steel wheels for the track?

[asifnyc]

after a recent thrash with my Javelin (see video in the "g-machine action video" thread in the open discussion forum) I realize I really need a track only set of wheels/tires. I don't want to spend a lot of money. so, is the following idea crazy or is it an acceptable (albeit super cheap) way to go...

I have 16x8 Vintage Wheel Works V45's on the car now. The have Kumho Victoracer V700 tires on them 265/40 16 rears, 245/40 16 fronts. I put a hole in one of the rear's on my last outing (see video). I also went back and read the fine print on these tires. they are supposed to be SHAVED before getting any real dry track time.

My current plan is to buy BF Goodrich g-force sport street tires. 255/50zr16 rears, and either 245/50zr16 OR 225/50zr16 on the front. these are $100 tires. I figure I really don't need crazy rubber on the street because I don't speed and I'm not trying to pull 1.0g on the street...

For the track I'm thinking uber cheap Cragar D windows $50ea from summit. for tires, my friend says he can hook me up with all the used DIRT MODIFIED tires I want (he's a racer and has a mountain of these tires at his place). they're hoosiers G60-r15 which translates into 245/60s I believe. so, is that crazy? steel wheels, used tires? I know it's a far cry from the discussion of fiske and boze and forgeline that usually goes on around here.

one more question. he has a tire mounting machine at his house (awesome). so I can mount the race tires for free. but, he doesn't have a balancer. he doesn't balance his tires for dirt racing and doesn't think I need to balance mine for the track. opinions?

[Apogee]

Be different...I say do it. I will say that you should balance your tires though as I've seen a significant imbalance in just the wheels alone and running fast on the asphalt is a bit different that doing it in the dirt. Personally, I'd go buy a few bags of airsoft pellets (cheap alternative to Dyna Beads) and put a few ounces in each tire when mounting them on the wheels. Innovative Balancing has charts on their website showing the amount to use for different tire sizes/types: http://www.innovativebalancing.com/. This is a dynamic balancing method that will compensate with wear so it won't matter if you ever spin a tire on the rim or if you need to dismount and remount the tire.

These are a staple in the long haul semi ranks as well as a large part of the 4x4 crowd who get to deal with large imbalances on new tires...pretty tough to balance out a 54" Interco Bogger with lead.

Tobin
KORE3

[asifnyc]

ok, I'm brain dead... just realized I CAN'T run 15" wheels because of my front brake kit. I can run steel though... guess I'll check out 16" or maybe even 17" steel wheels...

[SLO_Z28]

Crager soft 8's are a very similar wheel. They weigh a ton though, and all that extra mass is gonna slow you down.

[Wayne S]

I say go for it too, as I might do the same thing for my car when it's done.

Cragar 3978812 - Cragar Soft 8 Wheels
Here they are in 17" versions for your AMC
from Summit




Soft 8, Steel, Black, 17 in. x 8 in., 5 x 4.5 in. Bolt Circle, 4.5 in. Backspace,
Part Number: CRR-3978812
Estimated Ship Date: 4/1/2010
$71.95 + Wish List
Cragar 3978912 - Cragar Soft 8 Wheels

Soft 8, Steel, Black, 17 in. x 9 in., 5 x 4.5 in. Bolt Circle, 5 in. Backspace,
Part Number: CRR-3978912
Estimated Ship Date: Today
$77.95