Looking for wheels for my 242

[Asleeper]

I am trying to find some decent looking 16" or 17" wheels for the 242. I haven't been able to find many. The best looking wheel I can find so far is the TSW Hockenhiem. I know there are others and thats what I am hoping you can help me out with. I want something fairly lightweight as I do race in auto-x/road racing. Does anyone know how much the a stock 240 turbo wheel weighs?

Andy

[Anonymous]

I have found that the Voxx MGR rims fit, and they look really sweet in my opinion. Also, the TSW Revo's fit as well, they are pretty sweet also.

[towerymt]

The combination of light weight, good looking, and proper fitting wheels is hard to find.

If I had the money for wheels, I'd probably consider a set of Kosei K1 Racing 16x7.5 ET32 blanks drilled to 5x108 by tirerack, and then use longer studs and spacers (10-15mm). Those wheels are about 15-15.5lbs. each (much lighter than Virgos) and they are under $200/ea including the machining. They aren't my favorite wheels for look, but the weight and cost is among the best you'll find from a cast wheel.

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/images/kosei/swap/kos_k1_race_sil_ci3_l.jpg

Virgo wheels are about 17-18lbs. each. I've weighed myself holding one then subtracted my weight, but I was just using a bathroom scale. At one point I had 3 cast with "Norway" on them and one cast with "Germany" on it and the wheel from Germany felt lighter. I didn't notice the casting difference until I noticed the weight difference, so maybe it's 1-2lbs. lighter at best.

[towerymt]

A 16" TSW wheel will be about 20-21lbs. and a 17" TSW wheel will be about 22-25lbs. The 17x8 Hock.R is 23.8lbs.

[gtlover]

The combination of light weight, good looking, and proper fitting wheels is hard to find.
The bane of a RWD Volvo owner's existance.

[quote:acc86b89e1]I'd probably consider a set of Kosei K1 Racing 16x7.5 ET32 blanks drilled to 5x108 by tirerack,[/quote:acc86b89e1]
Are you sure they'd do this? IIRC I asked about this wheel in particular (I think they look pretty good) and they wouldn't do it.

*edit* I called back, the Kosei K1 is the only wheel they custom drill. They are shipped blank, and actually the drilling is in the price. They haven't done a RWD Volvo before, so they're confirming for me that there's no problems doing the 5x108 bolt pattern and the 65mm center bore. I'm going to lobby my wife for these wheels, and spacers from GilRacing.

[quote:acc86b89e1]the wheel from Germany felt lighter. I didn't notice the casting difference until I noticed the weight difference, so maybe it's 1-2lbs. lighter at best.[/quote:acc86b89e1]
Hmmm....interesting. I'd still rather have a 16" wheel that's lighter, even if they do cost twice as much. I'll confirm with tirerack on the custom drilling question and start saving my nickels and dimes.[/i]

[towerymt]

*edit* I called back, the Kosei K1 is the only wheel they custom drill. They are shipped blank, and actually the drilling is in the price. They haven't done a RWD Volvo before, so they're confirming for me that there's no problems doing the 5x108 bolt pattern and the 65mm center bore. I'm going to lobby my wife for these wheels, and spacers from GilRacing.

Be careful about the offset with Alvaro's adapters. Even if you got a set of (4) 25mm adapters and used them with the ET32 wheels, that's like putting on a wheel with a 7mm offset. You might want to consider longer wheel studs and spacers that are thinner than the 25mm or 30mm adapters sold by Alvaro. OR find out if you can get a larger offset from Tirerack, like 40mm.

[gtlover]

Yes, 10mm spacers would be the "prudent" choice, but I do know for a fact that 205 width tires mounted on wheels with zero offset only rub *a little*. I'd be willing to roll or cut the rear wheel arches to make it fit. These wheels are also available in a 43mm offset, which would work perfectly with the 25mm spacers, no cutting needed. Since it's the same price for either offset, it just comes down to which spacer option is cheaper. Actually, Alvaro's spacers open up a TON of choices for Volvo wheels - I coulda scored a set of brand new alloys off a S80 for $100 if I had acted quicker - even with the price of spacers it woulda been a sweet deal.

[KBFinFan]

I think my favorite wheels avaliable for RWD Volvos are the Borbet Type Es (or maybe Ronal R28s). However, as of now I cannot find anywhere that carries the Borbets in the United States. The Ronal site lists several wheels for the 7 series car on its site complete with pictures.

[gtlover]

Ronal R28s remind me of one of the FWD factory wheels, and good lookin' ones at that. Personally, I like the look of the old R10s, but they're a bit heavy and they don't do 'em for Volvos. The "Bear" wheels would look so cute on a V40 or an early 850 wagon. LX is also not bad, if a bit heavy.
I'm stoked about the Kosei K1, nice and light. OZ had a really good looking 5-spoke out there, better than the Borbet IMO. I'd also poke around on eBay and junkyards for old Mille Miglia wheels, they used to have some cool ones for RWD Volvos (and they still might in Europe).

[Chigga 744SE]

Volks TE37

[towerymt]

Personally, I like the look of the old R10s, but they're a bit heavy and they don't do 'em for Volvos.

