18 inch wheels for the track
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 250
Likes: 64
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.
I've got a call into Forgeline to see if they can build them to clear the calipers.
Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 1,007
From: Overland Park, KS
‘24 BMW iX M60
If you’re interested, give John Gaydos at Autoquest Mototsports a call: 239-432-1700.
Bish
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 250
Likes: 64
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
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
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 250
Likes: 64
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 1,007
From: Overland Park, KS
‘24 BMW iX M60
I’m running these tyres:
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...oModClar=Coupe
My 501s are the OEM sizes.
Bish
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...oModClar=Coupe
My 501s are the OEM sizes.
Bish
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 250
Likes: 64
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
I’m running these tyres:
https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...oModClar=Coupe
My 501s are the OEM sizes.
Bish
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 250
Likes: 64
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.
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.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 250
Likes: 64
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.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 1,007
From: Overland Park, KS
‘24 BMW iX M60
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.
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.
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
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,099
Likes: 56
From: Vista, CA
Widebody V8
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 250
Likes: 64
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
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
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
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 250
Likes: 64
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,524
Likes: 1,007
From: Overland Park, KS
‘24 BMW iX M60
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
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
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.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 250
Likes: 64
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
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.
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.
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
Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 179
Likes: 84
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.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 250
Likes: 64
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
295-30-19
325-30-19
Which tracks have you ran in it?
Last edited by BenzGTR; Aug 1, 2018 at 01:32 PM. Reason: ask another question
Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 179
Likes: 84
Porsche gt3 trading to amg gtr
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 250
Likes: 64
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
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 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.
Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 179
Likes: 84
Porsche gt3 trading to amg gtr
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 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.
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; Aug 1, 2018 at 05:02 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 250
Likes: 64
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
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.
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?
Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 179
Likes: 84
Porsche gt3 trading to amg gtr
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?
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 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.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 250
Likes: 64
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
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.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 250
Likes: 64
2018 GTR and 2018 E63 Wagon
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.
