WCM S2K wheel sizes.

[jimrankin]

Well, picking through the tire information here and on the testing sites has been very confusing, this should be easier. LOL!
Seems like it's probably going to be two sets of wheels and tires, one street, one track.
I've got the Wilwood 12" brakes at all four corners and the standard outboard shock, outboard brake suspension. I'd like to hear from some other S2K owners about just how big they run for tire and wheel sizes and what off-set they used to keep it all a fit on the fenders etc.
Going to probably run 17" street as I don't want to bottom out on driveways or ramps (The scars and broken rivet I found on the skid plate under the motor are a pretty good indicator that this happens quite often) and I live in California, home of the rounded curb driveway where even my MINI and 3 Series only clear by microns.
Track wheel is probably going to be determined by what works well over the brakes without getting too low to the ground. Any XC/Track racers have advice?
Thanks in advance for any Wheel help and still taking any info from experience on street tires that you might have.

[WestTexasS2K]

17x8 with 35-38 offset will handle up to a 255/45/17. That is about is large as you can go on the front. It hits the fender brackets if you go any bigger and sticks out from the fenders. You can run a 15x10 on the front and clear the brakes but you will have to change fender brackets or remove the fenders all together to run them. On the back you can run up to a 10" with a 45-48 offset. This will handle up to 275/40/17 and fits the fenders well. Your wheel pattern is a 5x100 which is hard to find in any size over 17x8. Team Dynamics makes a pretty nice wheels resaonable price and not to heavy. You will mostly likely will have to order them and it takes about 6 weeks to get here from the UK. US dist can be reached at 909 947 0114. The web site shows 17x9 but they can do 17x9.5. http://www.teamdynamicsracing.com/pro-race/Pro-race12.htm

[Mondo]

Don't know if I'm repeating myself (feels like deja vue)... I've got 17x8 (225s) & 17X9 (275s) offsets are 35mm in front & 43mm in rear. I have 5x114.3 all around due to an upgraded STI differential.
I have to thank WestTexas for the dimensions when building mine, came out perfect.

I think this is about max for street..

[jimrankin]

See your running Falkens on them. I had good luck with them for track tires on my MINI since I was running all four the same size and rotated after each track event. The MINI would eat a set every season so I didn't have much of a problem with them getting hard. Do you track them or just street them and most important, do you like them on your S2K?

[jimrankin]

Thanks for the info. What are you running on your S2K? you mentioned that they fit perfectly so would like to see how it compares with Mondo. Also, what tires size and type do you run. I went through quite a bit of trial and error with previous cars and tires and really have never driven anything as lite as the S2K to compare them with.
Gotta go up on the home page and find out how to become a paid member. This is one h**l of a great site for such a relatively minor number of these cars being out there. Wish there had been an internet when I was racing MGA's back in the '69 -73 years. Sure would have saved me from making all the learning curve mistakes I went through then.

[jimrankin]

It was Mondo who said his fit perfectly, and the pictures seems to show just that. I'd still like to know what your running for comparison.

[WestTexasS2K]

The green car in the picture that Mondo posted has the same size tires and rims on it. They are the Team Dynamic racing wheels. I ran the Falken RT615 for street and track probably over 300 laps and they still had over 50% tread left. You cant hardly wear them out on a 7. Tires seem to change all the time. The Falken RT615 was very good at the time and very affordable compared to others. The R888 seems to be very popular. I wouldnt hesitate to run a 100 wear tire for street and track duty they should last over a year. I have run Dunlops Advan ok tire, I liked the Falken better. I ran Yokahomas about the same as the Dunlap. The best street tire that we have found that is very good in the dry and the wet is the Michilin PS2. We used them for 1 lap and we are restricted to no less than 100 wear tires. I am sure there are more sticky tires out there just the ones that I have exp with. I havent had an Ultralite on the road for over a year so I havent researched tires of late.

[jimrankin]

Thanks for the reply West Texas. It seems that there is no middle ground on the Falken R615's, either people love them or hate them. It might be a question of the car being so lite that anything with a 200 tread wear is going to get hard before it's used up. Mondo should be a good test bench because he has some tire working roads near his home and it's HOT out there in the valley, probably just like West Texas but without T-storms.
I don't think that I'd get a set of Falkens street tires warmed up enough to really heat cycle them with the cool SF Bay Area tempatures and the lack of twisty roads that aren't just too crowded and patroled for any real fun.
Thanks for the info, time to start looking at wheels even if I'm still not sure what to skin them with yet.
You working on your 7 for the past year or moving on to another car type?

