caymandive

iTrader: (2)

Anyone know if the supra 17" OEM rear wheels would fit the IS350? I'm looking for a relatively cheap way to get lighter weight wheels for drag racing this coming season. I know RO-RO has some 5zigen rims that he uses, not sure exactly what size he got, but he told me he is running Nitto drag radials that are 275/40/R17s. I think before I mess around and make my car louder that I'd just like to work on the traction a bit and see if I can better my times. I'd love to come in first place at least once this year in the street stock class, which consists of 4 and 6 cyl cars with no power adders. (ie nos, turbo, supercharger) I was beat out by 2 hondas last year both running consistent low 13's.

Here is a picture of RoRo's 5Zigen wheels and Nitto Drag radials. He said these tires/rims weigh 47 lbs, which saved him 8lbs per wheel compared to the stock 18's. I think I'd like to go with the same size tire but in BFGoodrich.

neova

I have a set of 17x8 +48 SSR Type C-RS wheels that weights 16lbs/wheel, but they're $399ea. A cheaper one would be the Kosei K1 TS 17x8 +35 that weights 15.5lbs/wheela and are only $239ea. There is also the Motegi Traklite 2.0 17x8 +45 weighing 14.6lbs/wheel @ $288ea.

If you need a wider rear wheel, say 9" wide to accomodate 255-wide plus tires then you'll need to go into more expensive wheels, methinks.

cheers

al503

The kosei seem to be the best for the $. My 18" volks with PS2's weigh about 43 lbs in the front and about 48 in the rear.

You should be able to find forged one-piece 17" wheels weighing around 14-15 lbs., but they're going to be in the $450-500/per range.

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

Not looking to spend that much money on wheels. Can anyone confirm if the Supra 17" MKIV TT wheels would work?

Gernby

iTrader: (1)

I would ask lobuxracer about the Supra wheels.

BTW, I was disappointed by the available tire sizes in 17". I couldn't find a wide enough 17" tire that was low enough profile. The 275/40-17 has an outer diameter that is .6" larger than the 255/35-18 I'm running now. I don't know if the reduction in weight would offset the increase in gearing enough to improve times.

I'm not certain about how well a Hoosier A6 would be as a drag tire due to the stiff side walls, but it is available in some great sizes for 18" wheels. They have a 245/35-18 that is 1.3" smaller in diameter than the 275/40-17 BFG, and weighs 5 lbs less. They also have a 275/35-18 that is .5" smaller in diameter than the 275/40-17, and weighs 3 lbs less.

My choice would be the Hoosier A6 245/35-18 since it would definitely grip much better than the OEM tire while also give a 6.5% reduction in gearing and 6 lbs reduction in weight (each). Also, the tread width on the 245/35 is the same as the 255/40.

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

I have a few supra buddies, so maybe I'll try to borrow a set of their rear wheels/tires and see how it goes.

AM1

iTrader: (6)

the volk TE37 is lightweight. i dont think the stock supra rims can fit a very wide tire.......i wonder if some of the 5 lug honda rims would fit....

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

With a nice sticky drag tire I don't think we need anything wider than a 255. How about the Nitto NT555R drag radials. 245/45/17. Slightly shorter gearing than stock by 1.3%, designed for drag, lighter weight. Just need to find a 17" wheel that would work best with it. The stock supra MKIV rear wheels are 9" wide. Lobuxracer you out there?

http://www.nittotire.com/#index%2Etire%2Ent555r

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

How about getting another pair of stock OEM 18" IS350 wheels and mounting some BFGoodrich g-Force™ T/A® Drag Radial's on. Yeah I know I could save a bit of weight and go with 17's but the traction advantage off the line would outweigh any weight differences IMHO.

I could then use: http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/overv...dial/1161.html

265/40/18
-1.2% shorter gearing than stock
-1lb lighter than stock Dunlops
-guaranteed not to lose any traction off the line.

245/40/18
-1.2% shorter gearing than stock
-3lb's lighter than the stock Dunlops
-potential to lose a bit of traction, but i'm guessing it wouldn't

Gernby

iTrader: (1)

Using the diameters on Tirerack.com, the 245/40-18s would give a 1.9% gearing reduction, and the 265/40-18 would give a 0.3% gearing increase. I think either would be decent options though. I think you would just need to make your decision based on how grippy your track is. The one I just went to was AMAZING, so I'm more interested in the weight and gearing.

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

Well I've decided to go with 2 18" OEM IS350 wheels. I just purchased some from mofogasm in the classified section. Still not sure what drag tire I'll go with, but the BFG 265/40/18 seems like the best bet for me. I want the car to look stock and have all the traction I could ask for off the line. Believe it or not even if we think we are making good traction with street tires there is still some slippage going on unfortunately and I believe this drag setup should be good for at least 2/10ths. I'll start there and see how it goes. Maybe I'll eventually break down and pull the rear cats and put on the Tanabe.

PS what will happen if I don't install the TPMS sensors in these wheels?

Gernby

iTrader: (1)

I guess I'm going to have to put on my "A" game then! Honestly though, I think the 245/40-18 is the better choice unless you plan to do significant power mods soon. I think some slippage is better than no slippage, and reducing the gearing is definitely better than increasing it.

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

Gernby, are you using a tire size calculator like this one? http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

According to that, the 265 will be 1.2% increase in gearing and the 245 will be 1.2% reduced gearing. My goal for the year is to win a stock street class event. Can't let the Honda's beat me again! Those guys are stripped out, modded to hell, with slicks and they dump the clutch at the line for some crazy 60'ft times, but my trap speed was usually faster than theirs so the key for me is in the launch.

I think you are right in that the 245 just may be the best way to go if I don't plan on adding any significant power.

Gernby

iTrader: (1)

The problem with tire size calculators is that tire manufacturers are all different in the way they size them. If you look at every manufacturer's diameter and width spec for a given size tire, they will all differ. That is why I just go to TireRack to see what the actual specs are. The OEM rear Dunlops are 26.1" in diameter. Compare that to the specs for the BFGs you are looking at. The 265/40-18 is 26.2" in diameter

On another note ... after a beer or ten, I went ahead and ordered a pair of Hoosier R6 245/35-18s for my OEM wheels that are in my attic. They aren't "drag radials", but I expect them to kick ANY street tire's *** on the drag strip. I'll order a pair of 225/40-18s to go with them when I can sign up for a track event. WOO HOO!

Gernby

iTrader: (1)

Here's a pic of the R6 ... mmmmmm .... sexy ...