LOOK..16x8 lightweight SHO rims!!!!

[shomesomesho]

Well, for those of you who've been wanting to get a set of those elusive, holy grail 16x8 SHO rims, I have located a retailer 18racing.com willing to have them made for us.

This is what they look like:



The specs are:

Rota "Slipstream" rims, 16x8
17 lbs. (1 lb. lighter than a stock 16x6 slicer, and 2 inches wider!!)
37 mm offset
5x108 SHO bolt pattern
63.4 mm SHO-specific hubcentric center bore (no need for plastic centering rings that melt under the heat of hard braking!!!)
Confirmed price of $585 shipped (set of 4)
see link for available colors

These would make very nice street rims, and even better track/autocross rims. They are lighter and cheaper than most 17 or 18's. You can run big, fat 245 or wider size tires with them. Ride quality is not as harsh compared with 17 or 18's. Tires for 16" rims are significantly cheaper than those for 17 or 18's, which becomes important for track/autocross use where tire lifespan is fairly short.

Since this is a custom order, they require a minimum order of 5 sets to have them made, along with a deposit of $200 to the distributor. The wait time is 3-4 months.

Right now I am gauging interest for a possible group buy. Since I'm in for 2 sets, we need at least 3 more buyers to get an order going.

So let's get it rolling!! Who wants in? :type: :type: :type:

 

[SHO M0nk3y]

Any major up side to 8" wide rims for the SHO??

 

[SeanMc]

He's an autocrosser, so yeah.

 

[shomesomesho]

Any major up side to 8" wide rims for the SHO??

Because "wider is better"!!

Basically you can run wider rubbers (245 and higher). More rubber to the ground, more traction. More traction, go faster!! I'm looking at running 255's in front and 245's in the rear.

Generally, the price you pay for wider rims is more weight. These rims however, are an exception. They remain very lightweight despite the 8" width. Less weight, less rotational mass, better acceleration, etc.

They are lighter than the standard 16x6 slicers!!!

 

[Jonny Cash]

34mm offset.. Theyd probably stick out a bit Id imagine.

Count me in for all black. Id actually prefer 17's though.

 

[shomesomesho]

Some pics of these wheels on Suby's (sorry no SHO pics yet).

 

[adidas_kn]

Wow! Good Find Shomesomesho! Are 16's the only size they will be made in or just in the first batch? They are available in all the colors shown correct?

 

[shomesomesho]

Wow! Good Find Shomesomesho! Are 16's the only size they will be made in or just in the first batch? They are available in all the colors shown correct?

Just the 16's for now. The 17 are significantly heavier.

I figure there's quite a few track heads out there looking for lightweight 16x8's so hopefully you guys will jump on this.

I'm waiting to hear back regarding which colors are available. :type: :type: :type:

 

[BlackonBlack89]

Nice find.


Do they clear 13" brakes like the team dynamics 16 in wheels did???. Just curious

 

[Shoaz]

Any idea regarding the construction and materials? i.e., are they forged or cast? Aluminum alloy?

Their website doesn't say much about the details.

 

[Jonny Cash]

Im dreaming about 245-45-16 Toyo Ra1's right about now

Another question, are these weight rated for the heavy Taurus? Most people stray from lightweight forged wheels in fear of cracking them.

 

[shomesomesho]

Nice find.


Do they clear 13" brakes like the team dynamics 16 in wheels did???. Just curious

It's possible, but I don't know for sure. Probably should assume they don't until proven otherwise.

 

[shomesomesho]

Any idea regarding the construction and materials? i.e., are they forged or cast? Aluminum alloy?

Their website doesn't say much about the details.

They are cast aluminum - link.

Regarding weight rating, I don't have any numbers but I will ask the retailer when I speak with him later today.

I figure if they are widely used in an abusive setting like motorsports on similar weight Suby WRX's and Legacy's (3100 to 3400 lbs.) they're OK for the SHO.

 

[zak]

If you talk to them, can you ask them whether the hub face can be machined to give say a 37 mm offset? As I'm running 16 x 8's with RA1s right now I have a feel for the exact offset requirements . . . . and might be in for a second set - zak

 

[shomesomesho]

If you talk to them, can you ask them whether the hub face can be machined to give say a 37 mm offset? As I'm running 16 x 8's with RA1s right now I have a feel for the exact offset requirements . . . . and might be in for a second set - zak

As this is a custom order I'm almost certain that can be done. I'll get answers to all these questions in a bit.

Im dreaming about 245-45-16 Toyo Ra1's right about now.

Heh, heh. . . YEP!!!

Or maybe even 255's in front and 245's in the rear which is what I'll be doing!! Z06's will hate me!!

 

[Shoaz]

Looks like a good find.

It looks like you're already on top of the offset issue, make sure that can be addressed. Also be careful of the hub bore; see if you can either get it sized for the SHO hub or sized so that you can use standard hub rings. Basically, just make sure there's a way to get them hub-centric.

It'd be hard for me to justify buying another set of wheels. These do look to have good potential if the details can be worked out.

 

[shomesomesho]

OK, some more info:

- We can get them in 37mm offset, so that is what I will order. The whole order has to be one uniform offset.

- All the colors are available, but for the group buy we have to select only ONE color. If we order 10 or more sets, we can select two colors. I have no preference for color since I will be painting them black anyway. So we need to come to a consensus on a single color. Might I suggest "Steel Gray spokes with Polished Lip"?

- I will order them with in the SHO-specific 63.4mm hubcentric centerbore which will eliminate the need for that pesky centering ring. You track guys with your super hot brakes won't have to worry about melting those cheap plastic centering rings anymore.

- Since this is a custom order, the price will be slightly higher than the retail $585 for rims that are already in stock on the shelf. I am told ~$600 but more on this in a bit.

 

[shomesomesho]

Gentlemen-

I am setting up an official group buy for these 16x8 rims. Have 2 commitments so far (need 5 total to get them produced), so now's the time to jump in.

See details 1st post above or in the group buy thread which will appear shortly (pending approval by the group buy moderator).

P.S. zak and jonny cash, you guys had indicated potential interest. Please let me know if you are definitely in or not.

 

[K-Dawg]

How much do the 17x8s weigh?

 

[shomesomesho]

How much do the 17x8s weigh?

17x8's are a lot heavier at 20-21 lbs. Combine that with a 23 lb 245 width tire and you're up to a hefty 44 lbs. Too heavy if you ask me. Heftier price tag as well at $675.

With the 16x8's you keep it at 39-40 lbs. rim+tire (245 width). Same nice, wide width, and 4 lbs. lighter per corner. That's 16lbs. total less rolling weight!