Are the OEM Series 1 wheels directional?
#1
Are the OEM Series 1 wheels directional?
Hey guys,
While checking out the wheels on the RX-8 I just bought, I noticed the slant of the spokes of the OEM Series 1 MT wheels lean in one direction. On the 3000GT VR-4 I just sold, I discovered that the slant was supposed to face in a specific direction to make the wheels act as fans and help cool the brakes. Are the RX-8 wheels the same? I can't seem to find an answer anywhere in the forums.
Thanks!
~ Alex
While checking out the wheels on the RX-8 I just bought, I noticed the slant of the spokes of the OEM Series 1 MT wheels lean in one direction. On the 3000GT VR-4 I just sold, I discovered that the slant was supposed to face in a specific direction to make the wheels act as fans and help cool the brakes. Are the RX-8 wheels the same? I can't seem to find an answer anywhere in the forums.
Thanks!
~ Alex
#5
Thanks for the feedback, guys.
#6
Trust Me, I'm an Engineer
iTrader: (3)
Yep, that's absolutely right. And if you wipe the dirt away, you could actually see R and L on the inside of the wheels. The spokes were configured in such a way that they would help cool when spinning in one direction, but wouldn't be as effective at it in the other direction (or wouldn't do it at all, who knows). Few 3000GT owners knew it, but it's true. And I also don't know how effective they were at their intended function, like many of the features of the VR-4 (e.g. all wheel steering, active aerodynamics, and active exhaust)
Thanks for the feedback, guys.
Thanks for the feedback, guys.
Yep.....just checked with my buddy who owns four VR4's......the wheels are directional as you say. Crazy that the engineers took that into consideration during design. I knew there was some crazy stuff on the VR4 (active aero, AWS, active exhaust), but never thought they would have used directional wheels. CRAZY I tell you!
So you went from a VR4 to a RX-8.......how are you liking the lack of 100 hp? The VR4's mod very well too. My buddies street car dynoed around 550 hp, and his track car is around 450 hp.
Welcome to the rotary club by the way.
#8
Yep.....just checked with my buddy who owns four VR4's......the wheels are directional as you say. Crazy that the engineers took that into consideration during design. I knew there was some crazy stuff on the VR4 (active aero, AWS, active exhaust), but never thought they would have used directional wheels. CRAZY I tell you!
So you went from a VR4 to a RX-8.......how are you liking the lack of 100 hp? The VR4's mod very well too. My buddies street car dynoed around 550 hp, and his track car is around 450 hp.
Welcome to the rotary club by the way.
So you went from a VR4 to a RX-8.......how are you liking the lack of 100 hp? The VR4's mod very well too. My buddies street car dynoed around 550 hp, and his track car is around 450 hp.
Welcome to the rotary club by the way.
The one thing I do miss is, as you said, the power. I only did mild upgrades on mine and was probably in the ballpark of 350-375 hp at the crank. Even though the car was around 800 lbs heavier than a Grand Touring RX-8, the extra 120+ hp was very noticeable. And it moves pretty well for a fat, heavy car when you have the right suspension upgrades on it. Oh, and honestly, I sometimes do miss the AWD traction. I'd come out of a corner and just point the VR-4 in the right direction and smash the gas... the AWD would figure it out. With a RWD layout, I'm having to be careful to not get too tail happy
I don't miss the fact that my VR-4 was 21 years old this year, and even though it was one of the best condition '92s you'd find, it still showed its age in a number of ways. I was afraid to take it to the track for this reason, whereas I'm excited to get the RX-8 on the track as soon as I get a midpipe, some track pads, and some way to get data (Gauges? An app for my Surface? We'll see).
#9
Trust Me, I'm an Engineer
iTrader: (3)
The stock RX8 brakes are extremely good for a stock package. Unless you are a seasoned track day enthusiat, or if you have DOT R compound tires, most find the stock pads good enough for track days. I am still currently on stock pads and have not experienced fade on the track yet (but I have replaced the fluid with Super Blue). I am also running 265/35R18 Kumho XS tires all around. If you are on stock size street tires, I would think stock pads are fine with a high temp fluid change. Just my $0.02 though, YMMV.
#10
Mr. Örange
I don't know about the Surface, but if you have an Android, I use Trackmaster with a QStarz 818xt BT GPS. I also run Torque on my phone's screen to show OBDII speed as well as throttle position and coolant temp. Welcome back
Here's an example:
Here's an example:
#12
Sheesh! I might just buy a cheap, used iPhone or Android for this specific purpose. I'll still invest in a 3 gauge pod, though, since we can't get any oil temp or pressure data through the OBD port.
#13
Mr. Örange
Thanks! Android has more track apps than Apple from what I've found. You might try ebay or craigslist or something to buy a cheap android. I'm using the droid x2. You won't need a phone plan to use it for data logging
Also I'm using two Sony handycams. I'm not a big gopro guy, though you can't beat the video quality. I just got in contact with an old hollywood audio recording guy and he is going to help me set up some mics to try and get rid of the wind noise. Should be cool!
Also I'm using two Sony handycams. I'm not a big gopro guy, though you can't beat the video quality. I just got in contact with an old hollywood audio recording guy and he is going to help me set up some mics to try and get rid of the wind noise. Should be cool!
Last edited by TANKERG; 03-16-2013 at 11:36 AM.
#14
the early Fc 15" wheels are directional, the ninja star is supposed to point a certain way.
the volvo 850 is directional too, but its a European car so you get a random mix of left and right wheels
the volvo 850 is directional too, but its a European car so you get a random mix of left and right wheels
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