SolAssassin

I have two sets of wheels sitting in my basement... some '93 Integra wheels (the "6-star" kind you would find on a GS model) and some VX wheels. Now, the VX wheels are lighter hands-down but they are also 13 inch wheels. I don't plan on converting the drums on my hatch, so I will always be able to fit 13s... the question remains though: Are the sidewalls going to be so dramatically taller that they would negate the difference in weight in hard corners? Anyone have experience with both size wheels?

And no, I am not going to "buy new wheels" so please don't say it!

Atmosfear

iTrader: (18)

What do you plan to do with the car? Ive never seen a hatch on a racetrack with 13's (but thats not to say it shouldnt be) but theres LOTS of autocrossers running 13's, but they are typically much wider than the VX wheels, what are they like 13x5 or something?

Again, it all depends on your intentions for the car, classing, etc.

90_EX_Civic

what he said.

now if you're not going to buy new wheels, use the da. you can put 195/60 tires on there. the 13's, think the shortest side wall is a 65(?) and widest is 185(?). a little iffy because you have to worry about your sidewalls rolling over.

SolAssassin

my intentions are to run in f prepared class. i also plan on running some circuit tracks as well. of course, i want to win, not just compete. it is true, the vx wheels are pretty narrow. what do you guys think?

90 ex, maybe you're right. i am terrified of the sidewalls rolling over. that would put an abrupt end to my hopes of being competitive next season

90_EX_Civic

gotta pay to win. you're going to need new rims. if you're thinking about doing some track time also, i'd suggest something like a 15x8 rim, and depending on how competitive your opponents are, you're going to need to be running r-comps. looking like (off the top of my head) 225/45/15 a6/kumho's.

Lo-Buck EF

Yea. Stock wheels aren't gonna cut it. Unless u are limited to wheel with, buy wheels or get rolled by someone that did.
Ive tried the stock wheel bit and its just not compettitive. Sorry to burst your bubble.

SolAssassin

what are you guys using? and where did you get them?

solo-x

Lets slow down a bit. If this car is going to be used in Solo competition, and truly be built for a "prepared" class, than if it is legal to run in Limited Prep GP the 13x5's might be the "ideal" wheel. This is because some cars are limited to a 5" wide wheel and there are some cantilever slicks out there that would fit. So, we have to go back to the basics. What car, and what class/club do you plan to compete with?

Also, there isn't crap out there for max performance street tires in 13" sizes. There are some r-compound tires from Hoosier and Kumho that could be used though. Hoosier has a 185/60/13 IIRC, in addition to the cantilever tire I already mentioned. A 5" wheel really limits your options though.

SolAssassin

The group I run with has no restrictions on wheel/tire combinations. Not even in stock class, as long as the tires are contained within the fender without modifications. I'm probably not even going to go with DOT tires. The DA wheels are A LITTLE on the heavy side... they're not too bad and they look like 6" width. I will have to re-check tonight. The wheels are #2 in this pic (bottom right):

SolAssassin

looks like they are 14x5.5 and weigh 15.5 lbs from what i have read

Stinkycheezmonky

To give us a better understanding of your situation, what is the organization you're running with? I'd assume this is a regional competition you're talking about wanting to win as well.

The Destroyer

I imagine this is on a stock engined sol?

If you want to be competitive, I imagine you want the shortest tire to make up for power/gearing. Also track tires =/= autocross tires, pick what type of racing you want to do and then pick the appropriate tire.

Id go with the vx's and get the stickiest and shortest tire you could fit on them if this is for colo competition.

Atmosfear

iTrader: (18)

If you have no wheel/tire limitations I dont know why you are considering these as an option. You can get a set of 15x8 949 Racing 6UL's (I just oredered a set) or 15x8 Rota's for not too much money.

Also, a true VX wheel is a 13" wheel, and they are pretty hard to find. An HX wheel is what I think you are referring to as they are 14" and look identical to a VX wheel. The VX wheel is also lighter than 15 lbs.

The Destroyer

Also he seems to be set on keeping the wheels, not sure why but he is.

SolAssassin

a couple of you guys are way off here... the dimensions of 14x5.5 are the DA integra wheels (NOT the VX wheels)
i've pretty much said no to the VX wheels, they are 13x5 and would not even fit the del sol you see in my avatar because its an Si model (4 wheel disc brakes). this is NOT the car i am autocrossing with (not anymore). i retired it years ago after i did my h22a swap.

the car i'm using is an EF hatch (also swapped but with something i've put together). i didn't think the DA wheels would be bad but a lot of you guys seem to think i should go with a 7 or 8 inch wheel. I think the 8 inch is a little bit too wide... i think i would definitely consider 15x7's

so the vx wheels are definitely out... i will probably off those to a friend

for those who are asking, this is mainly for autocross in Prepared class

90_EX_Civic

swapped engine???

and you said you wanted to run FP?

hold on..... you might want to look up the rule book again. 88-91 civic's run in EP.

like stated in my first question, engine swap, did you accommodate the fact that you might be weight penalized for the increase in displacement?

looking at the rules again... you get weight penalized for running a rim wider then 7"....

and dude.... that engine swap, yeah, hope you put in a d16a6, because a b16 or anything bigger(b series, h series, k series) is(if i read it right) illegal in Prepared.


have you looked at the rule book yet?

tell us exactly what you have done to the car. this will help us, to help you.

Atmosfear

iTrader: (18)

What he said! Also I apologize for the VX-DA wheel confusion, and when you say DA are you referring to a 1st gen (86-89) Integra because those are the only Tegs I know of with OE 14" wheels, I currently own a 87' (14" wheels) and used to have a 91' (15x6) wheels. Ive never seen a 90-93 Integra (what most people call a DA) with 14" wheels.

I know Im not helping, just trying to make sure you know what you are looking at.

Lo-Buck EF

From his location I think he runs with CART (a sportscar group in ct). They have some of their own hokey rules but are nice people. I havent looked through their rules but I wouldnt doubt he can run a mod class with a swap up with that club.

As for wheels, 949 are nice. U can get them from philstireservice.com and probably pick them up. Those u can get in a wide range of widths. Rotas are always an option. They do make 8" slipstreams.

Stinkycheezmonky

You're being way too vague and not answering any of the important questions directly asked of you. I'm done with this BS.

Lo-Buck EF

Lock it up cheese!

solo-x

Why not use the 15x7 Rota's you have for sale?

90_EX_Civic

lol

mc-integra111

They definitely exist. My 1990 Integra (DA) had 14x5.5" steel wheels fitted as stock (used them as rains for a while before I sold them).

SolAssassin

You mean the ones that weigh 19 lbs? No thanks. Those are straight up bling wheels anyways.

Yes, I run with CART but I have been away from the scene for a few years, they have a little bit of leniency on the rules. Again, I have said that I will not be going with anything wider than 7" if I absolutely must buy new wheels

there are no weight penalties here... maybe in SCCA rules but definitely not here, and as far as b series engines go they are fine because they were original equipment in those models... maybe not MY model but if there was a model that had that engine in those years then it's fine. and its not just cart that allows this... just about every club in southeast CT allows b swapped EFs and EGs without being put into a higher class, they are looking at who has too large of a displacement and who has a turbocharger.

SolAssassin

Getting back on topic here...

Ok... the DA wheels weigh 15.5 and some of the wheels I was checking out last night weighed in the 11-13 lb range. Granted, they are also 1.5 inches wider than what I have but I'm still trying to decide if they will have major impact on my lap times. You guys all know what I'm running with now but still it's kind of a moot point because it really doesn't matter. What are you guys using on your setups?