Track wheel Enkei RPF1 in 16" ??

[wparsons]

A 16x7 with a 215 width Z2/RS3/etc will be a really sticky and light combo.

[D1cker]

I don't think you'll save enough weight to make up for the lack in sidewall rigidity and narrow tire. Miatas are fastest with 15" tires with a 205/50 or 225/45 and they weigh 500lbs less than an FRS. F1 cars may have a tall sidewall but they weigh next to nothing and the tire construction is totally different than anything we're using.

In short, 17" wheels are best!

[Trettiosjuan]

Maybe 17" will be a smidge faster on most tracks, but to say 16" will NOT work is pure nonsense, that is the point...

[SubieNate]

I could see a 225/50-16 being beastly on rougher surfaces.

I'd like to see someone test 16"ers from 205-235ish, 17's in the same widths, and even 18's. I think we may be surprised. A 205 may be too narrow overall, but those saying that 16" can't work well are misinformed. If I were using something like A6's on stock brakes I might go for 16's on purpose just to save weight.

[rx3]

In the top link of this following linklist, was an article where they tested a VW Jetta with 15", 16" and 17" wheels and they actually got the quickest laptimes on the 15" and the slowest on the 17" wheels http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=101608
(Unfortunately this link is dead meanwhile ).

But things may have changed since then also, as tires may have adapted/improved regarding larger rim sizes and certain tires may simply not available in a smaller size anymore.

Are there 16"x8" or even 16"x9" lightweight rims which would fit?

[D1cker]

a 16x7 RPF1 with a 225/50/16 vs a 17x9 RPF1 with a 245/40/17 will only save you three pounds, but you'll lose quite a bit of response from the tire as well as less grip.
It's not a bad idea, but on a track the 17"s will be faster.

Now if I could find a cool light 16x8 that would clear my brakes, I'd love those as a street/caynon wheel when paired with a 225/50/16 RS3

[Cade01]

Originally Posted by rx3

Are there 16"x8" or even 16"x9" lightweight rims which would fit?

I don't know the weight, but Enkei make the Compe, it's 16x8 and a +25et. They Look good on the car, if I had money for wheels and tires these would be on my short list.

Here's Shit Luck's car, his were for sale a while back, they have 225/50 r16 tires...

[Shit Luck]

i was going to post but you beat me too it...
I think this would be an awesome track setup with some 205 or 215 stickies on it.
you can get a good set of rotors, pads, stainless lines, and good brake fluid and be dialed.
infact if those rpf1s were 16x8 i would have already ordered them.

[Cade01]

Originally Posted by Shit Luck

i was going to post but you beat me too it...
I think this would be an awesome track setup with some 205 or 215 stickies on it.
you can get a good set of rotors, pads, stainless lines, and good brake fluid and be dialed.
infact if those rpf1s were 16x8 i would have already ordered them.

I want your wheels so bad, lol! Too bad I'm broke as a joke a thy're so far away

[SubieNate]

Originally Posted by D1cker

a 16x7 RPF1 with a 225/50/16 vs a 17x9 RPF1 with a 245/40/17 will only save you three pounds, but you'll lose quite a bit of response from the tire as well as less grip.
It's not a bad idea, but on a track the 17"s will be faster.

Now if I could find a cool light 16x8 that would clear my brakes, I'd love those as a street/caynon wheel when paired with a 225/50/16 RS3

I won't argue on response, I've driven enough 16" wheels to know it's dulled a bit. And you may lose some grip, but there are a few cars out there that have run faster laps on 225 RS3's than 245's. @robispec and @CSG Mike should both confirm that. Ultimate grip is only one part of the equation. The lighter weight and lower rolling resistance of the 225's allow the car to carry more straightline speed with it's limited power from what I understand.

Is that 3 pounds per wheel or total? 3 pounds per wheel could be huge.

Cheers
Nathan

[BlaineWasHere]

I would have thought about 16s if you could get wider ones, but I can't so 17x9 RPF1 is what I have. 17x9 RPF1 are just under 16lbs which I think is great for a wheel that size. My cast Rota Grids are 20.5lbs in the same 17x9 size.

17s for life.

[rx3]

According to this: http://www.soloracer.com/racewheels.html
Lightweight 16x8 rims are available (not sure whether any of those would fit).
For instance, Volk Racing TE37 16x8 only weigh 13.3 lbs. But they probably cost a fortune.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by SubieNate

I won't argue on response, I've driven enough 16" wheels to know it's dulled a bit. And you may lose some grip, but there are a few cars out there that have run faster laps on 225 RS3's than 245's. @robispec and @CSG Mike should both confirm that. Ultimate grip is only one part of the equation. The lighter weight and lower rolling resistance of the 225's allow the car to carry more straightline speed with it's limited power from what I understand.

Is that 3 pounds per wheel or total? 3 pounds per wheel could be huge.

Cheers
Nathan

@D1cker is the fastest non-shop frs in socal

Although, his setup is eerily similar to the CSG car... Shall we test fit some 16's over your AP Brakes?

[Trettiosjuan]

Which is fastest is one question, and fun finding out

In spirit of the OP question though, I would say it should be fairly uncontroversial to state that a 16" set-up with sticky tires will more likely than not give the most performance per $$$ spent.

Agreed?