Coupe/Roadster
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

18 inch wheels for the track

Old 07-27-2018, 07:14 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
BenzGTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 63 Likes on 46 Posts
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
18 inch wheels for the track

Is anyone on here running 18" front wheels on the track?
I've got a call into Forgeline to see if they can build them to clear the calipers.

Thanks.
Old 07-27-2018, 10:21 PM
  #2  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
thebishman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Overland Park, KS
Posts: 2,439
Received 949 Likes on 570 Posts
‘24 BMW iX M60
Originally Posted by BenzGTR
Is anyone on here running 18" front wheels on the track?
I've got a call into Forgeline to see if they can build them to clear the calipers.

Thanks.
I just received a set of Signature SV501s in gloss Gunmetal and couldn’t be happier with them. As I only wanted a second set of wheels for track purposes I didn’t want to spend a fortune, so I was very happy with the price on these fully forged wheels. I bought them in the OEM sizes so I could run the OEM option tyres, the Michelin SC2 ZPs. Certainly a set of 18”s will give you far more options re: tyres, and they’ll be cheaper to buy.

If you’re interested, give John Gaydos at Autoquest Mototsports a call: 239-432-1700.

Bish
Old 07-27-2018, 10:47 PM
  #3  
Member
 
ronac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 149
Received 81 Likes on 38 Posts
AMG GTS

That's my Oem 19" wheel with steel brakes. There isn't any room to go down in diameter and still clear the brakes.
Old 07-28-2018, 01:08 AM
  #4  
Member
Thread Starter
 
BenzGTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 63 Likes on 46 Posts
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
Originally Posted by thebishman


I just received a set of Signature SV501s in gloss Gunmetal and couldn’t be happier with them. As I only wanted a second set of wheels for track purposes I didn’t want to spend a fortune, so I was very happy with the price on these fully forged wheels. I bought them in the OEM sizes so I could run the OEM option tyres, the Michelin SC2 ZPs. Certainly a set of 18”s will give you far more options re: tyres, and they’ll be cheaper to buy.

If you’re interested, give John Gaydos at Autoquest Mototsports a call: 239-432-1700.

Bish
What size wheels and what track tires are you running?
Old 07-28-2018, 01:25 AM
  #5  
Member
Thread Starter
 
BenzGTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 63 Likes on 46 Posts
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
Originally Posted by ronac

That's my Oem 19" wheel with steel brakes. There isn't any room to go down in diameter and still clear the brakes.

Sure there is, with a custom wheel with a differently designed barrel. See how the factory wheel barrel has a huge "step" to it that's part of the design? I'd say that's 3/8" inch alone, so there's 3/4" out of nowhere combine from both sides, and I see a 1/4" gap between the wheel barrel and the caliper, so another half inch. So we know we can have a custom 18" wheel built and be least a couple millimeters from the caliper. I've got the same size rotors on my Viper's, and had custom built 18's that I run on the track, the clearance is EXTREMELY close and I do get barrel scoring from rocks.
There are no good sizes for slicks (Michelin or Pirelli) in sizes for the GTR in 19", hence the need for 18" wheels.
Old 07-28-2018, 11:46 AM
  #6  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
thebishman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Overland Park, KS
Posts: 2,439
Received 949 Likes on 570 Posts
‘24 BMW iX M60
Originally Posted by BenzGTR
What size wheels and what track tires are you running?
I’m running these tyres:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...oModClar=Coupe

My 501s are the OEM sizes.

Bish
Old 07-28-2018, 11:49 AM
  #7  
Member
Thread Starter
 
BenzGTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 63 Likes on 46 Posts
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
Originally Posted by thebishman


I’m running these tyres:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...oModClar=Coupe

My 501s are the OEM sizes.