[WestTexasS2K]

Building my 2nd Ultralite if you dont count Kevins car. I helped with his some. I have taking it slow with the economy. I have putting in more time with my business and less time playing for now.

[rnr]

What to people think about the Rota DPT wheels? http://www.wheeldude.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=5866

The 17x9 have an offset of 42 which should be plenty if 17x10 will fit with an offset of 45. At just over $200 a wheel and easy availability (compared to Team Dynamics) they could be a great budget option for the rears.

[Mondo]

I'm probably not the best guy to ask about tires.. I've only had it on the track once so far (fixing a G-load fuel starvation problem as we speak).
I do know that the tire pressure makes a huge difference. I'm running 20psi all around but am going to lower the back a couple pounds and check it out as the fronts are like glue but the back lets go first. But that probably has a lot to do with me.
I just found out you should have all your braking done before turn it... on my sportbike there was a little more easing off as you leaned in; guess that's not best approach for this car;)

[WestTexasS2K]

What to people think about the Rota DPT wheels? http://www.wheeldude.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=5866

The 17x9 have an offset of 42 which should be plenty if 17x10 will fit with an offset of 45. At just over $200 a wheel and easy availability (compared to Team Dynamics) they could be a great budget option for the rears.

I had looked at the ROTA before but they didnt have that wheel. They never had a 17x9 with a 5x100 bolt pattern. That is one of the main reasons I changed my hubs to the 114.3 on my new car, more choices.

[jimrankin]

The Rota's look pretty good, nice straight forward wheel. Wish it didn't have the double drill, 10 holes is a bit much. Any idea of the weights? Any one who has a link to 17" X 9"to10" wheels (even 18") with a 5 X 100 pattern or knows of a brand that does make that please add to the thread. Thanks for the Rota link, gonna go see what their site is like.
Hey Mondo, didn't that late brake with the sport bike tend to keep the bike wanting to stand up on you? I used it to get the forks to stay settled down from braking to the turn G's coming on but it made the bike hard to lay over. Two wheels are for the young and flexible or for the slightly older and VERY talented. You may notice I'm looking for FOUR wheels. LOL

[Mondo]

I'm not sure about it standing up... it just felt more natural to break hard and ease off as I started leaning... more of a flow thing. Of course I never lost the front wheel so I might of changed my tune after a low slide;)
Yeah, almost got a trackbike but my racing days are over and knowing me, I'd start hot and heavy and then go to trackdays 3 or 4 times a year. Figured I can do that with the 7 and still go out regularly for some early morning low flight reconnaissance.

[jimrankin]

I've got problems with my left wrist, left knee, right collar bone (still won't set after almost 30 years) and right rotator, all from being young and (at least in my own mind) invinceable. Two wheels are for the young and flexible or the slightly older and REALLY talented. You might notice I'm shopping for FOUR wheels. LOL. With the deteriorating condition of the highways, and even worse, the lack of skill levels of the drivers out there it's just not inviting to ride a street bike at my age. Your safer at your limit on the track than you are just taking a quick ride on the street.
Hey RNR. If your reading this thanks for the Rota link. Only a couple of wheels that will work but looks like I can go with a 17" X 8" front but have to jump to an 18" rear wheel to get the offsets that work in a set and have 5X100 available.
Have a great weekend eveyone.

[rnr]

Hey RNR. If your reading this thanks for the Rota link. Only a couple of wheels that will work but looks like I can go with a 17" X 8" front but have to jump to an 18" rear wheel to get the offsets that work in a set and have 5X100 available.



You're welome. I'm most likely going to go for a set of DPT 17x 9s for the rear and torque 17x8s for the front. The wheeldude.com guys are up in Fremont and I'm just going to drive over and have a look at them before I buy.

