Moon Disc Hubcaps vs Insight Wheels

[1337]

I've been calling junkyards, and all of them seem to want over $200 (shipped) for a set of Insight wheels. Now I'm thinking of buying '80s CRX Si 14" alloys (the ones with 4 big holes). The wheels are flat, and the holes look easy to cover to make a flat disc.

This is the wheel i have in mind:

http://dgbrown.pixesthesia.com/cars/...20CRX%20Si.jpg

Opinions?

Anyone know the weight on these?

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Christ

Hm.. Mooncraft is the counterpart to Mugen, a Honda-option parts mfg... that's funny, although I seriously doubt they're the same company.

As far as real input here, is there any benefit to having domed caps as opposed to flat caps on your wheels? Like helping to re-direct some of the detached airflow from the nose- area of the car and help reattach it to the side?

Obviously, they create a larger frontal area, but I wonder if it's enough to negate any (if any) positive effect they may have?

Moon wheel covers do aggravate frontal area,however provide the highest sectional density,compensating for the tire"bump" eruption,and overall,they offer the lowest drag for a open wheel in free stream,producing the profile of a "Streamlined Wheel"used in aviation,@ Cd0.12 (from Hoerner,Fig.8.13,Page 128.Better even if faired!

[1337]

http://dgbrown.pixesthesia.com/cars/...20CRX%20Si.jpg

Sorry, I botched the link.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by 1337

I've been calling junkyards, and all of them seem to want over $200 (shipped) for a set of Insight wheels. Now I'm thinking of buying '80s CRX Si 14" alloys (the ones with 4 big holes). The wheels are flat, and the holes look easy to cover to make a flat disc.

This is the wheel i have in mind:

http://dgbrown.pixesthesia.com/cars/...20CRX%20Si.jpg

Opinions?

Anyone know the weight on these?

I have these on my '84 CRX.I got them to run the Michelin MXV Green-X LRR tires.I may have a weight for them.It cost me $1,000 for the wheels and tires and absolutely no benefit to mpg.Bummer!-------PS Honda changed their C-to_C bolt pattern in the next gen vehicles.Is that the same fit as your Protege?

[1337]

aerohead,

Can you explain what you mean by C- and _C bolt patterns? I thought that just about any 4x100 bolt pattern wheel with a high offset would fit on a '90s Protege, Civic, Corolla, etc.

As far as benefits, I'm not out much money if I don't see an FE gain. I found a junkyard that will ship me a set of '86 CRX Si wheels for $150, and I would just transfer my Michelin Harmony tires to the CRX wheels.

I also like the looks of the gen1 CRX Si wheels (sure beats my black steelies)...

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by 1337

aerohead,

Can you explain what you mean by C- and _C bolt patterns? I thought that just about any 4x100 bolt pattern wheel with a high offset would fit on a '90s Protege, Civic, Corolla, etc.

As far as benefits, I'm not out much money if I don't see an FE gain. I found a junkyard that will ship me a set of '86 CRX Si wheels for $150, and I would just transfer my Michelin Harmony tires to the CRX wheels.

I also like the looks of the gen1 CRX Si wheels (sure beats my black steelies)...

I was thinking that they still measure the bolt pattern from center of one hole,across to the opposite hole.That may not be valid anymore.I was interested in a later model HONDA wheel and the parts guys said they wouldn't fit my car,as HONDA had subsequently changed their bolt pattern.-----$150 is a great price if they'll fit! I'll see if I can find that weight.

[1337]

Originally Posted by aerohead

I was thinking that they still measure the bolt pattern from center of one hole,across to the opposite hole.That may not be valid anymore.I was interested in a later model HONDA wheel and the parts guys said they wouldn't fit my car,as HONDA had subsequently changed their bolt pattern.-----$150 is a great price if they'll fit! I'll see if I can find that weight.

I'm pretty darn sure the lug sizing measurement scheme hasn't changed.

The only thing besides offset that could prevent a 4x100 wheel from fitting on any 4x100 hub is center bore. Center bore is the hole in the middle of the wheel that allows the hub to sit slightly inside the wheel. It looks like the CRX's center bore is 56.1mm, while the Protege's center bore is 54.1.

Mazda - Vehicle Bolt Pattern Reference

Honda - Vehicle Bolt Pattern Reference

Since the Honda bore is slightly bigger, the Honda wheel should fit over the smaller Mazda hub. However, I would be more hesitant to try squeezing Mazda wheels over Honda hubs.

I haven't found any information about Honda changing bolt patterns in the '90s, though they did go to a 5-lug pattern for the current generation Civic.

[some_other_dave]

IIRC, most stock Honda alloy wheels are relatively heavy. Lighter than steel wheels, but not nearly as light as a lot of the aftermarket alloys.

-soD

[Christ]

Originally Posted by some_other_dave

IIRC, most stock Honda alloy wheels are relatively heavy. Lighter than steel wheels, but not nearly as light as a lot of the aftermarket alloys.

-soD

I don't think that's true at all, since '85 Si 13" wheels are ~9-10lbs w/o a tire on them, '86 Si 14" wheels are closer to 13lbs w/o a tire, and even most of the mid90's wheels are still lighter than their steel counterparts.

I own both sets.

In fact, I have the 14" Phone Dials (nickname) or "Buttons" on my 4th gen Civic.

PS. Bolt patterns have been measured center to center across the widest point since engineers determined this the most accurate way to measure anything.

As long as the offset is at least 38mm, and the wheel/tire isn't more than a standard width, it will fit on a Honda hub.

In a few seconds, I can get the weights of some pretty common Honda/Acura wheels.

Correction:
OEM steel wheels on 88-91 Civics are 13x5J and weigh 16#
86-87 Alloy wheels are 14x5J, cast wheels, and weigh 15.4#
Honda Civic HX 96-97 wheels are cast alloy, 14x5.5J and weigh 11.8#
Civic VX 13x5J cast alloy, weight 9.7#

Still waiting for weight on '85 Si 13x5J.

[metromizer]

Originally Posted by Christ

is there any benefit to having domed caps as opposed to flat caps on your wheels?

My metro needs something domed for mechanical clearence, like most fwd cars I suspect. But the design has been around since what, WWII or earlier? RWD cars don't usually need any center clearence. It certainly is a lot more trouble to 'spin form' manufacture them in a metal spinning lathe, than to just use flat metal. <metal spinning a metal working art that is all but gone>

I agree, there must be some other reason