× 1-800-946-2642 Home My Account Social / Forum Articles Contact My Cart
Shop Now
Select Your Car Type Sale Items Clearance Items New Items
   Forum Width:     Forum Type: 

Found 33 Messages

Previous Set of Pages 1 | 2

 Posted: Mar 14, 2013 02:41PM
Total posts: 1456
Last post: Jan 31, 2022
Member since:Sep 8, 2003
Cars in Garage: 1
Photos: 186
WorkBench Posts: 0
CA
Image Gallery

A couple 12" options

12" x 6" Revolution with A048 21.1lbs

12" x 5" Superlight with A048 19.3lbs

10" cosmics

10" x 5" with A008 - 19.2lbs

10" x 5" , no tire - 6.9lbs

10" Starmag

10" x 5" - 6.2lbs

10" ATS Alloy

10" x 5" - 6.1lbs

Stock 10" steel 6.7 lbs


Also, I have attached a photo of the 10' A008 next to some 12" A048's, almost the same...

Sean Windrum

1996 MGF VVC
1970 1275 GT Racer
66 Austin Countryman
63 997 Cooper (Under Construction)
63 MG 1100

 

 Posted: Mar 14, 2013 02:34PM
Total posts: 1557
Last post: Sep 26, 2016
Member since:Nov 24, 2012
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Quote:
Originally Posted by miniterp

If I wanted to go fast (and I mean properly fast) I wouldnt have bought a Mini.

Horribly depressing yet sadly true.  Somebody say something uplifting please...

 Posted: Mar 14, 2013 01:00PM
Total posts: 1087
Last post: Sep 15, 2023
Member since:Nov 3, 2011
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
US

Sorry for the out of order post! I should explain that I get diverted from writing a post by other tasks here as you might imagine... It might be a work-in-progress for an entire afternoon, so yes it can look like I was not paying attention to preceding posts as I hadn't seen them!

There certainly has been some interesting data gathered here! I'm very surprised that my narrow 13s are so heavy... only the real sport-pak wheel has come in heavier, and by less than a pound!

As far as the stability theory, of course I'm talking about street driving, highway even... My car does feel very solid, really no vibration or feedback to the Momo wheel through my tilt column. Ceratainly in a race situation, unsprung weight is a huge consideration, and much more effort goes into making the car stable. My car might have 200 miles on it since a body-shell up rebuild with virtually everything that moves in the suspension brand-new.  Still, I've only eyballed the allignment so far, so am a bit surprised at such a solid feel!

 Posted: Mar 13, 2013 10:42PM
Total posts: 598
Last post: Mar 21, 2017
Member since:Apr 4, 2009
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
CA
Coincidentally I had a Spectrum 10x6 with a new Yoko A032R on the scale this morning...17.5lbs....

www.rxautoworks.com
 Posted: Mar 13, 2013 07:45PM
 Edited:  Mar 14, 2013 01:58PM
Total posts: 1716
Last post: Oct 18, 2020
Member since:Oct 18, 2011
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0

We have not yet considered whether the heavy wheels add any stability to the short "twitchy" Mini...

I would suggest both the laws of physics and custom and practice contradict this theory.  Race wheels would not be made out of magnesium and race tyres would not be of such leightweight construction if there was any truth to the proposal above.....

I was somewhat surprised to find that my 4.5x10 Minilites are a pound heavier than the 5x10 factory alloys...  Also interesting to note that Yoko (Edit: ooops) 165s are around .3" larger (in diameter) than the same size Falken when mounted on the same size wheel.....

Cheers, Ian

 Posted: Mar 13, 2013 05:38PM
Total posts: 8382
Last post: Jan 13, 2022
Member since:Feb 7, 2006
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0

My previous post Jemal factory SP wheel 15LBS.

I had 13 x 6 GKN Cosworth Vega wheels on my Aussie Moke with 185 60 13's and it drove and handled excellent for what it was with poly bushings and stock donuts / shocks, not sure what they weigh but i know they are less than SP wheels.

Lets flog it some more...............

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

 Posted: Mar 13, 2013 01:11PM
Total posts: 1087
Last post: Sep 15, 2023
Member since:Nov 3, 2011
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
US

Well, at the risk of flogging this one too far, I found some 4.5 x 10 "MINILIFEs" which tipped the scale at 7.40 lbs, and some 6 x 10 MWS wheels which are amazingly light at 6.70 lbs! I don't have any here, but I'll bet the MWS 13 x 7s are no heavier than my "MINATORS".... remember, the 12 x 5 MWS was still less than 10 lbs!  I'm begining to think MINATOR might be the supplier of the heavy sport-paks!

