OK- I'm a Idiot and need some help.

[NSXLuvr]

I was getting ready for HPDE, and decided to get a set of track rims/tires for the NSX. I saw a few sets of 15/16's on sale, and with Ken saying that 15/16's will fit in the NSX, I got all excited and bought a set. Then I come to realize that the 15's won't work on my 1998 NSX. So, I have 3 days to buy some rims for the car. What would you do?

The tracks I go do are 120-140 miles away from home. So, I would prefer to carry the rims in the car(i am not enough of a junkie to have a trailer yet. That means 15/16's only. Or Should I just get a set of 16/17's change the rims at home, and drive to the track with the track rims/tires. I am planning on going with the TOYO RA-1's once I figure out the rims.

The choices are:
1. 16's(NSX rims) all around- cheap and but I don't know if that would work. Would just have a spare set of 15's to get rid off.
2. Just go with 16/17's either OEM or aftermarket, and swap the rims at home before track wknd.

HELP. Any info would be beneficial.

 

[DocL]

How about using your factory OEM wheels as track rims with an appropriate track tire? This way you can buy a nice set of 18/17 rims to use as your daily set-up.

 

[docjohn]

Well,if you have another say 2300$ then do what I did and get a 17/17 set of track wheels,I chose ssr-c from tire rack and get the ra1 235/40 and 275/40.Get your self a nice low profile jack and change them at home and drive to the track,the tires will be fine for the street and ok in the rain.The extra benefit of changing wheels at home is that it gives you a good look at your susp and brakes before heading to the track.Thats my opinion.

 

[NSXLuvr]

oops, forgot to mention that I have 17/18 SSR GT1 on right now. I am tired to scratching them up. I was trying to come up with a cheaper solution than the SSR-C.

Are the Konig rims at discount tires Capable of handling the track abuse?

 

[2slow2speed]

oops, forgot to mention that I have 17/18 SSR GT1 on right now. I am tired to scratching them up. I was trying to come up with a cheaper solution than the SSR-C.

Are the Konig rims at discount tires Capable of handling the track abuse?

If you are going to run RA-1's make sure that the sizes will work, if you plan to run OEM 16/17 wheels there isn't a good size of RA-1's that will fit that setup, one of your solutions will be the Kumho Victoracer's.

I've used Konig's on my old Prelude, in general they are low cost copies of well known wheels, but they are cast and not forged so they might be heavier than expected.

Ken

BTW: I have a set of TE37's that I can't run on my car anymore because of the BBK, they are track rims so they are scratched up but in good condition, PM if you are interested in them, I doubt that I will be able to send them your way in time for your event.

 

[Hrant]

I am in the same dilemma. I want to use my 16/17 OEM wheels for the track but having difficulty finding track tires. Hoosiers are the only ones that will fit but you will wear them down if you drive to the track.

As for the Victoracers for 16/17, I asked around and Andrie noted that they don't come in both front and rear OEM sizes. He recommended going with Kumho victoracers 205/45/16 up front and Kumho Ecsta 255/40/17 rear.

Ken, what size are the TE37s? Send me an e-mail or PM.

 

[Viper Driver]

BTW: I have a set of TE37's that I can't run on my car anymore because of the BBK, they are track rims so they are scratched up but in good condition, PM if you are interested in them, I doubt that I will be able to send them your way in time for your event.

I might be interested in them too.....I've been looking for a set of track wheels. What size are they?

 

[Ojas]

If you determine that option 1 would work (I'm not sure about the width) and if this helps: I have a spare pair 16" 5-spoke stock rims that you are welcome to borrow. We can work out a way to get tires you need on them and I can bring them to the event.

I would also like to point out that there is an option 3: We'll swap brakes so you can run 15/16 wheels.

 

[KGP]

I was just getting ready to list some 17/17 SSR Integral's for sale. They have Hoosier's on them, but one needs to be replaced.

 

[NSX-Racer]

I still can not understand why it is so complicated to get real track tires for the 16/17" stock rims in the U.S.. There are a lot of choices here (Yoko, Michelin etc.), you can even buy cheap used race slicks at a german online shop (you can see here) !

Do you have special rules or restrictions or is it just a question of too low demand? At least it must be possible to get race slicks over one of your track clubs - if you tried them one time you won't go for something else in the future.

 

[docjohn]

I don't know why but it is true that is why I stopped using the stock wheels.Probably has to do with the rarity of our stock size front compared to the more numerous porsche and bmw sizes that are the bulk of the track tire market.As to slicks not alot of folks use them for hpde's.

 

[nsxtasy]

I'm sorry if my advice regarding 15"/16" OEM wheels was not specific. They do not clear the front calipers on the '97+ NSX.

As for the "fit the track tires in the car" issue, I'm pretty sure you will be able to fit a set of 16"/17" OEM wheels/tires inside the car to take to the track. It will depend on the tire size, though. As long as you select tires that are not larger than the stock widths, they should fit inside, but you will need to try it to be sure. As already mentioned here, the Hoosier R3S04 comes in sizes (205/45-16 and 245/40-17) that would work; yes, they wear fast, but if they fit inside the car, you wouldn't be putting the mileage to and from the track on them. So that would be my suggestion.

Docjohn mentioned a nice low profile jack. You can use the stock NSX jack - not the easiest, but it works and doesn't take up any room. I just bought a nice one for $90 from Harbor Freight - fairly compact and I'm hoping it won't take up much space in the NSX when the track tires are packed...

 

[NSXLuvr]

I'm sorry if my advice regarding 15"/16" OEM wheels was not specific.

ITS ALL YOUR FAULT KEN j/k. I just got all excited when you stated that 15/16's would fit. Then you showed me those pics, and I saw 3 sets of rims for sale. I got even more excited, didn't do my research and bought them. Silly me, should have looked at the FAQ atleast. Oh well, lesson learned.

btw, will the 16's from 91-93 NSX's would fit in the front?

TIA

 

[NSXLuvr]

I would also like to point out that there is an option 3: We'll swap brakes so you can run 15/16 wheels.

HAHA- you funny guy. Let me find out if the 16's will work, and thanks for your help as usual.

 

[nsxtasy]

will the 16's from 91-93 NSX's would fit in the front?

No. The rear wheels have a slightly different offset (60 mm rear vs 55 front) but, even more important, they have a smaller center bore (that's the big hole in the middle), 64 mm vs 70 mm front. So at a minimum, you would need to bore out the center hole to the larger diameter. Also, their larger width (8 inches) is at the maximum for the 205/45-16 size. All in all, not really recommended...

 

[Hrant]

The $89 Harbor Freight is now available in their stores - at least based on today's ad in the newspaper.

 

[nsxtasy]

The $89 Harbor Freight is now available in their stores - at least based on today's ad in the newspaper.

When I bought mine a couple of weeks ago, I bought it in the store here. In the store, it was marked as $99.99, but they honored the website price of $89.99 when I presented a printout of their web page. (If you're looking it up by item number, it's 91039.)