SSR Competitions

[toyfan1]

Hello I am the new owner of a '02 White Celica GT (manual). I got my car because I was thinking about entering it in car shows, but I think I want to try autocrossing before I hit the import scene. I've heard a lot about the Volks, but I've never heard of anyone owning or using SSR Competitions. Since I'm fairly new to the car and auto-xing, everyone is telling me to stay in stock class before modifying my car. Does anyone own these rims and will they fit my car properly? I saw these on tirerack.com with the specified size of 15 x 6.5. I've only seen these wheels on sale at tirerack, is there any other place where I could purchase them?

- Michelle

EDIT: Nevermind, I did a search and found a post in Newbie Zone that states that the offset (51mm) is way too big for our cars. :(

[NoCones]

Are you sure that the 15x6.5 doesn't come in an offset closer to 39mm...I think the 51mm was for 17x8 or something.

you might want to try Rota Subzeros...only 12-13lbs...look on www.machiii.net
they have a special right now: $450 shipped

Or buy a set of oem 15's from me...$200 + shipping...if you're just getting started, I don't know that it's worth sinking a whole lot of $$$ into wheels.

[toyfan1]

hmm.. That's true. I guess I'll have to look up the size or something. Does anyone know the offset for the 15s?

Yeah, I saw the Rotas, I kindda want something different. I really like how the SSR Competitions look (even though they are REALLY pricey.) But I'll look into them.. thanks!

- Michelle

[NoCones]

if you're only planning on using them to autox, don't worry about looks. If you get hooked, you'll want to spend money on all kinds of other goodies (that will actually make you faster, unlike the appearance of a wheel).

Really though (and I'm not saying this just because I want to sell a set)...the oem's are a good place to start.

Bryan

[scapamouche]

Yes you are!!! ;)

[nxracer]

Originally posted by toyfan1
hmm.. That's true. I guess I'll have to look up the size or something. Does anyone know the offset for the 15s?

- Michelle

The offset of the 15's is 39 (just like the 16's)

[pitcrew]

The SSR's are one of the top choices for AX. There aren't a lot of people using them because of cost. The Rage 5.0's from Discount tire are one of the more popular choices as they are still slightly lighter than stock @ 16# and cost only 75.00 each. Another popular choice with the show crowd that AX is to buy larger show wheels and tires for the street and mount AX tires on the stockers.

[scapamouche]

Kosei Racing K1s are also popular, but I'm not sure about stock class legal sizes.

I know of several Celicas running 15x7 K1s in STS (including myself, btw) They cost 139 ea. from Tirerack, and weigh 13-13.5 lbs.

[DannyBoy]

You should definitely got to a couple of events to see how much you like it and how serious you want to be. For example, if you decide you want to get really into it, you might shell out the $1200 for the SSR Comps, or if you decide you don't want to be quite so serious you might get a new set of rims for street and put race tires on the stock rims like pitcrew said.

I agree about staying in stock class. There are a few modifications that are legal in stock (exhaust, shocks, front swaybar, alignment are the big ones) - once you get out of the stock class it can become very expensive very fast...

dan

[nxracer]

While instructing at Saturdays Milwaukee Region school I had the pleasure of experiencing three of the popular STS tires.
My Students
A STX WRX on Falkens
A STS Civic on S03's
A STX Golf on Kuhmo 712's

My verdict.....Toss up! Falkens or S03's, the Kumho's tended to fold under pressure (maybe they needed more air?)

The format of the school allowed me to take my students out during the day in my car (on Hoosiers of course). I heard the phrase "Jesus Christ" and "I thought we had to lift herrrrrrrrrre" many times

[scapamouche]

You know, I had the same experience (the lift part, anyway) when I rode with al2ktoy when he drove MY car at the Feb autox here; the day AFTER the driving school we both attended......

[NoCones]

Big difference btw sitting in the left seat and the right seat. I haven't done many ride-alongs...the only ones I can really remember were with B1mmer at the Peru Tour last year during Fri practice...we were turning similar times, but it sure seemed faster when I wasn't in control. :eek:

[Al2ktoy]

[Just curious:

I went to the Tirerack.com web site, they don't have the 15x6.5 SSR's under the 'Toyota Celica' size. But if I chose the Miata, they show 15x6.5 'in stock'. Guess they don't have 39mm offset or 5x100 lug nut set?

Yes, I'm also want to know if these can be brought other than tirerack?

Just window shopping with my black steelies! :)

[NoCones]

I'm sure it means they don't have 5x100. Miata is 4x100. Offsets aren't different enough btw the 2 (my 99 Miata 15's were 40mm) for offset availability to be the reason.

Bryan

[00BlackGT-S]

Wait a sec, so the 17" SSR Comps won't fit on the Celica? Is this because of the offset?

[toyfan1]

Originally posted by Al2ktoy
[Just curious:

I went to the Tirerack.com web site, they don't have the 15x6.5 SSR's under the 'Toyota Celica' size. But if I chose the Miata, they show 15x6.5 'in stock'. Guess they don't have 39mm offset or 5x100 lug nut set?

Yes, I'm also want to know if these can be brought other than tirerack?

Just window shopping with my black steelies! :)



Hey Al,

I spoke to a rep. from TireRack this afternoon and I got some twisted info.. Either the guy didn't know what he was talking about, or they just can't fit on the Celica.

- Michelle

P.S. I'm assuming you have a GT (cuz of the size wheels you mentioned above, although I know that some GTS drivers use 15s in autox), how do you like the steelies? I know they're not all that in looks, but are they "just fine" for autox events?

[pitcrew]

The steelies are VERY heavy. I've got a set I'll sell cheap! (hubcaps too)
Hold on there are several new wheels just coming out in 15x6.5 that are lightweight ~12#, are inexpensive ~ 100-125 ea, aren't fugly, and at least one comes in 5x100 bolt pattern. I'll look at the article I saw when I get home tonite for the brand (they even come in white.) Anyone interested in a set of Rage race10s or 5.0s?

[Al2ktoy]

Originally posted by pitcrew
The steelies are VERY heavy. I've got a set I'll sell cheap! (hubcaps too)
Hold on there are several new wheels just coming out in 15x6.5 that are lightweight ~12#, are inexpensive ~ 100-125 ea, aren't fugly, and at least one comes in 5x100 bolt pattern. I'll look at the article I saw when I get home tonite for the brand (they even come in white.) Anyone interested in a set of Rage race10s or 5.0s?

Yes, Indeed they are heavy! Still running on them steelies!

Anyway, any clue who makes these inexpensive wheels?

Thanks,
-Alan

[pitcrew]

Yep, ROTA! www.rotawheels.com
Circuit8 and Grid

[GTSdriver]

I spoke with a guy from tire rack today about this. He stated that they in fact have the SSR Comps 17x7.5 in a +35mm offset. So if you are gonna purchase them, Go for it!

[Al2ktoy]

I have to stay within stock specs like almost everyone here in this fourm, so it has to be 15x6.5. :( Thanks anyway, if you know where to find them for our size that would be great. :)



-Alan