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      04-15-2013, 10:44 PM   #1
Fen335i
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Options for lightweight 18's for track

Curious what folks are running brand/model wise for track days. I'm running an aftermarket 18, but when I bought them I made the mistake of making them "multi-purpose" and using the same wheels during the winter for my winter tire setup. Hindsight is 20/20 of course and wish I would have gone with a much lighter set of 18's.

Who makes the lightest (but not compromising strength) track wheel out there that is competitive price-wise? Volk's? BBS? Others?

Has anyone done a comparison to see what they weigh compared to the OEM 18's the car came with?
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      04-16-2013, 02:13 AM   #2
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TE37SL's are going to be your best bet. One of the lightest, strongest, and moderately priced. Doesn't hurt that they are backed by a long history of racing.
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      04-16-2013, 09:51 AM   #3
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^ditto. Easy pick
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      04-16-2013, 09:55 AM   #4
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Best for the money is Apex, best overall (IMO) is TE37.
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      04-16-2013, 10:48 AM   #5
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The Apex ARC8 are light and cheap and available in a few offsets. I run my 18 x 9.5 and 18 x 10.5 on the street, but they are race proven by many others.
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      04-16-2013, 10:56 AM   #6
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I was interested in the ARC8's until I learned that a few people bent them at Laguna. That's not to say that another wheel wouldn't have gotten bent in the same scenario, but the fact that it happened to more than one person kept me away. But I agree, probably the best track wheel on a tighter budget.
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      04-16-2013, 10:59 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by radiantm3 View Post
TE37SL's are going to be your best bet. One of the lightest, strongest, and moderately priced. Doesn't hurt that they are backed by a long history of racing.
+1
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      04-16-2013, 01:26 PM   #8
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Thanks Guys...Looks like the ARC8's are quite a bit cheaper. Weight wise I found 19.4 lbs for the 18x10.5 Volk SE37 and the Arc8 18x10.5 was 20.45lbs. So, you save roughly 1 lb per corner with the much more expensive Volk's.

Are the Volk's a lot stronger than the Apex Arc8 wheels? Why such a large variation in price. Forged vs Cast???? I obviously need to do more reading. ;-)
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      04-16-2013, 01:41 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by radiantm3 View Post
I was interested in the ARC8's until I learned that a few people bent them at Laguna. That's not to say that another wheel wouldn't have gotten bent in the same scenario, but the fact that it happened to more than one person kept me away. But I agree, probably the best track wheel on a tighter budget.
I did not know about this bending. What were the circumstances? I have had mine for a couple of years and during that time have read almost exclusively positive reviews. Even if you did have bad luck and bend one, it is relatively cheap to replace. If they are bending all the time, that is another story.
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      04-16-2013, 01:48 PM   #10
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I use Enkei NT03+M in 18x10 ET25 size. They were pretty cheap when I bought them. They are relatively light (20.5 lb) and are holding up very well after 60+ track days (and I do ride the curbs ).

http://www.enkei.com/nt03m.shtml#
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      04-16-2013, 02:19 PM   #11
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I run TE37 SLs. Lightweight and strong. I picked up a used set on the forum classifieds.
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      04-16-2013, 02:53 PM   #12
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I have the Tire Rack TR Motorsport MT1. 18X10 ET25, weight 20.0 lbs.
I believe that Enkei make them for TR. They've worked well for me and are on for 329.00 each. Only had them for one season, about 12 days so far, but holding up great.
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      04-16-2013, 03:17 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fen335i View Post
Thanks Guys...Looks like the ARC8's are quite a bit cheaper. Weight wise I found 19.4 lbs for the 18x10.5 Volk SE37 and the Arc8 18x10.5 was 20.45lbs. So, you save roughly 1 lb per corner with the much more expensive Volk's.

Are the Volk's a lot stronger than the Apex Arc8 wheels? Why such a large variation in price. Forged vs Cast???? I obviously need to do more reading. ;-)
Arc8's 18x10 square have my vote. A perfect setup is currently for sale here: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=829070
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      04-16-2013, 03:22 PM   #14
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Hard to beat the Apex Arc-8 for the price vs. weight.
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      04-16-2013, 05:05 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ortho281 View Post
Hard to beat the Apex Arc-8 for the price vs. weight.
+1


and if you get them in satin black they match your brake dust and you never have to clean them...
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      04-16-2013, 06:13 PM   #16
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APEX wheels are VIA/JWL tested and certified, as are VOLK wheels. Being certified means they're strong enough for our cars. It doesn't matter if they're forged or not.
If someone bent an APEX wheel, they hit something pretty damn hard.

.
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Let me get this straight... You are swapping out parts designed by some of the top engineers in the world because some guys sponsored by a company told you it's "better??" But when you ask the same guy about tracking, "oh no, I have a kid now" or "I just detailed my car." or "i just got new tires."
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      04-16-2013, 06:34 PM   #17
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      04-16-2013, 07:39 PM   #18
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my vote is also with the apex. i am going to pick up a set of arc 8s to use for street wet tire to go along with my ec-7s i already have for nt01s or slicks.
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      04-16-2013, 08:09 PM   #19
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APEX got my vote as well, can't beat the price. They're light as any other track wheel and look great to boot. You can get close to three sets for one set of VOLKS, so even if you bend one it ain't no thing.

Of course who wouldn't want some sweet VOLKS!
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      04-16-2013, 08:21 PM   #20
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Thanks All. yea, seems for the price Apex Arc8's are tough to beat.
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      04-16-2013, 08:36 PM   #21
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Only issue with arc-8's is BBK clearance, and for a track wheel that could be something to consider.
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      04-16-2013, 08:46 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by klammer View Post
Only issue with arc-8's is BBK clearance, and for a track wheel that could be something to consider.
Good point Klammer! Thank you. I'm still stock brake wise (I just upgrade to a track pad and fluid for track days at this point)...but still good to know.
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