Badger Bill Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Saw this on another site, anyone want to offer an opinion as to how it might effect the handling? http://www8.wind.ne.jp/firestater/071102_5.jpg http://www8.wind.ne.jp/firestater/071102_6.jpg BB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Golf Juliet Tango Posted August 5, 2011 Area Representative Share Posted August 5, 2011 I can't comment on those cars but I run Weller steels on GJT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECR Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Any changess in offset (ET) will affect the handling in exactly the same way as if they were alloy wheels of the same dimensions. The only other change is that the unsprung weight is likely to be greater (steel wheels are usualy heavier than alloy) In reality I doubt that you would notice too much difference in this area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mankee Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Man, check the stretch on them! Very Euro. Peugeot/Citroens have the same PCD as Ford, but the centre bore might be different and also the offset. But there's some C5s out there with "steel" wheels in 15" x 6J which weigh 4.8kgs a corner. I know they aren't as light as Barnbys, but you don't tend to find them in scrap yards... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exmog Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Standard 'Lotus steels' 5.1/2"x13" are lighter than Most alloy wheels, Only alloys I know of that are lighter are original late 60's early 70's magnesium Minilights, which is why the Ford 'works' Mk1 & 2 Escorts used them on their rally cars. Now as rare as hen teeth, even well used standard 'Lotus steels' sell for several hundred quid a set, that is if you can find a set fior sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bstark Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Pretty certain the Weller steels I use on the track are lighter than the 80's-fit 6 spoke alloys I use on the road. The handling is better on the steels in my case as I use lower profile 60 section R888's on them as opposed to 70 section AO21Rs for the road. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative paul richards Posted August 5, 2011 Area Representative Share Posted August 5, 2011 Nothing wrong with steel wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6speedmanual Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Those C5 "steelies" are much sought after, both by Pug 306 GTI/Rallye owners and by the scrap yards who want them weighed in. Because they are actually alloy. Reflecting points above, some steels are relatively light compared to clunky marketing demanded alloys on road cars. Most alloys on Caterhams are genuinely light (but not all - eg prisoner rim ! ) so probably very close to Lotus Cortina light racing steelies. One reason for popularity of steelie is they havw a certain cool about their wide rim look. P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger King Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Leaving aside the fact that steel wheels are most definitely "alloy" every bit as much as aluminium wheels are, my Renault has a steel spare which is significantly lighter than the aluminium ones fitted to the other four corners. In my experience this is the case with the majority of road car aluminium wheels. I'd go so far as to say that aluminium wheels on road cars are almost entirely about the 'bling' factor and nothing else. This is not to say that a purpose made competition wheel is the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molecular--Bob Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Am i alone in really liking those wheels. Are they wellers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bstark Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 Not alone - think the whole car looks great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billyboy Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 Wrong size tyres on rubbish wheels............well you asked 😬 - Nice set of MB's would look v nice on that car that otherwise is turned out extreamly well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 The physics says a good set of standard diameter steel wheels should be better than cheap (heavy) low-profile alloys as latter has far more power-sapping rotational interia. This is the same reason we lighten our flywheels and take most the mass from the outside. All these monster alloys on the boy racer mobiles actually slow the car down as rotational inertia is much more than the original equipment. Of course you may get a stiffer sidewall on a low-profile tyre (and reduced comfort, probably worse grip too from the cheap compounds they fit). At the weight of a Caterham low profiles are of dubious benefit, hence many run 13" wheels. And for cheaper fun on a track day steel should be ideal. Try explaining that to Zitface McHeadbanger in his 1000cc puke green Nova with sewerpipe exhaust and 3000 watt hifi... 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan and Daisy Posted August 7, 2011 Share Posted August 7, 2011 I am thinking of putting my worn 888 (14") onto steel rims for the next track day I do, any recommendations as to which wheel I should look for in a scrap yard. Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exmog Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Alan & daisy For 14" rims I'd get Sierra steels, if possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan and Daisy Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Thanks Exmog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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