So, a related story. Several years ago, I was running at Roebling. While in the fast, long Turn 3, I started to think: Is everything that holds this car together up to spec and properly torqued?
That can make you back off a bit.
Photography by David S. Wallens
Does it matter what lug nuts you run? After all, they only secure your wheels to the car, right?
When we converted our BMW M3 from wheel bolts to studs, we splurged and added some quick-change coated lug nuts to the order.
[Project BMW M3: Installing Wheel Studs and Wheel Spacers]
Those parts all came from the BimmerWorld catalog, with each lug retailing for about $5–about on par for a competition-grade metric lug nut. According to our scale, each lugs weighs about 1.2 ounces.
Were the yellow lugs overkill? Did we need this race-ready hardware for the street?
Or does it offer peace of mind knowing that these lug nuts are engineered for the rigors of NASCAR racing, meaning precision machining; recessed threads that help prevent cross-threading; slightly rounded heads for easy tool engagement; and a baked-on, heat-resistant, high-visibility coating?
If they’re good enough for BimmerWorld’s IMSA effort, they’re good enough for us, right?
Plus, come on, they look cool.
When we realized that Miatas and BMWs both use 12x1.5 lugs with a 60-degree taper, we headed back to the BimmerWorld catalog for another set.
And, again, they look cool.
So, a related story. Several years ago, I was running at Roebling. While in the fast, long Turn 3, I started to think: Is everything that holds this car together up to spec and properly torqued?
That can make you back off a bit.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
What're your thoughts and do you have any experience with titanium nuts? I'm fancying the Titan 7 set a bit.
In reply to Gettingoldercarguy :
I have never run them, but let me ping someone who might.
Gettingoldercarguy said:In reply to David S. Wallens :
What're your thoughts and do you have any experience with titanium nuts? I'm fancying the Titan 7 set a bit.
It seems an awful lot of money to save, what, a pound between all of them? Especially since lug nuts are a consumable that gets replaced once a year (at least in a race car context).
My M3 has the yellow NASCAR-style lug nuts on it. The color does make them easier to find when they roll under the car, and none of them have cross-threaded, galled, or seized onto the studs yet (I had one or two Gorilla nuts that did that on the Miata over the years).
And here's an aluminum lug nut on the same scale:
What brand? I can't remember. I bet they're 15+ years old. Note that many of those years were spent stationary.
Here they are in action. They sit a tick tall.
And a detail shot of the threads:
Long as they are tall with a flange for frantic midrace flat removal, the weight is not what makes me slow.
@codrus @bearmtnmartin
Yeah, it's a silly expenditure. And I'm so free of talent it'll probably make me slower. But I like them and I like throwing money at my car.
In reply to Gettingoldercarguy :
I bought a set of wheels and the seller included a set of titan7 titanium lugnuts. I wouldn't have bought them myself, but they are very light and high quality. I have removed them at least a half dozen times in the last 2 weeks and have been checking to make sure they stay torqued to spec and are working great.
Gettingoldercarguy said:Yeah, it's a silly expenditure. And I'm so free of talent it'll probably make me slower. But I like them and I like throwing money at my car.
There's nothing wrong with buying them just because they're cool. :)
They're challenge budget exempt, so they're worth doing.
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