So I've been given the green light by SWMBO to do the Challenge again in $2018, and I will most likely be running something that uses the 5x114.3 bolt pattern. I know older Mustang wheels are popular & cheap, but is there anything else I'm missing? 245-255 width tires would be the plan, so maybe an 8" wide wheel? 16" or 17" wheel would be the goal, but I'm not sure which size is better for finding cheap used track slicks. Other thoughts I have are Nissan 300ZX wheels (Z32, which are 16x7.5 or 16x8.5) or Nissan 350Z rear wheels (some were 17x8).
Wish I could join you all this year at the Challenge! Good luck to you all!
https://www.wheel-size.com/
Search by rim dia and width then for offset and center bore add a lot of tolerance.
Tire selection is better for 17"
In reply to akylekoz :
Nice, that's a helpful site, I haven't seen that one before. I've found a few others, but it's always nice to hear about real world results, too. Thanks!
RedGT
Dork
10/10/17 8:11 a.m.
It depends what you are putting them on, but 5 lug mazda wheels are 5x114. Some 17's, many 16's in junkyards on Mazda3's and Mazda6's but they're heavy. On the off chance you find someone selling NC Miata 17's for cheap, they're very light for what they are.
People always seem to over look Infiniti in their Craigslist searches. Some came from the factory with wider wheels.
They may not be plentiful or cheap but if you can find them, OEM FD wheels are 5x114.3, 16x8 and said to weigh as little as 14 lbs depending on the year.
I have a set of 16 x 7.5 45 offset with mostly worn Blizzaks that you can have for $100.
Last years Mazda 5 winter wheels, they also fit 3's and my mustang with spacers.
Stampie said:
People always seem to over look Infiniti in their Craigslist searches. Some came from the factory with wider wheels.
I'm picking up some Infinity wheels with snows tomorrow for my 5. 17 x 7 45 offset, and they look nice.
04-08 Acura TL's came stock wiht 17x8 +45 wheel in the 5x114.3. The trick is finding a set not already bent because they were made with butter.
17x8s from a New Edge Mustang GT are relatively low offset and fit a 245 perfectly. Not super heavy either, IIRC.
As stated above, Mustangs, Rangers, Nissan, Infiniti...
My go to is Jeep Cherokee. We run them on our Chumpcar. They are 15 x 7.5 but measure very close to the 15 x8 Bassett steel wheels we also run.
You can get a few different variations of a 245 40 15 in super sticky street tire compounds (Hankook RS4, Maxxis, and a few others).
if you are looking just for autocross and a few drag runs, any Chump or Lemons team will probably give you a set of cast offs that dont have enough meat to go 7 hours....
In reply to Stampie :
Yeah, I think some of the rear G35 coupe wheels were 17x8, just like the rear of some 350Zs. I had Infiniti I30t wheels on my Maxima at the $2015 Challenge, but they were just 17x7 and I ran 225 width tires.
Thanks for all the helpful info, guys!
Oh, and Stampie, what were the orange wheels on your Q45 for the $2016 Challenge (pic in the magazine)? I know I've seen them before, just can't place them for the life of me.
In reply to sethmeister4 :
They're American Racing 18x9s. Not sure of the model and they were originally all black. They'll be on the car at the Challenge if you want to look closer. Now that I think about it they might be American Muscle. I'll try and look tonight.
be weary of center bore sizes too, this could bite you.
They are American Muscle.
In reply to Stampie :
Cool, thanks. I won't be at this years Challenge to see them, and 18x9's would be a bit too big. Good luck!
wvumtnbkr said:
As stated above, Mustangs, Rangers, Nissan, Infiniti...
My go to is Jeep Cherokee. We run them on our Chumpcar. They are 15 x 7.5 but measure very close to the 15 x8 Bassett steel wheels we also run.
You can get a few different variations of a 245 40 15 in super sticky street tire compounds (Hankook RS4, Maxxis, and a few others).
if you are looking just for autocross and a few drag runs, any Chump or Lemons team will probably give you a set of cast offs that dont have enough meat to go 7 hours....
I’m looking for a second set of wheels for just this reason. I want to steal the cast offs from my own Lemons team. Coincidentally my car takes the same size as the race car.
at a goodwill here there is a pair of mustang 5 spokes they are 17 x 9 and for 49.95 for the pair might work for you. they were nice
Bobzilla said:
04-08 Acura TL's came stock wiht 17x8 +45 wheel in the 5x114.3. The trick is finding a set not already bent because they were made with butter.
So...they'd be better for winter use 