[jimrankin]

Hi RNR,
Was gone all weekend, other toys to play with but just got back and saw your reply, thanks again!!
I'll check their site and see just where they are in Fremont. My office is just off Automall Parkway and Fremont just isn't all that big so should be able to see them within minutes of work. Really getting stoked to take the 7 out to T-hill or where ever HOD or some other club event I can get onto is happening. Lotus Club has an AX coming up in Santa Clara that would probabaly be fun, and a great learning curve since I don't know squat about how the 7 handles, but I'm a confirmed speed freak so miles of track is always going to top a parking lot. If I get to see the wheels up close and personal before you do I'll post my impressions ASAP.

[rnr]

Really getting stoked to take the 7 out to T-hill or where ever HOD or some other club event I can get onto is happening. Lotus Club has an AX coming up in Santa Clara that would probabaly be fun, and a great learning curve since I don't know squat about how the 7 handles, but I'm a confirmed speed freak so miles of track is always going to top a parking lot.

The GGLC autcross is currently full but they might be able to squeeze in a few more club members so I suggest you sign up asap. Let me know the next time you head to Thunderhill and I might join you as well - am getting a full cage put in today and should have the car track ready by the end of the month.

[Mondo]

Please post some pics of the cage when you get a chance... I'd be interested to see what it looks like.

[rnr]

Please post some pics of the cage when you get a chance... I'd be interested to see what it looks like.

I'm going for something very similar to the cage Brian does on the newer cars (pic below)). Will have to cut out the existing roll bar and add a couple of square tube sections to the chassis as well to create a new load path. Will hopefully have it back next week and I'll create a new thread then.

[Mondo]

I bought the weather kit and regret it. I should of gotten some side protection... I wanted to add that lower side bar (not a double bar set up) but it wouldnt fit with the kit.

Live and learn

I like the Caterham full-cage set up but don't know how that would work with our cars.

[jimrankin]

Nice roll bar set up. I don't plan to enter my S2k in competition events, partly because I didn't think the lack of side bars and cage would fly and partly because I'm getting a bit less competetive after passing 60 a couple of years back. Will the setup shown in the photo meet the "full cage" requirement? Looks like it will meet side impact.
I talked with the Wheeldude store in Fremont to make sure someone would be there this afternoon before I went by. Guy I talked to had no idea what a kit car or lotus 7 clone was and pretty much said nothing in one type of wheel that would match the size/bolt/offset I was looking for. Custom drilling is possible out of the Phillipines factory but a minimum of five sets of wheels with cost and lead time issues. Four unshod cars out there? LOL.
Went by WheelWorks instead and they can fit it with a custom order but the sets they can do it with start at $3600.00. My wife loves me and puts up with the cars I already have but a Mastercard bill with over five grand for wheels and tires might be a bit over the top after just adding the 7. I may have to look to England after all.
Possible to fit 5 X 114 hubs to the standard Subie rear end in the stock S2K? Starting to look like I won't see T-hill till spring.

[rnr]

Nice roll bar set up. I don't plan to enter my S2k in competition events, partly because I didn't think the lack of side bars and cage would fly and partly because I'm getting a bit less competetive after passing 60 a couple of years back. Will the setup shown in the photo meet the "full cage" requirement? Looks like it will meet side impact.

I'm not planning on competition events either but I do believe that it will meet SCCA GCR reqs. We are replacing the current small diameter tube holding the dash in place with 1.25 inch DOM roll cage tube which will allow it to meet the requirements for "low front hoop" which mandates the hoop must be higher than the steering wheel.

I talked with the Wheeldude store in Fremont to make sure someone would be there this afternoon before I went by. Guy I talked to had no idea what a kit car or lotus 7 clone was and pretty much said nothing in one type of wheel that would match the size/bolt/offset I was looking for.
I looked at their site as well and am thinking of buying the Steel grey DPT in 17 x 9 (http://www.wheeldude.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=5732) for the rear and sticking with my current wheels 17 x 7.5 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/88898787@N00/3943898156/in/set-72157622305400291/) for the front. The number of spokes is different but I'm thinking that they are close enough in looks that most people wont notice. What do other folks think?

[jimrankin]

I'd take in one of your wheels and stand it about eight feet away from the DPT and see if the difference jumps out at you, presuming you have access to a DPT. I like the look of your current wheels better, but I'm more into "plain" lower count spoke wheels.
I'm not real big on the look of the Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 but sent them an email about size (checking to see if the 9.5" is actualy available) and fitment. Sent them an email when the link first came up on this thread and didn't hear back so hoping for better luck this time. What a difference wheel shopping is for this car than past ones where my "problem" has been picking from so big a list it was hard to decide.