We have not yet considered whether the heavy wheels add any stability to the short "twitchy" Mini... Part of what keeps motorcycles stable is the rolling inertia and resistance to changing direction from the rotating mass of the wheels. My 66 feels very solid and stable for such a short light car.... Is that from the less than 2 inches of suspension travel (red coil springs and super low) and maybe 2 inches of sidewall on the A539s? Are the heavy wheels "helping"? Am I grasping at straws?

If anyone has a sport-pak and would be willing to weigh a wheel & tire, we can subtract the tire and see what that wheel weighs!

 Posted: Mar 13, 2013 12:33PM
Total posts: 1065
Last post: Feb 10, 2023
Member since:Oct 2, 2008
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
US

When I had these wheels made up I stayed away from the typical -7 offset (3.7" b.s.), so I went with a 0 offset front (4" backspacing). But then I messed it all up with -50 offset rear (2" backspacing), HA!  Here is a fairly good website to calculate fitment: //www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp 

Anyway, on to more weights for those that care.

Wheels without Tires

- 13 x 7 Performance Superlight 12.5lbs

- 10 x 6 Mini Cooper S, reversed and widened to 6 inch wide 11.68lbs.

Wheel With Tires
- 12 x 4.5 Cooper Standard Mag wheel with - 145/60/12 Yokohama 20.28lbs 

- 10 x 4.5 Mini Cooper S Steel Wheel, - 165/70/10 Dunlop Aquajet 19.84lbs

- 13 x 7.0 Performance Superlight with - 175/50/13 Sime 26.67lbs 

- 13 x 7.0 Aero Race Wheel with 175/50/13 Yoko A048r 25.8lbs

 Posted: Mar 13, 2013 11:31AM
Total posts: 8382
Last post: Jan 13, 2022
Member since:Feb 7, 2006
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0

Just weighed a factory Sports Pack wheel with about 22 gramms of weights on it and no tire 15LB exactly (well according to my bathroom scales).

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

 Posted: Mar 13, 2013 10:55AM
Total posts: 1351
Last post: Feb 24, 2024
Member since:Aug 8, 2002
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
US

One problem with wide tires and large offset wheels on a Mini is the scrub radius and it's effect on steering effort and handling. For the basics see:

//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrub_radius

As far as going fast, it's all relative. In a Mini it's relative to how tight and how closely spaced the curves are.

Kelley

"If you can afford the car, you can afford the manual..."

 Posted: Mar 13, 2013 08:34AM
Total posts: 1065
Last post: Feb 10, 2023
Member since:Oct 2, 2008
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
US

OH and fyi, my wheels are 13x7. Like I said spun formed, now that I see that other weights I am not that concerned any more. Cheers!

 Posted: Mar 12, 2013 07:42PM
Total posts: 31
Last post: Jan 30, 2015
Member since:Aug 9, 2010
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0

unsprung weight? drag coefficient? bearing wear? 

If I wanted to go fast (and I mean properly fast) I wouldnt have bought a Mini.

To each his own. 

I like my 13x7s.   (and I like your MkIs with 10x4s too) 

Cheers

 Posted: Mar 12, 2013 06:49PM
Total posts: 1309
Last post: Feb 13, 2024
Member since:Jan 28, 2005
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0

Regarding the aerodynamic drag of the Sportspack package - drag coefficient for the normal '97 Mini was .49. The Sportspack package raised it to .54, a substantial difference.

Can't see how the Sportspack wheels increased rolling resistance by a huge degree though - maybe the bearings on some of those Sportspacks had already gone bad.

I've logged over 30,000 miles on Sportspacks though (same car) and the bearings still are OK. I suppose they'll go out tomorrow after I said that, though...

 

DLY
 Posted: Mar 12, 2013 03:57PM
Total posts: 1087
Last post: Sep 15, 2023
Member since:Nov 3, 2011
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
US

Wheels off my Mini

OK, just came back from lunch with my spare stock Cooper S 10 x 4.5 steel rim with a somewhat worn (and old) A008.  Also took off one of the "MINATOR" 13 x 5s with the A539:

10 x 4.5 steel / A008: 21.25 lbs  (so the rim: 21.25 - 11.70 ~~ 9.55 with a couple weights)

13 x 5 Minator / A539 175/50-13: 28.10 lbs (yikes yikes! think what "really" big ones weigh; 13 x 5 rim: 14.2 lbs with a few balance weights so about the same as the tire if we ignore the air in it!)

