After talking with several DSP autoXers I'm on the hunt for a good place to buy some 13x8.5 panasports. If anyone is selling or knows someone who's selling a used set or knows of a good deal on them, please let me know.


[Modified by Geratol, 12:03 AM 1/16/2002]

 

Here's one: http://kspeed.com/id17.htm

 

cheaper and just as good...........
http://www.diamondracingwheels.com/D...tockSeries.htm

 

Correct me if my wrong, but the Diamond wheels are NOT hubcentric and to make matters worse the center hole is not even centered. And I think the Panasports are available hubcentric for Honda apps. If not, i'm pretty sure you can get hub-ring adapaters to make them so...


Personally, i'm a firm believer in hubcentric wheels, especially after witnessing a stud-failure on a car just a few feet ahead of me. Luckily for him (and me) it happened on the slowest section of the track. The car had lugcentric wheels... It now has hubcentric rims... FWIW...


Now, for autocross lugcentric wheels maybe ok since the loads are only experienced for short periods of time. But for open-tracking where you run hard for 20-30min at a time, they're a no-no, IMO...

 

How does a lug-centric wheel mount differently than a hubcentric wheel?

Thanks

-Ryan

 

Rota has a new 13x8 Panasport knockoff, but I can't find their web address.

Also check out http://www.ttrsracing.com/revorfx.htm

 

From tirerack.com:

"The centerbore of a wheel is the size of the machined hole on the back of the wheel that centers the wheel properly on the hub of the car. This hole is machined to exactly match the hub so the wheels are precisely positioned, minimizing the chance of a vibration. With a hubcentric wheel, the lug hardware will not be supporting the weight of the vehicle, all they really do is press the wheel against the hub of the car. Some wheels use high quality, forged centering rings that lock into place in the back of the wheel. This is acceptable alternative."

The lug studs are NOT designed to support the weight of the vehicle, that's what the hubs are designed to do. And a non hubcentric wheel will do just that, ie: force the lug hardware to support the weight of the vehicle and eventually, the studs will fail.

 

konig hubcentric rims are plastic

 

You mean these: http://www.rotawheels.com/rb.htm right? too bad they arent sold in 13x7 (spec rx7....)

-Ryan

 

I know I've posted this before, but another option is a small company in Portland Oregon called Willamette Custom Wheel. They use OE Honda centers welded to their lightweight outer rim. I've bought 10 wheels from them so far with no complaints. No web site, but you can call them at 503-232-8141. They're $52 per wheel, weigh about 10 lbs, but they don't do half sizes. You'd have to either get 8" or 9" widths.



[Modified by johng, 8:59 AM 1/16/2002]

 

Type-RJ, yeah I'd buy a set, too, if they were 13x7s.

johng, those sound really cool. We're talkin steelies, right?

 

I remember reading a post about those a long time ago but I just couldn't remember who posted it. I think I'll give them a call tonight.

$52... drool

If I'm not mistaken you (or someone else) posted pictures of the rims and they were black in color?


[Modified by Geratol, 9:06 AM 1/16/2002]

 

Yes.

 

I guess i should call them and ask.... but....

do they do 13x7 wheels?

 

Yes. Just about anything you want. Don't worry, I'm not on the payroll or anything. I have a set of 13x7 road race wheels (a bit heavier), and six 13x8 autocross wheels (the light ones).

By the way, they know Honda wheels, but they'll ask you what backspace you want. Mine are 5" backspace for a '93 Civic. Not sure what the Integra should be, but I'd make a guess that it's very similar.



[Modified by johng, 9:20 AM 1/16/2002]

 

Ryan - almost all of the SRX-7 guys use Diamond Racing Wheels for their practice and rain tires. And Panasports for their race tires. There are very few exceptions (Lightspeed, American Racing, and Revolution are the others I remember seeing). I've never seen a lug failure, but we all run upgraded lugs (the cars come with lug bolts, which are a pain to use).

 

I know I've posted this many times before. In a hubcentric wheel, the hub-centric-ness only helps in mounting the wheel. It's the friction between the wheel and the hub that takes the shearing loads (in excess of 30k lbs for 5 lugs at 75 ft-lbs torque with a steel hub and aluminum wheel). And it's the studs that take cornering loads.

I don't remember who it was on here, but they can tell you that all those plastic hubcentric rings are good for is catching on fire on the track.

With non-hub-centric wheels, you just have to be really careful to tighten the lug nuts evenly to make sure the wheel is properly centered. And you need to get the wheel centered when the lugs are only finger tight, as once you put some torque on one, you probably won't be able to break the friction generated between the wheel and hub.

-Mike

 

Be careful...as RacerMike can tell you...not all 13" wheels will fit on the Integra. I know he tried several and the 3 peice panasports were the only ones he found that fit. I have a set of the 13x7 panasport one peice wheels and they do NOT fit. So be aware of this before you order any if they are to be used on an integra.

 

Thanks for the warning. From my previous posts about building up a Teg for DSP I read a lot about 13" not fitting. Willamette Custom Wheel has really caught my eye and if they say they have a 13" that can clear Integra calipers I'm willing to risk ~$200 to find out.

My only dilemma now is 13x8" or 13x9". I have read opinions on preferences of one over the other but is there any downside to either one?

 

225 Hoosiers fit both. The 9" wheels have a bit of rim sticking out further than the tire. It "looks" like the 8" wheel fits the tire better.

 

CRAP I just called Willamette Custom Wheel and they said that their 13" rims will not clear Integra calipers.

They said they have 14" rims that would clear the calipers but it seems like the consensus around here is 13" is the way to go.

Anyone ever try Bogart rims on a Teg?




[Modified by Geratol, 12:58 PM 1/16/2002]

 

Look as kspeed.com for the Panasports, but I'd buy them from Hoosier Tom ( hoosier-tom@worldnet.att.net or 219-243-5553 ) since he supports the sport by coming out and changing/selling tires for us. He gets them from Kspeed and will match their price.

If you find another 13X8 wheel or wider that will fit the GS-R let me know; I need another set of wheels but I can't afford to drop $1200 again, at least not right now.

Mike

 

If you are suggesting using those for autocross usage, I'd do a little research on that. I'm assuming you're talking about the little drag race wheels, and I'm guessing they may not be built to handle the lateral loads that the other wheels mentioned can. Then again, that's nothing but my guess. I'd be curious to hear some other opinions on this subject.

BTW, those little 13" Volk TE37 drag wheels are incredibly lightweight as well.



[Modified by Mike P., 8:24 PM 1/16/2002]

 

One guy at my local AutoX had been using 13" Bogarts on his Civic and doing very well. I was wondering if anyone else tried them.

I can imagine the TE37 must cost more then the Panasports.

Right now the 14" Willamette Custom Wheel for $52 is very tempting. Is it so hard to get less rim for the same cost!! All my problems would be solved if Panasport didn't cost so freakin much.

RacerMike: I would be interested in knowing what other brands you tried that did not fit a TEG. It would save me a lot of research time.


[Modified by Geratol, 5:25 PM 1/16/2002]


[Modified by Geratol, 5:30 PM 1/16/2002]

 

DO NOT USE BOGARTS. They are not designed for the lateral loads you will see in autocrossing...you may want to tell the person using them to stop as well.

The problem with the 14" wheels is there are no good tire sizes available. The advantage the 13" 225/45 tire is that they have a smaller outside dia., getting and keeping the high reving Teg engine in it power band. Second, they are lighter than the 14" tires, and you know how that helps.

I can't remember if the new Kuhmo V700 tires were going to come in any better 14" sizes, but none of the others come in anything that will be as competitive as the 13's.