Lightest Wheels Available

[bigtbone]

I'm new to the site. Looking at taking the plunge and picking up an Elise. I come from the motorcycle performance world and only want the best (meaning: lightest and strongest) components available. Given that explanation what are the recommendations and reasons? Thanks

[Jbone]

15/16 setup:
Volk CE28 are the lightest although I prefer the Volk TE37.

16/17 setup:
The best set of wheels are the RAC Monolites IMO :drool . They are lighter than all the stock wheels while being wider.

If you search those names, you'll find lots of pics and info.

[bigtbone]

I've heard good things about Work wheels, but I've never seen a set in person. Thoughts?

[cpforyou]

Originally Posted by Jbone

15/16 setup:
Volk CE28 are the lightest although I prefer the Volk TE37.

16/17 setup:
The best set of wheels are the RAC Monolites IMO :drool . They are lighter than all the stock wheels while being wider.

If you search those names, you'll find lots of pics and info.

For 16/17 setup, the lightest are not RAC Monolites.

RAC Monolites are 11.5lbs front & 13.4 lbs rear if you're looking for 16x7.0" and 17x8.0" wheels respectively.

However, for stock sizes, the lightest is TRMotorsport F1 from TireRack. It's 10.5lbs front, & 12.0lbs rear.

Originally Posted by bigtbone

I've heard good things about Work wheels, but I've never seen a set in person. Thoughts?

Work wheels don't make sizes for the Lotus. You see them mainly on Honda/Acuras, and other "import rice rockets."

[Matt in Houston]

The TRM F1's are the lightest in stock sport package sizes...

They are priced well, too! I didnt like the polished lip, so I had them painted.

[bigtbone]

Thanks. I looked at the monolites. Nice wheels......they are certainly proud of them. Its too bad BST doesnt make carbon wheels for the Elise.

[lancer360]

I have the Volk CE28n's in 15x7/16x8 setup and love them. They allow you to run the Toyo RA1s which are a significantly cheaper alternative to the A048's and some people even like the Toyo's better. For HPDE events where it isn't a contest, the Toyo's offer way more bang for the buck (almost as much grip for way less money). The draw back to them is the slightly higher sidewall which makes turn in not as crisp as the A048's. Lightweight does pay off. With my list of mods, I am able to make noticeable gains on a stock Elise on a straightaway.

Do a search on the CE28's and you will find lots of pictures. I also just posted a video of a good discussion I had with Nick Adams the Lotus Chief Engineer regarding tire sizes and other items.

[ewalberg]

if you want the lightest and strongest then 15/16 is intrinsically stronger for a given weight than the factory sizes, and is also correspondingly lighter since it doesn't have to be as heavy to be as strong as necessary.

Sector 111 might still have some SJ legerro's in stock which are next only to the CE28's and they're in stock if they have them... if not, i don't know if they'll still get them for you.

[Jbone]

Originally Posted by ewalberg

if you want the lightest and strongest then 15/16 is intrinsically stronger for a given weight than the factory sizes, and is also correspondingly lighter since it doesn't have to be as heavy to be as strong as necessary.

Sector 111 might still have some SJ legerro's in stock which are next only to the CE28's ...

According to http://www.wheelweights.net, the TE37 are next after CE28's;
Volk CE28
15x7 9.1lbs
16x8 12.9

Volk TE37
15x7 9.2
16x8 13.3

SJ legerro's
15x7 11.3
16x8 14.7

Originally Posted by Matt in Houston

The TRM F1's are the lightest in stock sport package sizes...

They are priced well, too! I didnt like the polished lip, so I had them painted.

Those look awesome!

[lancer360]

The don't make the Volk TE37's in the right offsets in the 15/16 combo only 16/17.

[shay2nak]

the offset would be the same no matter what the diameter of the wheel, right? How about the width? If the rim is wider than stock, should it have the same offset?

[lancer360]

You can't always run the same offset with smaller wheels. It depends on the clearance of the wheel to the suspension bits (mainly up front). The smaller wheels move the rim closer to the suspension arms so you may need to have less positive offset to move the wheel further outboard so that a full steeing lock you don't have a problem with the wheel hitting the suspension arms.

The offset is measured from the centerline of the wheel. If you go with wider wheels, you often have to change the offset since many cars have very little room to go wider to the inside so you have to change the offset so all of the extra width goes to the outside.

[Gideon]

Originally Posted by cpforyou

Work wheels don't make sizes for the Lotus. You see them mainly on Honda/Acuras, and other "import rice rockets."

There actually are a number of Work Wheels that are available in Lotus Fitment... not the lightest however. Their quality though is top notch.

[shay2nak]

those wheels have got to be 8" and 9" wide.