Bish
Nice, those are as fast as it gets for a street tire.
The following users liked this post:
thebishman (07-28-2018)
Old 07-29-2018, 01:31 PM
  #8  
Member
Thread Starter
 
BenzGTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 63 Likes on 46 Posts
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
I ask because I'm wanting to run Michelin slicks for the track.
They make perfect sizes in 18":
27-65-18
30-68-18

These 19" sides would work if Forgeling cant make the 18's fit over the calipers, but they are a lot narrower:
24-65-19
29-67-19

On my Viper's, i run a much narrower MIchelin slick than factory sizes and they still work very well.
Old 07-30-2018, 12:30 PM
  #9  
Member
Thread Starter
 
BenzGTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 63 Likes on 46 Posts
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
Bad news, Forgeline and HRE both say they can't build an 18" to clear the front calipers. Weird because Forgeline was able to on my ACR which has the same size rotors. The GTR's caliper must be bigger.
Debating running skinny Michelins 19", or bigger hoosiers. A 240 front and 290 rear are skinny as hell, but would still be faster than the Hoosiers.
Old 07-30-2018, 12:40 PM
  #10  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
thebishman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Overland Park, KS
Posts: 2,439
Received 949 Likes on 570 Posts
‘24 BMW iX M60
Originally Posted by BenzGTR
Bad news, Forgeline and HRE both say they can't build an 18" to clear the front calipers. Weird because Forgeline was able to on my ACR which has the same size rotors. The GTR's caliper must be bigger.
Debating running skinny Michelins 19", or bigger hoosiers. A 240 front and 290 rear are skinny as hell, but would still be faster than the Hoosiers.
Talk to John Gaydos at Autoquest and see what he can do for you with Signature wheels. They ‘might’ be able to make a custom 18” wheel that will clear the caliper, but it will be a super tight fit. I’m sure you’d rather have as much tyre on the car as possible, so your above sizes seem really small, contact patch wise.

I drive to the track on my track wheels/tyres btw, that’s why I didn’t go with 19”s front and rear with Hoosiers.

Bish
Old 07-30-2018, 12:56 PM
  #11  
Former Vendor of MBWorld
 
HRE_Jurrian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vista, CA
Posts: 4,099
Received 56 Likes on 44 Posts
Widebody V8
Originally Posted by BenzGTR
Bad news, Forgeline and HRE both say they can't build an 18" to clear the front calipers. Weird because Forgeline was able to on my ACR which has the same size rotors. The GTR's caliper must be bigger.
Debating running skinny Michelins 19", or bigger hoosiers. A 240 front and 290 rear are skinny as hell, but would still be faster than the Hoosiers.
Yep, it's the caliper. Even if there was a 18" that would clear the caliper, the tolerances would be so fine that any little tiny pebble or rock that gets stuck between your caliper and the wheel will potentially destroy the wheel. Once a rock gets stuck on the caliper while at speed, it will score the inner barrel quite badly and it could in turn ruin your caliper too. Because those tolerances are so fine, we'd recommend sticking with the 19" front and 20" rear at the minimum since it's a safety concern going with smaller.
The following users liked this post:
thewb (07-30-2018)
Old 07-30-2018, 04:34 PM
  #12  
Member
Thread Starter
 
BenzGTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 63 Likes on 46 Posts
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
Originally Posted by thebishman


Talk to John Gaydos at Autoquest and see what he can do for you with Signature wheels. They ‘might’ be able to make a custom 18” wheel that will clear the caliper, but it will be a super tight fit. I’m sure you’d rather have as much tyre on the car as possible, so your above sizes seem really small, contact patch wise.

I drive to the track on my track wheels/tyres btw, that’s why I didn’t go with 19”s front and rear with Hoosiers.

Bish
A michelin slick at those skinny sizes would be MUCH faster than the Cup 2's or even Hoosiers, but yeah I'd prefer wider one's on 18's. I'm still looking into this. On my Viper's, I run a "tiny" 310 on the rear (factory is 355) and the blow away wider Hoosier's and the stock Kumho's.
Once the smaller size is stretched onto same width wheel, the actual contact patch becomes closer to the same.
The GT4 cars run 18" wheels, but might have modified calipers, check it out- https://www.mercedes-amg.com/custome...es-AMGGT4.html
Old 07-30-2018, 04:35 PM
  #13  
Member
Thread Starter
 
BenzGTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 63 Likes on 46 Posts
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
Originally Posted by HRE_Jurrian
Yep, it's the caliper. Even if there was a 18" that would clear the caliper, the tolerances would be so fine that any little tiny pebble or rock that gets stuck between your caliper and the wheel will potentially destroy the wheel. Once a rock gets stuck on the caliper while at speed, it will score the inner barrel quite badly and it could in turn ruin your caliper too. Because those tolerances are so fine, we'd recommend sticking with the 19" front and 20" rear at the minimum since it's a safety concern going with smaller.
Yes you are correct. I do get minor barrel scoring on my ACR running 18's, the clearance is like 2mm.
Old 07-30-2018, 07:13 PM
  #14  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
thebishman's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Overland Park, KS
Posts: 2,439
Received 949 Likes on 570 Posts
‘24 BMW iX M60
Originally Posted by BenzGTR
A michelin slick at those skinny sizes would be MUCH faster than the Cup 2's or even Hoosiers, but yeah I'd prefer wider one's on 18's. I'm still looking into this. On my Viper's, I run a "tiny" 310 on the rear (factory is 355) and the blow away wider Hoosier's and the stock Kumho's.
Once the smaller size is stretched onto same width wheel, the actual contact patch becomes closer to the same.
The GT4 cars run 18" wheels, but might have modified calipers, check it out- https://www.mercedes-amg.com/custome...es-AMGGT4.html
There is no doubt that a car running slicks will destroy most other cars at most events unless there is a tremendous hp discrepancy.

Do you know if those slick sizes would have the same rolling radius, or at least close to, the OEM radius? Sometimes the 'electronics' will throw a 'fit' when the radius is way off, even when ESC is fully Off.
Old 07-30-2018, 07:39 PM
  #15  
Member
Thread Starter
 
BenzGTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 63 Likes on 46 Posts
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
Originally Posted by thebishman
There is no doubt that a car running slicks will destroy most other cars at most events unless there is a tremendous hp discrepancy.

Do you know if those slick sizes would have the same rolling radius, or at least close to, the OEM radius? Sometimes the 'electronics' will throw a 'fit' when the radius is way off, even when ESC is fully Off.
Yeah, height/diameter is perfect.
Stock:
285-30-19 653mm
335-25-20 676mm

The downsize to running slicks, or even the Hoosier's, is you will get a lot more track rash. They are basically sandblasters

Michelin slicks:
27-65-18
30-68-18

The middle number represents the diameter in millimeters . So these work out perfect, just a couple millimeters difference.

Pirellis makes a slightly wider slick in the correct heights too:
255-650-19
305-690-19
But the Pirelli's cost about 40% more than the Michelin's.

If i end up having to run the Hoosier's, they will be these sizes:
295-30-19 660mm
325-30-19 678




The following users liked this post:
thebishman (07-31-2018)
Old 07-31-2018, 11:52 PM
  #16  
Member
 
V8ray's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 179
Received 84 Likes on 53 Posts
Porsche gt3 trading to amg gtr

I’m in my 3th set of Hoosier with the stock light wheels. Attached are the specs. No problem whatsoever. Just fast constant laps. Just prepare for brake pads, you will need them more often.
The following users liked this post:
thebishman (08-01-2018)
Old 08-01-2018, 01:31 PM
  #17  
Member
Thread Starter
 
BenzGTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 63 Likes on 46 Posts
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
Originally Posted by V8ray

I’m in my 3th set of Hoosier with the stock light wheels. Attached are the specs. No problem whatsoever. Just fast constant laps. Just prepare for brake pads, you will need them more often.
Nice. Hoosier just started making 20" tires not long ago. I prefer A7's they are much faster (but don't last as long) so they don't have those sizes yet for the A7's, I'd have to run:
295-30-19
325-30-19

Which tracks have you ran in it?

Last edited by BenzGTR; 08-01-2018 at 01:32 PM. Reason: ask another question
Old 08-01-2018, 01:57 PM
  #18  
Member
 
V8ray's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 179
Received 84 Likes on 53 Posts
Porsche gt3 trading to amg gtr
Originally Posted by BenzGTR
Nice. Hoosier just started making 20" tires not long ago. I prefer A7's they are much faster (but don't last as long) so they don't have those sizes yet for the A7's, I'd have to run:
295-30-19
325-30-19

Which tracks have you ran in it?
With the GTR so far only COTA.
Old 08-01-2018, 02:33 PM
  #19  
Member
Thread Starter
 
BenzGTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 63 Likes on 46 Posts
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
Originally Posted by V8ray


