheel when you are trying to put a 285 on a 8 inch wheel.

Make sure the shop is good. That means you are going to pay. I go to either goodyear racing or the goodyear in the very nice part of town where they have to mount run flat corvette tires. I've also used places that sell blingy 24 inch wheels when I worked in a different part of town. They know what they are doing and have decent equipment. The used tire shops down where I live don't get to touch the 3 piece wheels. I will use them for the rotas and probably the xxrs through.

[subydude]

Originally Posted by bradowen

Don't forget CCW. I still like my wheels. And those the wheels I'll plan on having on for big events. The xxr will be more for local events. Having one set of wheels has sucked for trying to be on fresh tires for big events. Now with 2 drivers it is almost impossible.

Bogart is local and last I heard they had just stepped up to 17 wheels. Have not heard about 18s. Last news I had was a few months ago. Might have changed.

I confirmed the XXRs are 25lbs. So same as my 18x10 rotas rain wheels and 5lbs more that the 17x12 CCWs. Should be fine for local events.

As for mounting I have not had a problem on the CCWs. Few things that make a difference is the right sized wheel for the right sized tire. I would be concerned about bending in stock classes. I could see bending a wheel when you are trying to put a 285 on a 8 inch wheel.

Make sure the shop is good. That means you are going to pay. I go to either goodyear racing or the goodyear in the very nice part of town where they have to mount run flat corvette tires. I've also used places that sell blingy 24 inch wheels when I worked in a different part of town. They know what they are doing and have decent equipment. The used tire shops down where I live don't get to touch the 3 piece wheels. I will use them for the rotas and probably the xxrs through.

The CCW's were 22-23 lbs for an 18x11 last I checked based on offset. A local with a 300ZX in SSM has them at all 4 corners and the fronts were 22.5ish while the rears were a little heavier due to a different pad thickness for offset. For the price, I'd just go to the Volk and skip CCW. Personal preference and all

I called both Real and Bogart, so it could have been Real. Not that it matters since it was in 2012, and everyone I've talked to outside of those companies about the 18's basically said "don't hold your breath".

Good to know on the XXR's. I'll probably use them when it comes time to test on my car. How's the brake clearance?

For tire mounting, once you do the math a used machine will pay for itself in 2-3 years depending on how often you mount/flip tires. I have a deal with a local race shop where I give them beer and they harass me while I mount tires so that economy generally works for me

[RichSJones]

I have the 1-pc CCW SP16Rs in 18x11 w/ 7" backspacing and they're about 23.5lb... A bit heavy. I actually dropped down to an 18x10.5 +30 Enkei NT03, which are somewhere around 20lb each.

I also agree that a tire machine is a great investment. Think about how often you mount tires x roughly $50-80 each time. I bought a used one with some friends (each putting in about $150), and I've paid for it more than triple over the past couple years.

[gixxer7fiddy]

Don't forget about the new Enkei RS05RR. 18x11 +16 @21.9 pounds. I see evasive has them at 594 a wheel. I'm sure they can be had for cheaper than that.

[Hold_Fast]

Originally Posted by RichSJones

I actually dropped down to an 18x10.5 +30 Enkei NT03, which are somewhere around 20lb each.

Originally Posted by gixxer7fiddy

Don't forget about the new Enkei RS05RR. 18x11 +16 @21.9 pounds. I see evasive has them at 594 a wheel. I'm sure they can be had for cheaper than that.

I don't think either of these come in 5x100. WRX problems. Maybe we can get an ESP group buy together? I know a guy local to me who would gladly put the order in and cut us a good deal (I bought 18x9.5 PF01's off him for waaaay cheaper than Tire Rack). EDIT: and he is a vendor on here.

Also, this is pretty high on my "what am I getting myself for christmas?" list.

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/At...9-Tire-Changer