aero alloy rims?

[johnathanf1lm]

Does anyone know any manufactures that make aero alloys (not egg beaters) that weigh less than steel. Like ones on the civic hybrid type

[LeanBurn]

Well the Prius 2010 had aero wheel covers that went over light weight rims 14#. I tried the cover on with tape covering all the holes and with the covers off...I saw no difference that I could measure so I just go with the Prius wheels.

With a decent set of wheel adapters you can almost put any rim on any car these days.

[darcane]

Your best bet is to look up the specs for your wheel and find a OEM wheel with a good design that will fit.

I assume you are looking for your '05 Kia Rio? It looks like it uses a 4 lug 100mm bolt center (aka 4x100) bolt pattern with a high offset. This bolt pattern is extremely common. Older Civics (~1980-2005 including Del Sol and CRX), most Saturns, most small Toyotas (Corolla, Echo, etc), and a TON of other cars.

You may run into an issue with some wheels fitting over the hub if the hub is large on the Kia (couldn't find anything on the hub diameter).

[some_other_dave]

Miatas had 4x100 wheels, and they were pretty weight-conscious early on.

The center bore is another place that might or might not fit. If the wheel bore is larger than the part of the hub that goes into it, you would need to buy or make some adapter rings.

You also have to worry about offset. Do the wheels need to sit far out from the hubs, or do they sit way back in the fenders, or something in between? Will the new wheels sit in about the same place, and will the tires rub on the inner or outer fender, or on the strut?

Just things to be aware of.

-soD

[johnathanf1lm]

They are 14x5.5 high offset 4x100 bolt pattern. I would like to find cheap alloys without a manufacture label.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by johnathanf1lm

I would like to find cheap alloys without a manufacture label.

There are no cheap & really light alloys, let alone aerodynamic ones , unfortunately.

If you want them really light - say Volk Racing light - you're looking at 1500-2000 USD for 8-9 lbs rims.

Cheaper knock-offs - say Rota wheels - will cost 1/4 to 1/3 of that, for a weight around 11-13 lbs .

None of those would be particularly aerodynamic.

For better aero, you'll have to look into Honda Insight I or Civic hybrid wheels - dunno what these weigh though.
Most likely heavier.
Filling up the rim face takes more metal, leading to more weight.


I have Volvo Libra wheels that are nearly completely closed and that should be more aerodynamic.
But they weigh some 11 lbs more apiece than the lightest stock Volvo rim.
I've never been able to figure out if the wheels' aero properties really help.
I did find out that I could feel the weight of the wheels through the (power) steering, and the car feels a bit held back with them on.

I'll go for light when choosing new rims.

[kah]

I've been searching for the same for my Seat, also 4x100, 14"-15". So far, the best i've found are the Rota Slipstream, they are light and pretty affordable.

Rays Engineering have done a small series of "eco" wheels - ECO drive GEAR, they are made from forged magnesium, so they are extremely light (14" CE28N is less than 3kgs!), but also very expensive.

[freebeard]

They are 14x5.5 high offset 4x100 bolt pattern. I would like to find cheap alloys without a manufacture label.

Do you mean no visible logo? Centerline forged aluminum wheel with a Moon spun aluminum wheel cover.

Here's a general discussion of the subject: Light vs. Heavy wheels

Is your tire outside diameter a little less than 26"? Then you could use these, the next tire I want to buy. Tire weighs about as much as steel, but more than aluminum; so these on a light rim would give the least unsprung weight.