Obviously it's more than the sheer number of spokes, (material type, barrel/lip engineering for example), but I think there's a reason John is sticking with more spokes for the CCW C10 (10 spoke) and C14 (14 spoke) that he recommends for track cars.

BTW, that post I quoted about the bent D-Force wheels was the 3rd I found like that.

Enjoy your wheels, Mark. If they hold up for you, then you've saved a bunch of money. If you bend the odd wheel, you can get it repaired. You can fix a bunch of them before you'd equal the $$$ for stronger wheels.

Cheers,

 

I can confirm that Fikses also bend

 

I wouldn't worry about the amount of space between spokes being an issue as far as supporting the barrel is concerned. After all, the inboard end of the barrel has no spokes.

 

...but then again the inboard end of the barrel doesn't normally have much load on it. The outboard end can nail the curbing when under strong cornering loads, etc.

I don't know enough about the physics of a good track wheel design, but I'm sure curious about it. Kodiak is about an hour from me and the local PCA chapter was going to organize a tech night there. If that happens (or when I'm out that way next), I'll talk with them about wheel design issues.

I'm always curious about these things.

Cheers,

 

I have some interest in these as well for my 986-S.

 

Finally caught up with this thread. I'll be interested in the buy as well, pending fitment on my 993 C4S. Thanks for the work Mark.

 

It's tough to pick a size. If you're really shooting for the track crowd 9's and 11's are the way to go as they'll fit under a 996 narrow and wide, 997, and also GT3's of both versions. However the rear offsets would be different so if you again wanted to make only one set size wise the 997 cars would be forced to run spacers in the rear. 18 x 11 et63 will fit narrow body 996 and is really an ideal size and offset for the car.

Of course...you then completely eliminate the possibility of getting them under a 944/968 unless they ran a 9' on all 4 corners. (even then I'm not sure a 9' will fit the front of a 944).

Tough call...I, like many others, would love to see it happen though. I even think I'd go for a set of 8.5's and 10.5's as much as I'd rather see 9's and 11's.

Andy

 

I only skim read this, but, I saw no mention of the bolt pattern. I know that BMW uses a different bolt spacing than Porsche uses. Are you getting these made with the Porsche pattern 130mm, or will adapters be required for the BMW 120mm spacing?

< ---- Happens to have a set of 1" 130mm to 120mm wheel adapters....

 

Im interested in 8.5x18 & 10.5x18...

 

Mark mentioned that the wheels will be in 5x130mm bolt pattern specifically designed for porsches...

 

On a three piece wheel there is no need to worry about a 5 spoke "bending" or not supporting the wheel shell. The center will not compress or come out of round and cause the wheel shell to bend. A center will crack before this would happen. Things could be different on a one piece cast wheel however.

In terms of the the wheel shells, the inner sees more load than the outer on + offset wheels. The material choice, heat treat and design of the shell play significant roles in it's strenght. 6061 T6 makes for a better product than 5000 series. I have seen 6061 parts made from .190 that when tested flex less than a similar 5000 series part made from .250.

There are variances in the way parts are designed in the area of the tire well that can have an effect on the stiffness of the part as well.

Cheers

 

I'm interested in a set if the sizes produced will fit a narrow body 964. Maybe an 8" and a 9" or 9.5" width?

 

I would have interest in an 8 front 9 rear x 17 for the 964

 

Interested in 997 widebody sizes.

 

964/993 NB 18s would be great.