Centering caps for the TC105N from Gruppe-s

[cjd]

Though these have their origins elsewhere, the logistics of organizing a run of these custom parts seems a bit more than most are interested in tackling. I had been considering it but balked at the cost and probable stress of such an endeavor. Fortunately for us, @Gruppe-s has decided to consider offering these. Already a great place to get the WedsSport TC105N, this makes it just a little better.



To start with, these are dual function, providing both a cap for the hub, and a centering ring for the wheel. The center caps WedsSport offers do not provide the centering function, and are actually incompatible with centering rings. While not required for these (they're lug-centric if you're patient and careful,) if you're like me and sometimes change wheels in a bit of a hurry, ... well, that's a somewhat less than ideal way to go.

Speaking of in a hurry... I've got a road trip tomorrow, my power washer is on loan, and I had my race tires on the car, and needed to swap them out. So the pics will have slightly less than pristine clean car pictures. Fear not, I'll add more later.

For starters, the machining is clean - no frills, very light toolmarks (as opposed to a cleaned or polished finish) - they're shipped in individual boxes, wrapped in a plastic bag within the box. Mine had signs of handling on the surface, but nothing significant (and nothing close to what use will do.) I believe these are part of a test run, so the handling is to be expected in this case.

Fit and finish are clean - a very slight bit of play on the hub, and none I could easily detect in the wheel. The (plastic) centering rings I have are similar. I found that I could get these stuck if I didn't place them into the hub center straight; a bit off kilter and they'd grab. So tolerances are very close, and that's good.

They sit slightly proud of the hub center on the face side, with the easing on the wheel and the cap seeming to meet cleanly - if they were flush I think they might look slightly odd, but this looks quite good.







The color is subtle, and will probably go with any color they offer - a slight bronze tint. It goes well with the somewhat common Titan Silver, as well as the Dark Grey Metallic quite nicely. It would be fun to have these in blue to go with my numbers, but I won't complain. Maybe some day. And for most days, a slightly lower profile is probably to my benefit here in the city.





Installation was straight-forward. Since they don't hold in the wheel, I found it slightly easier to put the cap on the hub, then slide the wheel straight on. I could have used a little painters tape across the face to hold it into the wheel as well. If they're not fully seated in the wheel when you place it over the lugs, be careful to seat the wheel perfectly straight or, as noted, the cap may stick in the hub center.

For those counting, I weighed these in at 61.8g (2.18oz) - for a little extra protection against the elements, I won't complain one bit - especially on the rear axle. Size is 65mm for the wheel hub and a 56.1mm interior bore for the hub.

For now, I'll leave you with a picture of the very dirty car (you can't see it here, but my numbers are clearly readable in the dust from last Sunday,) ready for a road-trip tomorrow. 17x8 with 225/45/17 PSS. The DGM are 17x9 with 255/40/17 RE71-R. More pics later - if I don't do an actual shoot here or there, I'll at least get some shots at the next event I race.



Before these, with lovely pink centering rings...





The new style with custom paint

[cjd]

reserved in case I just take that many pictures...

[blue cat]

Looks good , this would solve RPF1 problem of ugly and expensive center caps, and need for hubcentric rings. Are there measurements for these? I'd consider purchasing to use on my RPF1s.

[cjd]

Originally Posted by blue cat

Looks good , this would solve RPF1 problem of ugly and expensive center caps, and need for hubcentric rings. Are there measurements for these? I'd consider purchasing to use on my RPF1s.

65mm, too small for the RPF1. Maybe if you ask nice they'll expand the line (I imagine first they have to prove worthwhile in this size...)

[Kostamojen]

Link to purchase?

[Trac Toy]

@Raceseng

[btoast]

Originally Posted by blue cat

Looks good , this would solve RPF1 problem of ugly and expensive center caps, and need for hubcentric rings. Are there measurements for these? I'd consider purchasing to use on my RPF1s.

I put together some nice (imo) looking Punisher caps for my RPF1s for under $20 using parts off ebay. It's really not that hard. 68mm caps pop right in nice and snug.

[DuMa]

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

Link to purchase?

this

[cjd]

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

Link to purchase?

I'll have to refer you to @Gruppe-s for that - I imagine a PM would get you an answer. There is a little info at the end of the TC105N thread I linked too.

[8R6]

@ohhwilliam

[continuecrushing]

holy cow this is insanely SMART!!!

Co-worker and I just lost our minds lol. AND they won't "fly off" at the track/while driving. Hi-five for this, hi-five.

[ryoma]

now the question is, will they scratch up easily if you aren't extremely careful when mounting wheels? lol. I am definitely interested if they will make these for the RPF1's. I hate the Enkei center caps for the RPF1; it looks so cheap but I bought them anyways to not look like a cheap bastard and run wheels without center caps haha

[continuecrushing]

Originally Posted by ryoma

now the question is, will they scratch up easily if you aren't extremely careful when mounting wheels? lol. I am definitely interested if they will make these for the RPF1's. I hate the Enkei center caps for the RPF1; it looks so cheap but I bought them anyways to not look like a cheap bastard and run wheels without center caps haha

plus they're freaking expensive, for what they are.

[HSC]

Very interested...