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Hello,

 I'm a newbie hoping someone here can help with a wheel selection question.  I'm going to start autocrossing, and a friend has a set of tires he's going to give me for next to nothing, but I need to upgrade to 17" wheels on a '92 Camaro.  It currently has 16's, and of course never came with 17's from the factory.  So in searching I've found that some wheels implicitly state not for autocross or road racing use, and the majority of other wheels don't say anything about being approved for the same use.  I even called SLP and American Racing and asked if their wheels were approved for autocrossing and the reply was no.   I'm wondering if this is simply them covering their rear ends, and should I even be worried about it unless they say it's not for autocross use.  So I guess my questions are:  1)  How worried should I be about selecting an aftermarket wheel for autocrossing (car is all factory except for a Flowmaster muffler)?  2) Is there something I should look for in an aftermarket wheel? 3) Any suggestions?

 Thanks for your help in advance.

Changing wheel size (diameter, width) would take you out of stock, and if you're just getting started, street tires are just fine.

As far as your other questions:

1) Most manufacturers have only a limited knowledge of solo/autocross, so they may or may not know what you're talking about when you call. If they don't, the easiest answer is "no."

2) Light, strong, cheap -- pick any two. If I were to sacrifice anything, it would be "light" (but then again, I am a cheap bastage). Do NOT sacrifice strong.

3) Tirerack.com -- they have people there who autocross and can make good suggestions. Also, by just running locally on your street tires, it also gives you a chance to meet local people who can give you suggestions. 

---

Glenn L. Austin, Computer Wizard and Race Car Driver
2005 Ultra Yellow Nissan 350Z Track Model
2007 Packwood ProSolo "first loser" (0.081)
2007 SCCA Solo National Championships - 10th place

 

In terms of stress, I would think the peak loads from hitting a big bump on the street is much worse than anything you would encounter in an autocross or road course.  Plus of course, street oriented wheels are expected to last the life of the vehicle, where some racing wheels might be acceptable with a shorter life, and be expected to receive frequent inspections.  So for autocross, you might want to avoid ultra lightweight drag race wheels (and to a lesser extent, ultra light road race wheels), but otherwise wheel strength shouldn't be an issue.  

Lighter is better for performance, but as Glen points out you typically pay more or give up some strength to get it.  Don't buy wheels before you look at what tires are availible to fit them.  But tire selection in 17" should be better than 16".  Is the width & offset/backspace right to fit your car?  For stock classes, width most be the same as stock and offset has to be close to stock.

 
In short, any aftermarket wheel of the right size should work.  At least look at the weight, as some of the wheels designed for style are ridiculously heavy.
 

---

Bruce Funderburg
'02 CMC 7 - DM
'04 Subaru WRX STi - STU

It will be of little avail ... if the laws [or rules] be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood...
Alexander Hamilton

Jonda99,

  I may have a set of 17 that I used to run on my 88 Firebird they are CCW and 17 x 11, if your interested.

Mark Madarash

These would fall squarely into the LIGHT & STRONG category of the 3 options listed above!!!

madarash:

Jonda99,

  I may have a set of 17 that I used to run on my 88 Firebird they are CCW and 17 x 11, if your interested.

Mark Madarash

When I spoke to Weld about the modular "Magnum" wheels, I was told the centers would not hold up to the lateral loads. I guess Outlaw sprintcars don't corner very hard on 16" wide wheels and paper-thin shells.

When I spoke to Centerline about the modular "Convo-Pro" wheels, I was told the rivets would pull out during cornering. They would not substitute aircraft bolts (or no rivets at all) to make the sale......

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Jay Storm
96 Impreza L FSP
98 98 Impreza 2.5RS- co-driver DSP
Wives are like SCCA rules...
If she doesn't say you can...you can't

 

I suspect that these are drag racing wheels, and that the Sprint Car wheels, although they look similar are a different design (likely only available in specific sizes, like 13x8 and 13x12).

---

Bruce Funderburg
'02 CMC 7 - DM
'04 Subaru WRX STi - STU

It will be of little avail ... if the laws [or rules] be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood...
Alexander Hamilton

Thanks for all your help guys.  I'm being kind of a cheapskate right now, so I've just picked up some steel wheels.  After some of your replies, and my responses from a couple of wheel manufacturers, I'm beginning to think they are just covering their butts by telling me they're wheels are not approved for autocross.  I think I'll save my money for something I really like and go from there.  Thanks again, and wish me luck on my first try at autocrossing this weekend.