OZ wheels

[silviamirage]

I tried to search for this, but couldn't.

I'm going to buy a s13 240sx relatively soon, so that I can try my hand at racing somewhere in the near future, and then upgrade to a sr20. I don't think that I can afford volks or advans, however much I wish that I could, but am interested in buying a set of wheels that still will stand up to racing and daily abuse yet are lighter than 20lbs a piece. I have heard that 0Z's are decent, and am thinking about saving up for a set, but first am interested in the comments of those on this board.1) What do you think of/have heard about, OZ wheels2) Do you know of any other brands in this price range that I should investigate3) What size do you recommend (i.e. 17x7, 17x8, 15x7, etc...)

[silviamirage]

Apparently I was wrong about the volks; at least partially. I can afford the gram lights (sp?). Any thoughts about these?

[silviamirage]

Common, anyone?

[Repo Man]

Apparently I was wrong about the volks; at least partially. I can afford the gram lights (sp?). Any thoughts about these?

Ok, since no one else has any thoughts on this, I'll offer mine. OZ wheels are quality, lightweight wheels. I have not owned any, but several SCCA racers around here have them and they seem to hold up well to racing and daily driving.

Volks are in the same boat. High quality, lightweight, good looking but kind of pricey (get what you pay for). IMO, either brand of wheel will serve you well. The size is up to you, but remember to leave enough $$$ for a killer set of tires. The last thing I would want to do is spend all my cash on nice wheels and not have enough left for the part that actually has contact with the road.

Another way to go at it is to get a set or two of factory alloys for cheap and buy racing slicks for one set and radials for the other set. This will leave you more $ for suspension mods, which you are sure to want once you start racing (I'm assuming auto-x or roadracing).

[not_a_porsche]

How about Rota's?

Some of the 17" rims are in the 16lb range and not nearly as expensive as the OZ.

[Repo Man]

How about Rota's?

Some of the 17" rims are in the 16lb range and not nearly as expensive as the OZ.

They have a few that are even lighter. Check 'em at http://www.jaydm.com. Good call.

[silviamirage]

hmmm...anyone know about the quality of rotas?

Anyway, I will proabably buy some factory alloys at first and concentrate on the suspension; maybe wrap them in some yokos, so that I'll have a decent setup that I can do some minor racing on quickly. I was investigating the wheel setup so that I could decide on whether to go for the 5 lug conversion, which I will, and so that I could see how long I'd have to wait for them. The oz's and volks seem to be close in price, 80usd appart (superleggaras and gram lights), just wondering which is better quality. Anyway, anybody have an opinion on which coilovers are the best? Apexi, hks, or tein?

[silviamirage]

God, that was the most cumbersome that I have ever written. Please try to get through it though, because I'm having problems finding a good suspension setup that won't make me go broke.

[Repo Man]

God, that was the most cumbersome that I have ever written. Please try to get through it though, because I'm having problems finding a good suspension setup that won't make me go broke.

Well, forget coilovers then. I'd look at JIC though if I were doing coilovers.

You could go with the ever-popular Eibach/KYB AGX route and that wouldn't break you like coilovers would. The car will handle very well and you'll have adjustibility in the damping.

The Kumho Victoracer is a good race tire that won't leave you broke either.

[silviamirage]

hmmm...what sort of performance difference are we talking about with coilovers versus the alternative, and what about the price difference?

JIC's are what, like 2 grand? I could do it, don't want to, but I could.

[Exar-Kun]

I just ordered this setup:

VOLK gram light 57, 1100 dollars225-45-17 pirelli P "MOTHER****ING" ZERO "Y" rated tires -670 dollars

total 1800 dollars, 16.2lb wheels, bad-*** tires.

wheels are 17x7.5 30mm offset(clears coilvers, Z brakes)

OZ makes only 2 wheels that fit our cars, the F-1 cup, and the superleggra(as far as I know) the superlegrra runs 280-300 dollars in a 17x7 and is 16.5lbs

[Repo Man]

hmmm...what sort of performance difference are we talking about with coilovers versus the alternative, and what about the price difference?

JIC's are what, like 2 grand? I could do it, don't want to, but I could.

Well, it's difficult to quantify the difference, but the big advantage to coilovers is the extreme adjustibility. You can modify the ride height, damping, etc. The only thing you can adjust with the AGX's is the damping. No ride height adjustments.

I think you can get JIC's for 2k. I'm sure you could do it, but you could also get an Eibach/AGX setup for $700 or so and have money left over for other suspension parts and/or DRIVING SCHOOL! Yeah! Modifying the driver is one of the best ways to make your car faster. And what's cool about that is that it makes ANY car you drive faster and more capable.

