sharkster

The SharkWerks gang has always been keen on weight savings and not just adding power. Hence, if you're going to change wheels we always think it's fine it they "look nice" but we've always wanted something that's forged, strong and yet lighter than what you're taking off. (Less is more in terms of unsprung weight and rotational inertia for optimal acceleration, handling and braking performance). Designed specifically for track and street applications we've partnered with HRE to outfit our 3.9L 996GT3 project with their new 18 inch R40 one-piece forged (using 6061-T6 forged aluminum) wheels in crazy blue (a la GT3RS in Ze Europe). The R40 is available in 18” diameter and widths ranging from 8.5” – 12” in Multi-lug and Center Lock versions (soon-ish). Note the rattle-gun friendly open dish shape for fast wheel changes! The R40 wheel was derived from and used on race cars that won the 2010 Grand-Am GS Championship.

Let's start off with the factory 996GT3 wheels (also pleasing on the eye) which on the 996GT3 were considered somewhat "light". The stock rears with stock 295/30/18 Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires mounted are 56.5 pounds:


After the tire is removed the wheel itself comes in at 28.5 (not too shabby):


And over to the fronts with the stock tires mounted (48 pounds):


No doubt these aren't the lightest tire but here's the front wheel with the tire off (25.2 pounds):


Here's the front 18x8.5 HRE wheel weighing in at 18.3 pounds:


And now mounted with the same stock tire (40.5 pounds):


Over to the rear 11 inch wheel coming in at 20.2 pounds:


And with the tire installed it comes in at 47 pounds (check the machining on the inside of the spokes):


What we have here folks is a pretty neat weight cut of 8.3 pounds per corner in the rear and 6.9 pounds per corner in the front. That's a total of 30.4 pounds. It all starts to add up with the 54 pounds taken off of the rear, the light-weight seats, battery, brakes etc... With the wheels themselves being comparable in price to a new set of these factory GT3 wheels lighter is the way we're going

Rear wheels installed:


Front wheels installed. And yes we've got the 8-piston Brembo GTR brake kit to fit with plenty of room to spare. For those of you with PCCB's 18s is not an issue:


On her way home:

aussie jimmy

----------------------------------------------please, no hahaha

Backmarker

I used to mock HREs as a more money than brains brand

Then I got my GT3, which came with two sets of forged 3 piece HRE wheels

They rock, even the 3 piece ones are way lighter than the stock gt3 wheels

FFaust

That's a big weight saving. Wheels look very sharp, and I guess that means that they would do custom colours...?

SH || NC

I'm definitely on board with light, forged wheels, and I know the RS theme here, but that color on those wheels doesn't do the car any favors. I'd take mine in brushed.

sharkster

Hehe well it's an homage to the Euro RS that had blue or red wheels. We never had those and I figured it'd be out attempt at it... No doubt it's out there:P I just couldn't do brushed/black since I've always done that in the past heh
Thank you and yes they will do them in any color etc...
Absolutely... their CTO is a big proponent of 18s and track wheels... When folks want 20s we want 18s instead and they're supportive of that. The Competition line of wheels in 2005 really changed things into that direction
Ahhh jimmy but...

cfjan

How much is a set of these bad boyz? Just curious..

sharkster

About 4800.

FFaust

Hmm, cause I'm thinking that it might be fun to pay my own kind of homage to the silver/orange 997.1 RS, a car that I did not like at first, but that is strangely growing on me to the point of mild obsession. Some wheels, a couple of stripes, and voila

Or is it the 918 RSR theme?

DanH

Great weight saving. Don't think they suit the car massively, but not an unattractive wheel of itself.

ex10psi

nice looking wheels!

interesting to note... when i weighed my stock wheels with nitto nt01 tires, rears came in at 58 lbs and front at 51 lbs. it appears the nt01 tires are a bit heavier than the PS2 tires in this thread.

Serge944

Too bad the HREs don't look half as good as stock. Such is life - function over form.

Backmarker

Especially my yellow ones

SH || NC

Were the NT01 and the PS2 the same sizes?

You have yellow stock wheels? Any pics?

FFaust

Was going to ask the same thing