Why don't we see more NASCAR-style wheels on the road?

"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee) 03/21/2016 at 09:52 • Filed to: None

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I mean, they’re super cheap (Bassett sells a DOT legal version for $60/ea), they’re pretty damn light*, and they look badass when coupled with white lettered tires. They should be the wheel of choice for anyone with an old muscle car!

*For example, despite being steel they only weigh about 1lb each more than the stock alloy wheels of the same dimensions for the Camaro above.

JGrabowMSt > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/21/2016 at 10:00

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Don’t these wheels only come in up to 16"? I was looking into them for the HEMIWagon because I very specifically wanted steelies, but wouldn’t be able to clear the brakes. Ended up getting the 5 spoke cop steelies and love them.

I do agree that the world needs more badass looking steelies. Detroit Steel Wheels makes some gorgeous looking smoothies, but it’s not a look for everyone.

crowmolly > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/21/2016 at 10:06

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A 15x8 Basset DOT wheel is 24 lbs. 15x8 Cragar soft 8's are 28 lbs.

My Greg weld Prolites are 13 lbs. A 15x8 TT II is 14 lbs.

That’s a big enough difference to run aluminum wheels IMO.

dogisbadob > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/21/2016 at 10:08

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Too bad they don’t make the Camaro with t-tops either :(

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > crowmolly 03/21/2016 at 10:22

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Yep, and where you save metal thickness in the steel wheel (the web) is where it matters least for spinning. It wouldn’t be hard for an alloy wheel to have like a third the rotational moment of inertia at half the weight, or less - which is big for acceleration and braking.

Also known as why I went to aluminum wheels on the Ranchero, even pretty solid cast ones.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > crowmolly 03/21/2016 at 10:38

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But nobody needs 8" wide wheels for street use. 15x7 steelies are 20-22lbs depending on the brand, which is right on par with a lot of factory wheels.

crowmolly > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/21/2016 at 10:39

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Well, my 15x7 wheels are 11 lbs each. That’s half the weight of your steelies. And they are not a FAWNSEEH brand, just Welds.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > crowmolly 03/21/2016 at 10:47

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And do you do any sort of driving that would see any advantage of the weight savings? Because I betcha most people don’t. For someone who just wants to cruise around in a car that looks good, these are more than fine.

crowmolly > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/21/2016 at 11:00

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Going from 15x7 24lb steels to the above mentioned aluminums was noticeable to me, in regular (55mph and under) driving. I thought I wouldn’t notice anything and I was wrong. Braking especially. Lighter wheels will help even on a DD.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > crowmolly 03/21/2016 at 11:13

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And what did you pay for those?

crowmolly > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/21/2016 at 11:26

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~$100 a corner.

These are not mine but similar:

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Perform…

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > crowmolly 03/21/2016 at 11:36

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If you bought those before Weld went out of business and was bought out, those were made in China.

crowmolly > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/21/2016 at 11:49

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They are almost guaranteed to be made in China or Taiwan. But they needed almost no weight to balance and run true.

The Jeg’s ones are castings made in China, same with the Summit stars. So are all of GM’s factory wheels.

But in my opinion that stuff doesn’t really matter. If you want “the look” of steel wheels that’s fine, but it’s a downgrade in performance. I wanted to do the Soft 8/RWL thing until I realized that it was a lot of unsprung weight. They sure look cool though.

thebigbossyboss > crowmolly 03/21/2016 at 11:50

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My 17 inches are 43 lbs. They see me rollin' they hatin'

crowmolly > thebigbossyboss 03/21/2016 at 11:51

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Man, the DOT must hate you. What with all the smoothing of speed bumps and so on.

LOL

Ross Kraz > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/21/2016 at 16:01

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Still hoping this car makes a comeback in one of the next F&F movies

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/21/2016 at 19:33

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YES.

I love those wheels, especially with meaty tires with lettering.
I once saw a picture of a Rolls Silver Cloud painted matte olive green with those nascar wheels with a yellow stripe and yellow lettering. It looked amazing. I can’t find it anymore, though, sorry.

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 03/21/2016 at 20:03

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Not Bassett’s (couldn’t get the right dimensions to fit my Ranger. I wonder why) but I do have Cragar’s which look pretty similar!