You can get Schmidt TH-Line from Germany that look very much like the Ronal R10 "Turbo."

http://www.german-wheels.com/images/fahrzeuge/600x/th3_vw-golf-1.jpg

http://www.german-wheels.com/images/fahrzeuge/600x/204.jpg

[chris]

as soon as i saw the thread, i thought of Schmidt wheels. New German Performance in Aberdeen, MD distributes Schmidt.

these are my favorites. Modern Line 3 piece (Modern-Line 3-tlg).

http://www.german-wheels.com/images/fahrzeuge/600x/ml3_volvo.jpg

http://www.german-wheels.com/images/fahrzeuge/600x/ml3_vw-scirocco.jpg

i could look at the cars on this site for hours.

[Super1800GTR]

[quote:2d20b2ad49]If I had the money for wheels, I'd probably consider a set of Kosei K1 Racing 16x7.5 ET32 blanks drilled to 5x108 by tirerack, and then use longer studs and spacers (10-15mm). Those wheels are about 15-15.5lbs. each (much lighter than Virgos) and they are under $200/ea including the machining. They aren't my favorite wheels for look, but the weight and cost is among the best you'll find from a cast wheel. [/quote:2d20b2ad49]

Wow...
I'm thinking about a set of 15x7's for my 1800... Right now it has 15x6 american racing wheels et35 & 205/65/15 tires. It rubs a bit but only when you turn the wheels to lock. Does anyone know how much the 15x7's cost?? I tried looking @ tire rack but couldn't find anything. As far as tires go i'm thinkin.... 205/55/15's shouldn't be much of a problem w/ the 32mm offset. That would be awesome if I could do all this for around $1000.
Also... what colors do they come in?? Only white?

Rob

[towerymt]

I just bought a set of 15x7 wheels in need of a refinishing, but they were under $100 shipped. However I think they're a 12mm offset wheel, so probably not good for the older Volvos. I'll probably repaint and sell two of them, so if anyone needs a pair of 7" wide wheels for drag racing...cheap, let me know. :)

The Kosei K1 Racing come in at least three colors (white, silver, anthracite), but I can't tell you if those colors are available on the blanks. I know the anthracite color is only offered on some of the sizes.

15x7 blanks are $169/each including machining, but those are 38mm offset so it might be good to get some 10mm spacers and longer studs if necessary.

Those Schmidt wheels look better on the 'rocco than the Volvo wagon, but I think it's because the tires are so huge and the car is so high. 215/40/16 on a slammed 745 would be perfect.

[chris]

I just bought a set of 15x7 wheels in need of a refinishing, but they were under $100 shipped. However I think they're a 12mm offset wheel, so probably not good for the older Volvos. I'll probably repaint and sell two of them, so if anyone needs a pair of 7" wide wheels for drag racing...cheap, let me know. :)

have any pictures?


Those Schmidt wheels look better on the 'rocco than the Volvo wagon, but I think it's because the tires are so huge and the car is so high. 215/40/16 on a slammed 745 would be perfect.

well roccos are just damn sexy to begin with. and yeah, that 945 is at stock height with skinny stock wheels. i was thinking they'd look good on my 242, but i dont have the money yet for fancy ass $500 wheels.

edit: they would look beautiful on a drag car.

[Super1800GTR]

[quote:4f883add85]I just bought a set of 15x7 wheels in need of a refinishing, but they were under $100 shipped. However I think they're a 12mm offset wheel, so probably not good for the older Volvos. I'll probably repaint and sell two of them, so if anyone needs a pair of 7" wide wheels for drag racing...cheap, let me know. [/quote:4f883add85]

I might be interested if they're the right price..
I could probably get the 12mm offset to work w/ the right tires... + i'm probably going to roll the fenders anyways
What type of wheels are they?? Weight?

Rob
Super1800GTR@aol.com


ALSO.... what's the center bore of the wheel??? how do you measure it??

[towerymt]

http://www.student.nvcc.vccs.edu/home/mtowery/volvo/240/1212WHL1.jpg

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Centerbore is the size of the opening in the center of the wheel that fits on the lip located on the hub face. The wheels are centered on this lip, and the weight of the car is handled by this part of the hub rather than the wheel studs and lug nuts, which are only used to keep the wheel pressed firmly against the hub. This is what "hub-centric" refers to. If the opening on the wheel was larger than the diameter of the lip on the hub, or if there was no lip, you would not have hub-centric wheels and the weight load would be put on the studs instead. Think of how loosely the 5 holes fit on the studs. Because of that, the lugnuts must be tightened with the wheels off the ground so that the lugnut can center the wheel so that it doesn't vibrate. Having the proper center bore is very critical.

I don't remember the typical Volvo center bore, but I believe it's 65mm or 63.5mm.

[gtlover]

It's 65mm. The 15 x 7 ETzero wheels on my GT are not hub-centric, so trying to properly center the wheels on the tapered lug seats is a PITA. Either the car is going bye-bye or the wheels are. Nice looking, early-eighties design and a killer wide track, but not ideal.

Those Schmidts (and the Moderns) are great! The Schmidts are so obviously inspired by the 78-79 GT wheels! I had wondered where some of the euro guys had picked those up since the Ronals aren't made for the Volvos. Now I know - Michael, there's some links you're not posting if you can pull stuff like that out!

As usual, it seems like the good Volvo parts are on the wrong side of the pond. But, there's several more options. We oughta post some of this in the FAQs - at least sizing info, and a few basic mfr and distributor links.