With the GTR so far only COTA.
ahhh cool. What time did you run there? Is your GTR the one that Adam drove in his videos?
I was just there in May with Nasa with my ACR, I went 2.21 on my 14th lap of the weekend. Amazing track, was intimidating at first. I'm going back there for the nasa nationals in September.
Old 08-01-2018, 04:56 PM
  #20  
Member
 
V8ray's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 179
Received 84 Likes on 53 Posts
Porsche gt3 trading to amg gtr
Originally Posted by BenzGTR
ahhh cool. What time did you run there? Is your GTR the one that Adam drove in his videos?
I was just there in May with Nasa with my ACR, I went 2.21 on my 14th lap of the weekend. Amazing track, was intimidating at first. I'm going back there for the nasa nationals in September.
I did a 2:21 same day Adam drove my car. He was my instructor. I was very constant but the conditions weren’t there. The track was just shaved for moto gp.
Last time a did multiple 2:23 but the heat was horrible. I’m really hoping for cooler weather after F1 and I’m sure I can break to the teens.

That was on the z07 tires for the gtr and sloppy in some areas. I can’t wait for a good condition day and Hoosiers.
I also have some custom brake pads for next time I go there.

Last edited by V8ray; 08-01-2018 at 05:02 PM.
Old 08-01-2018, 05:10 PM
  #21  
Member
Thread Starter
 
BenzGTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 63 Likes on 46 Posts
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
Originally Posted by V8ray


I did a 2:21 same day Adam drove my car. He was my instructor. I was very constant but the conditions weren’t there. The track was just shaved for moto gp.
Last time a did multiple 2:23 but the heat was horrible. I’m really hoping for cooler weather after F1 and I’m sure I can break to the teens.

That was on the z07 tires for the gtr and sloppy in some areas. I can’t wait for a good condition day and Hoosiers.
I also have some custom brake pads for next time I go there.
Awesome dude, glad to see someone pushing the car for what it was meant to do! You are right off Adam's pace so you must know that track.
What traction control/stability control settings were you running? I think I read there are three modes of stability control in addition to the traction control dash knob?

Old 08-01-2018, 05:16 PM
  #22  
Member
 
V8ray's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 179
Received 84 Likes on 53 Posts
Porsche gt3 trading to amg gtr
Originally Posted by BenzGTR
Awesome dude, glad to see someone pushing the car for what it was meant to do! You are right off Adam's pace so you must know that track.
What traction control/stability control settings were you running? I think I read there are three modes of stability control in addition to the traction control dash knob?
I know the track well, I have experience in a 12C,650S,991gt3( on Hoosiers) and this car. I lost count on how many track days there.
I have no idea about the other driving modes. I obviously use Race and tracktion control off from half off to 3/4 off. Depending on the track. I love this car. You can feel the weight braking but I hope that with new rotors/pads and new tires I will destroy the old record.
Old 08-01-2018, 10:13 PM
  #23  
Member
Thread Starter
 
BenzGTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 63 Likes on 46 Posts
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
Originally Posted by V8ray


I know the track well, I have experience in a 12C,650S,991gt3( on Hoosiers) and this car. I lost count on how many track days there.
I have no idea about the other driving modes. I obviously use Race and tracktion control off from half off to 3/4 off. Depending on the track. I love this car. You can feel the weight braking but I hope that with new rotors/pads and new tires I will destroy the old record.
What times did you get in those other cars??
Old 08-01-2018, 10:35 PM
  #24  
Member
 
V8ray's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 179
Received 84 Likes on 53 Posts
Porsche gt3 trading to amg gtr
Originally Posted by BenzGTR
What times did you get in those other cars??
650s on trofeos 2:23 and 991 on Hoosier r7 2:23. The 12c spend more time at the shop 😆
Old 08-03-2018, 11:41 AM
  #25  
Member
Thread Starter
 
BenzGTR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Received 63 Likes on 46 Posts
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
Originally Posted by V8ray


650s on trofeos 2:23 and 991 on Hoosier r7 2:23. The 12c spend more time at the shop 😆
Awesome dude. I'm gonna have to be in the teens with my ACR to win the nationals, so I hope I can improve a few seconds over my first time there.
I'm gonna end up ordering 19's for the GTR, will try the Hoosiers first, then the skinny slicks and see which is faster, I'll report back later this year.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: 18 inch wheels for the track



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:45 AM.