Stock Wheels--Budget Build

[john g]

I am nearing the go cart stage of my budget build 818S based on a 2006 WRX donor. I am trying to hold down costs and would therefore like to use the stock wheels (17 inch) and possibly the donor rear tires (245/45/17 Continental). Any suggestions? Is this a false economy?

John

[Pearldrummer7]

Can you use those? I believe the answer is yes.

However...bang per buck, tires are one of the best performance mods you can do. I wouldn't be afraid to test with stock wheels/tires but for actual karting/autox/etc etc I would grab something that shows off the awesome handling of the 818.



Just my $0.02

[flynntuna]

The 818 was first of all designed to use as much from the donor as possible. That said, this is your build their is nothing wrong using the stock wheels(so long as their not damaged). Up grading is part of the beast, when you do it, and what parts to upgrade will be determined by your goals for the car. So IMHO decide what the priorities for your build are and as the budget allows, go for it!
We here at the forum are good at making suggestions to spend your money, take that with a grain of salt. Just remember it's your car, your goals.

[68GT500MAN]

Nothing wrong with using the stock wheels and tires. Once you get the car on the road and start driving you will know when you need more tire.
Doug

[Oppenheimer]

If you are on a budget, one suggestion is to put your $ into things you can't do later or that are difficult to do later. Wheels and tires are about the easiest thing to upgrade later.

[Hindsight]

Limited slip is a must IMHO. It's really a safety thing.

[RM1SepEx]

1.5 inch spacers in the rear, about 1/2 inch in the front and you will be fine. w/o spacers they don't fill the wheel wells and look fugly. That's what I'm doing for now, wheels come later

[Buzz Skyline]

Do you need to install longer lugs if you use spacers that thick?

-Buzz

[68GT500MAN]

Your lugs need to be long enough so that when the wheel and spacer are mounted that at least three threads show past the nut.
Doug

[john g]

Thanks for the replies so far.

For wheel spacers, will a 1/2 inch spacer in the front solve the frame clearance problem with my stock 225/45/17 tires? That would be an easy and inexpensive fix that could get me going and through safety inspection.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

John
Take a look at my thread
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?12534-MRG-MotorSports-818S-Build&p=172901#post172901

I running stock impreza wheels. 16x6.5 55et with 225/45R16 tires. 24" diameter with good clearance. To run wider tires I will have go to lower offset.
Bob

[Kalstar]

I am not a vendor, just passing a deal along. I meet this company last year at SEMA and they send me their specials weekly. They are gearing up for SEMA this year and sent me a price list a few days back. Basically $66 for 16" $70 for 17" and $80 for 18". The wheels look great in person. Shipping is $50-$60 depending where you live. So for alittle over $300 you can have new wheels, sell your stockers and it is even less. The offsets are 38mm to 48mm.

http://www.pinnaclewheel.com/drag-concepts/#mg

[RM1SepEx]

Do you need to install longer lugs if you use spacers that thick?

-Buzz

Yes my rear spacers are bolt on with separate lugs, the front spacers req longer lugs too, I had to grind a wee bit off one side of the lugs "head" to install them when mounted on the car. I bought longer studs and cut them to proper length