Or maybe I'm just nuts...:freak

[dcmetro240]

I went ery expensive with my setup, but it's the best handling car I ever owned. I have Tien type flex coils, and Advan AVS model 6's, 17x8. they only weight around 15lbs. But are very expensive, I got lucky with min all 4 for 1500.

[nametakennow]

If you're looking for lightweight, OZ's kick. I'm completely in love with Chrono Evolutions, only 16.9lbs a piece for 17s. Very nice, simple, clean, yet aggressive enough look. Just my suggestion.

[silviamirage]

repo-yeah, you're right, I might just do that. My problem in choosing what to get up front is that in the beginning my financial situation is going to stink-freshmen in college, and my parents are cutting the purse strings as far as it comes to cars. However, I'm still gonna have the car when my finances will increase quite abit, and I don't want to have to buy everything twice.

How would an Eibach/tokico setup handle?

[Exar-Kun]

better than stock, not as good as coilovers.

heres my list of things I plan on doing to my suspension(what whats been done)DONE:1. battle version front adjustable t/c arms (tension rods, with a metal bushing.)2. front strut brace (apex-i N-1)2. rear strut brace (cusco carbon fiber)

in future:-Cusco sway bars-TEin or APex-I coilovers with pillow mounts-battle version/cusco rear suspension peices-solid rear subframe bushings-NISMO suspension bushings

there ya go. if you need links to any of that, let me know.

[silviamirage]

I could use links for the tein and apexi coilovers, and, especially, the suspension pieces.

How much will the coilovers cost (tein and apexi; I'm having a hard time finding good vendors)?

[sheadee240]

If you are going to race, don't waste your money on "225-45-17 pirelli P "MOTHER****ING" ZERO "Y" rated tires", I love Yokos, and that is what I drive on the street, but if we are talking about racing here, then you absolutely DO NOT want a street tire. For Auto-X you should get kumho ecsta v700 and for road racing hoosier S series!

I just ordered this setup:

VOLK gram light 57, 1100 dollars225-45-17 pirelli P "MOTHER****ING" ZERO "Y" rated tires -670 dollars

total 1800 dollars, 16.2lb wheels, bad-*** tires.

wheels are 17x7.5 30mm offset(clears coilvers, Z brakes)

OZ makes only 2 wheels that fit our cars, the F-1 cup, and the superleggra(as far as I know) the superlegrra runs 280-300 dollars in a 17x7 and is 16.5lbs

[Exar-Kun]

WHen did I say I was using the Pzero as a race tire?

ugh. its just the best street tire available, in nearly every respect. anyways, I'll be using a set of yokohama A032R or importing advan A042 tires for road racing, thank you. and Kumho's are ***. period.

I work at a tire place man, I know how tires are made, and I see the **** that happens from people putting kumho's on their cars every day. its not a good thing. wolfgang(runs a kenny brown tuned camaro SS) robinson, at a local shop got some kumho vito-racer(v700?) or whatever they are, and promplty sent them back after ONE LAP. he went and bought a set of a032R's and loved them.

you get what you pay for.

I cant belive you think I'd run a street tire for racing purposes. but no, seriously, try beating a Pzero on the street. good luck.

[not_a_porsche]

Quote »I cant belive you think I'd run a street tire for racing purposes. but no, seriously, try beating a Pzero on the street. good luck. [/quote]

Hmmmm, what are your criteria for a good street tire? Wet traction? Dry Traction? Wear resistance? Response?

From this page:"Lap times: At Lime Rock, the BFGoodrich Comp T/A R1 were about three seconds a lap quicker (1:05 vs. 1:08). The fact that the R1's were more ideally worn versus the new Pirelli was a definite factor in these times."

It also did not dominate here:here

I am not ragging on it, it's a good tire by any measure but you said to try.

[Exar-Kun]

the pzero-C is an older tire, too, unfortuantely, where the R-1 is only 2 years old. either way, they article said themselves that the wornd conditions of the R-1 gave it an edge. go ask around the the petit lemans, and see what tires they run. Pirelli, michelin, or bridgestone.

..And the tire rack used the "rosso" which is, incredibly, a tuned down version(for more ride comfort) than the pzero asimytrico, and S-03 is one helluva tire, but it doesnt have the progressive feel of the Pzero. I've been in cars with AVS sports, Pzeros(rosso and asymetrcio), pilot sports(ugh.), and goodyears.

goodyear was the suckiest. the michelin pilot sport doesnt ahve a good enough tuyrn in feel for me, due to a relative flexibility of its sidewall.only problem I had with AVS sports is their noise level...

anyways, Pzero is where people comapre tires to, and that speaks for itself. all in all, I love them, and its hard to find anything to beat them overall(except price.ugh these are the expensive)

anyways, good atricles man!also, race tires do better when worn...not new