Smaller wheel options

forcedboost

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:
2003 MSP
Hey folks, It seems when it comes to wheel choices most people stay at 17 or go to 18s. Im considering downsizing to 16's or even 15's if possible. I want to setup mostly for drag/autocross and I feel the decreased unsprung weight would be beneficial. Im considering the rota slipstream in black for my spicy. Any one have any experience downsizing? I looked at the slipstream specs and it says they have a 15x7 +40, and in the 16x7 they have both +40 and +45. Thanks!
 
Well when I used to have my Civic, I went from 21 pounds per wheel to 13 pounds and I'll tell you it made a huge difference on the whole way the car drove. Braking and Accelerating was much better.
 
Andrewsmc said:
decreasing weight... 3-5lbs a wheel(if that)?? not much gain i can see.. only loss

Im not positive but I would guess that the stock racing harts weigh around 22-23 lbs. A 16 inch rota slipstream weighs in at 13.5 lbs. almost 10 lbs less weight per wheel. So imagine 40 lbs saved on wheel weight alone. Not to mention the effect on the rotational inertia of the wheel. In my opinion the gains would be well worth the trouble.
 
I should have pictures up in a day or so of my Kosei K1's...15X7 +38. They are around 13.5 I believe, but they are white. If anyone is interested keep checking the FS forums over the next few days. I've got to get my Hoosiers taken off so I can get good pictures.

The performance gains for any car by dropping the wheel weight is huge. Especially with the weight of some stock wheels. Dropping down to a 15" rim also helps the gearing for acceleration. Rotational inertia is a big deal and every pound saved makes a difference. Why do you think most competitive autoX drivers spend upwards of $400 per wheel just for little 13" rims.
 
xelderx said:
I should have pictures up in a day or so of my Kosei K1's...15X7 +38.

Have you experienced any issues running a +38? How about brake clearance? Im assuming p5 uses similar brake setup but im not really sure.
 
it's rotating mass.. and the more you have the more HP you lose..

like removing the balancer shafts on a eagle talon engine.

removing them has a 7- 10 hp i believe.

Fr0st
 
forcedboost said:
Have you experienced any issues running a +38? How about brake clearance? Im assuming p5 uses similar brake setup but im not really sure.

Depends on your suspension. Are you planning on using these for daily or just weekend fun?
 
xelderx said:
Depends on your suspension. Are you planning on using these for daily or just weekend fun?
Weekend fun. My MSP is a garage baby. It sees maybe 1 tank of fuel per month. Right now im riding on stock tokico shocks with eibach pro-kits.
 
I'm pretty confident that they wouldn't rub under 90% of driving situations. The problem with them is the offset. They will stick out in the back. There isn't any way around it. For racing, which is all I used them for, a few millimeters sticking outside of the fenders sin't a big deal. For street driving it can look a little wierd. The Hoosiers in the picture below are 225/45-15. They are noticably wider than a 225 street tire.
 

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Rota Slipstreams are nice. But if you could afford the real thing (Spoon SW388's / Regamaster Evo's), go for it. They are slightly lighter, and are forged rather than cast.

With that said, I rock the Slips on my S, and I love them. You can also get the them in 16x8 with a +40 offset.
 
Scott said:
Rota Slipstreams are nice. But if you could afford the real thing (Spoon SW388's / Regamaster Evo's), go for it. They are slightly lighter, and are forged rather than cast.

With that said, I rock the Slips on my S, and I love them. You can also get the them in 16x8 with a +40 offset.

Haha I would love to get some authentic spoons but they are a little out of my budget. And if I was going to spend good money on wheels I would probably pop for either te37's or the work emo cr's. But I just looked up the specs for the spoons and they are super light. 8.5 lbs for the 15's and 12 lbs for the 16! For the price of spoons I can do slips with tires for less than half the price.
 
I know what you mean. I get s*** from S2k owners for rocking Rotas. I tell them as soon as they are willing to buy me a set of genuine Spoons, I'll be willing to put them on.
 
forcedboost said:
Hey anyone know if the 16x7 slipstreams would be better suited to the msp in +40 or +45 offset?


Id say +45 offset to be safe.

What is the lowest offset a 15" wheel can be for the msp?
 
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