Affordable, light weight 16s or 17s

[MrPikolo]

I'm not sure if I just suck at searching or there isn't really anything out there, but I couldn't find anything on light weight racing rims that are for a decent price.

Of course I belive you pay for what you get, but I am having a hard time grasping $500 a rim. I mostly was lookng for a light 17x8/7.5 or a 16x8. As well as a place to buy them.

Thanks in advance.

 

[SBstar]

SSR Competition's are good, but they cost 400 a rim, but hey its a little less.

 

[dnhieu]

3rd gen rx7 rims.

 

[pneumo]

How light? How cheap? Rota Slipstream and Rota Subzero will save several pounds per wheel and they're affordable.

 

[flinguist]

Here's a list of wheels by weight. Pick some out, and see how much they are.
This article has some good info. too. Personally, I like some of the Centerline wheels, they're light, and not too expensive ( 200 a wheel).

 

[unlmtdndeavor]

How light? How cheap? Rota Slipstream and Rota Subzero will save several pounds per wheel and they're affordable.

rotas are about as cheap as you will get.

 

[92awddsm]

I got my rota sub zeros here for $520 shipped for 17"x7.5". Everything I have seen about them says they are 16.9 lbs each. Shipping weight on all 4 wheels when I got them was 66lbs. I never had a chance to weigh them myself but I am happy with them.

 

[SBstar]

Another cheap one is RX7 rims, I can't remember which generation but they're 16x8 and under 15 lbs a piece. If you can find them they would be pretty cheap. Do a search on here or dsmtalk to see exact weights and generation you'll want.
EDIT: You'll need wheel spacers or at least you'll have to do some grinding to make them fit. Here are the spacers
http://www.optionsauto.com/products.asp?dept=416
And a good thread showing some pics.
http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200745&highlight=rx7+rims

 

[Zero Bar]

Kosei K-1's are light and inexpensive. I bought 300zx wheels for $100, they're wider and seem lighter than the stockers, though I can't say that for sure. You need the acorn style lug nuts of you were to get the 300zx wheels as ours will not work with them.

 

[Dream On]

I'll have to second whoever mentioned Rota Slipstreams. Really light, cheap, and they look good. They're what I'll be going with once I get around to suspension related stuff.

 

[D_Eclipse9916]

Rotas are cheap but bend easily. Trust me, I know . I use 5zigen FNO1RCs, they are 17 pounds in 17-inch size. They are made to be very strong. At one of my track days My wheels had gotten so hot on my 3000gt wheels that the plastic center caps literally melted and fell out while I was driving. The rotas will heat up and bend more than the 5zigens from my experience. Ive hit some nasty potholes on regular roads that I would have probably bent with the rotas.

 

[kahl23]

Kosei is always a safe bet. If your willing to shell out a bit more, the SSR Competitions are hands down the way to go. As for a shop, I'd reccomend Tire Rack. They constantly beat the prices of local shops, at least the shops here in Massachusetts.

 

[92awddsm]

Rotas are cheap but bend easily. Trust me, I know . I use 5zigen FNO1RCs, they are 17 pounds in 17-inch size. They are made to be very strong. At one of my track days My wheels had gotten so hot on my 3000gt wheels that the plastic center caps literally melted and fell out while I was driving. The rotas will heat up and bend more than the 5zigens from my experience. Ive hit some nasty potholes on regular roads that I would have probably bent with the rotas.

In order to have lighter wheels, they are made thinner. This in turn makes the strength less than the average wheel. You generally have to sacrifice one for the other. You arent going to find a lightweight wheel that will stand up to the torture of some of the road conditions.

On a side note, I have driven my car all over and hit some very rough roads(Northern VA and DC) without bending any of my Rotas. I also run 235-40-17's so I have a fair amount of sidewall to take the blunt of the impacts.

 

[SBstar]

Thats why you get forged rims, for strength and lightweight. Of course they're not going to be perfect, but honestly cheap and quality don't go together in the car world very often. I still recommend something like the SSR competitions. But there are other routes to go for cheaper that are at least decent.

 

[DSMSpyder99]

EVO 8 rims check your local EVO board! I know ppl on SoCALevo.net sell theres for about $400 for all 4 w/o rubber

 

[D_Eclipse9916]

In order to have lighter wheels, they are made thinner. This in turn makes the strength less than the average wheel. You generally have to sacrifice one for the other. You arent going to find a lightweight wheel that will stand up to the torture of some of the road conditions.

On a side note, I have driven my car all over and hit some very rough roads(Northern VA and DC) without bending any of my Rotas. I also run 235-40-17's so I have a fair amount of sidewall to take the blunt of the impacts.

Different materials, forging and the way they are built are the differences. some very rough roads? I LIVE in northern virginia and I go into DC all the time. I am not saying they arent some nice cheap wheels, but you may end up replacing them faster than say a higher quality wheel. Running a wider tire (meaning usually the sidewall is also bigger) is much better.

 

[InvaderGSX]

CENTERLINE RPM's are the best for dsm's! 17" rim at 13 pounds and 18's at 15 pounds. Forged one piece and they look sweet. Most really light weight wheels are ugly. Not these. After I got them, everyone else in my town did because there's really nothing in comparison. Having a nice look and performance all in one shot. Only bad thing is they no longer make silver or gun metal anymore. THey only make a high polish and a chrome. I was lucky enough to get the Gunmetals when they first came out with them

 

[GSTealth]

I got lucky and got my SSR's (16x7.5) for $259 closeout from the well-known wheel/tire website. They dont have that seem to have that size anymore. I see the same size for $330 (17's for $370) off a certain miata site...(name not posted due to vendor listing policy - try searching the web)