[rnr]

I'm not real big on the look of the Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 but sent them an email about size (checking to see if the 9.5" is actualy available) and fitment. Sent them an email when the link first came up on this thread and didn't hear back so hoping for better luck this time. What a difference wheel shopping is for this car than past ones where my "problem" has been picking from so big a list it was hard to decide.

I spoke to the CA distributor as well as Team Illuminata and neither of them had the 17 x 9s in stock. Where it got interesting was the CA guy said he could order them in 6-8 weeks while Illuminata said that it used to be 6-8 but now takes 12-16 weeks and that is standard across all importers. I didnt know who to believe and since I'd rather not wait at all I'm trying to see if I can get the Rota setup working instead.

[jimrankin]

Got a return email from the USA team dynamics distributor. Just asked what color I wanted but didn't address any questions. Think he only saw the "form" with room for one size only and not the email about staggered fitment and was a 9.5" wheel available
Sent him a reply so see what hapens tomorrow.

[WestTexasS2K]

I prefer to call the U.S. distributor you faster action. 909 947 0114

[rnr]

I prefer to call the U.S. distributor you faster action. 909 947 0114

Thats the guy I called. Out of stock and said 6-8 weeks to order fresh.

[WestTexasS2K]

Thats about right. He doesnt carry alot of oddball sizes and bolt patterns like we use. If need them for a Miata he has 100 of them. The price you pay for being different.

[jimrankin]

CA dist. said no 9.5" wheels but don't know if he knows for a fact that that is so. Didn't say anything about what he had in stock. But if I'm waiting and they are actually made I'll go with the 9.5" rears.
Sure don't want to try to track with the skinny wheels I have on now, even if they are light and have new tires on, just too little of a contact patch.

[WestTexasS2K]

275 tires will fit a 9.0" rim no problem. You wont be able to go much wider than that though.

[jimrankin]

Did you get a price from Team Dynamics US for a set of wheels? Probably the same size as I'm looking for. Still not received a return email from them and called but got the lady on the answering machine both times.

[rnr]

Team Illuminata has a list of Pro Race 1.2 prices: http://www.teamilluminata.com/Shop/TeamDynamics/TeamDynamics.htm

[jimrankin]

Pricing is really reasonable for the quality. Not sure just how big you can go tire-wise and stay within the S2K's rear fenders. See several 275 photos and it looks like there is still plenty of room. Also want to hear from the factory if there is a 9.5 available as I know that there are several 10" rims being run by the lucky few who knew better and ran 114 hubs and they seem to fit without a problem.
Anyone have pictures of the TD 1.2 wheels on their car? I'm going to have to go look through the members rides section and get a peak at who has what on their cars and hoe it looks.

[WestTexasS2K]

Here are a few pics of the TD 1.2 in black.

[jimrankin]

The wheels look good on your car with the black offsetting the Green. If I buy a set does it mean I have to purchase a supercharger too. LOL

[WestTexasS2K]

yes it is mandatory! We have the brackets in stock.

[jimrankin]

Rumor has it that you were semi-normal before you went off your meds and got a seven........LOL

[WestTexasS2K]

that is what you get for listening to rumors. I have never been semi normal.

[jimrankin]

West Texas confirmed he has never been even semi-normal but I had that figured out by reading some of the older post on this board. Looks like NO ONE on this site is anywhere near normal, my kind of place!!
Anyway, some info. Team Dynamics confirmed that the post saying they had 9.5" wheels available is in error. 9" is it. They also confirmed that they had no wheels at 17" X 9" X 45 offset in stock and had no castings to make them out of. Allow about 3-4 months till being supplied again.
WCM confirmed that there is no way to put on 5X114 hubs as a retrofit. Need to have everything from the drive shaft back from one subbie or the other. Guess I'll order and wait. Gonna run a pool on who visits first, UPS (with my wheels) or the USPS (with birthday cards, 2-11).
Thanks again for all the poster who have been guiding me through the start of what seems like it's going to be a long learning curve.