A 12 x 5 MWS wheel we happen to have: 9.8 lbs. I'm thinking my Minators are chunky at better than 40% heavier!!  A lone Mamba 10 x 5 alloy wheel comes in at the lightest so far at 5.3 lbs!

I think I may have some 10 x 5 Minilites or something out in our container. I'll check and maybe add more food for thought or argument!  By the way, no making fun of my afternoon dog Air2air! Dexter is more sensitive than I... no throwing shoes!

 Posted: Mar 12, 2013 02:12PM
Total posts: 1716
Last post: Oct 18, 2020
Member since:Oct 18, 2011
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0

"Yikes, my total wheel weight is around 25.8 pounds a wheel..."

I see you Yikes and raise....

I measured some of my wheels last night (and then forgot to bring the piece of paper with me ..)

Basically though, a 4.5x10 S wheel with Falken 165 weighs around 20 pounds, a Leyland factory 5x10 alloy with Bridgestone 165 comes in a bit over 16 lbs and a 4.5x10 alloy Minilite (not mag) with an A008 is about half way between these.

Hey Mike, how about weighing one of your Minilite mags with whatever tyre they're wearing these days??

Cheers, Ian

 Posted: Mar 12, 2013 09:06AM
Total posts: 278
Last post: Jun 20, 2014
Member since:Oct 24, 2012
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0

Great info! Any chance at getting some wheels thrown on that scale, too?

 Posted: Mar 12, 2013 07:38AM
Total posts: 1065
Last post: Feb 10, 2023
Member since:Oct 2, 2008
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
US

Yikes, my total wheel weight is around 25.8 pounds a wheel. That is a 13" spun formed steel wheel, with yoko 048 medium. Roll formed adds 1 pound a wheel. Will be curious what a "normal" 10" with yoko weighs in at. My other wheels I made from a midget/sprite center weighed in a bit more, plus I was running 175/60 13 tire.

 Posted: Mar 12, 2013 05:34AM
Total posts: 8382
Last post: Jan 13, 2022
Member since:Feb 7, 2006
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0

I agree the Mini was long overdue for a re vamp and the 50's engine was long past it's prime before the 90's but the SPI's and MPI's do run smooth for a basic add on to an old design. I like you prefer the thinner 5 inch wide 13 inch wheels if you are going to run 13's as it takes less away from the original design and handling features of the Mini although the masses seem to like the SP look which is fine too.

At the end of the day like you said people admire them for what they are and however the owner has customised it to his/her own taste.

 

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

 Posted: Mar 11, 2013 10:37PM
Total posts: 1087
Last post: Sep 15, 2023
Member since:Nov 3, 2011
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
US

Thanks Mal, but remember I havn't weighed any wheels yet, just the tires so far. You'll note that I went with the narrowest 13 inch wheel as I just don't like the look of added-on flares. This photo shows the 10 inch A008 right next to the 13 inch A539- just not that much difference! (You can also see what happens with minimal arches when it rains on my long gravel driveway!) I have no doubt that the pose-pak (thanks Cheleker!) wheels are made of lead, but lets face it, that's hardly the only reason for the lackluster performance... the cars were pretty much neutered and overweight by the nineties... way too tall a final drive with wideratio gears and poorly sorted fuel injection. It was not easy to get the ancient design to pass ever tighter Euro emisions and fuel economy requirements.  Trying not to offend anyone, but think how poorly the Mini compared to say a Honda Civic from the late 90s in every meaningful way- performance, comfort, practicality, reliability, durability, fuel economy, safety, price... Only it's iconic history and cult status kept it alive!

But now we still have the last laugh. You don't see Civics or anything else for that matter being snapped up anywhere in the world, retitled to make them older, and imported to the US under all sorts of pretence to willing buyers who continue our fascination with these unique little cars.  Nothing else on wheels is more likely to draw a smile and a wave from innocent bystanders!

Oh, and the faces stuck to the school bus windows... I bet not a one has pointed to my "hideous" 13 inch wheels and said 'cool car, but what's with those big ugly wheels!'  An open mind is a wonderful thing...

 Posted: Mar 11, 2013 07:52PM
Total posts: 8382
Last post: Jan 13, 2022
Member since:Feb 7, 2006
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0

That statement may be true for aftermarket 13 x 6 or 7's MM but i feel confident the factory 13 x 6 Rover Sports Pack wheel weighs more than 2lbs more than a 10 or 12 inch wheel, i will see if i still have one and weigh it and compare it to a 10 and 12 inch wheel. BTW i have no problem with whatever anyone wants to run on his or her car i just happen to like these informative threads.

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

Found 33 Messages

Previous Set of Pages 1 | 2