Landracing Forum

Tech Information => Technical Discussion => Topic started by: SteveM on December 28, 2011, 10:31:41 AM

Title: Anybody using Space Saver wheels in a FWD application?
Post by: SteveM on December 28, 2011, 10:31:41 AM
I know that the use of space saver rims is relatively common in LSR racing, but I'm wondering if people are using them for front-wheel-drive applications?   The issue I'm seeing is whether or not the Moon disks will fit on any FWD space savers, as the wheel offsets look pretty "deep".   I was looking at some FWD space savers at the junkyard last weekend, with the hopes of eventually using them on my '84 Rampage project.  I can see that they would bolt on just fine, but the large amount of negative offset seems like it would prohibit the use of Moon type disk covers.  And everybody knows that if it doesn't have Moon disks, then it's not an LSR car.

Any advice, or suggestions for finding skinny steel wheels for a FWD application?  (5x100 bolt pattern).

Steve M.
Title: Re: Anybody using Space Saver wheels in a FWD application?
Post by: RansomT on December 30, 2011, 01:04:13 PM
I worked with and drove a Taurus SHO in Production that had the space saver rims and moons a couple years back.   Bolt pattern is a 5x108.   My suggestion is to look for the largest Chrysler vehicle that has that pattern.  The wider the rim the less offset.
Title: Re: Anybody using Space Saver wheels in a FWD application?
Post by: SteveM on December 30, 2011, 02:55:12 PM
That's encouraging news.  I think I might just have to take a Moon disc with me to the junkyard to see what will work.

Steve.
Title: Re: Anybody using Space Saver wheels in a FWD application?
Post by: salt27 on December 30, 2011, 08:38:41 PM
I remember Moon making a disk that was deeper to clear front spindles that protruded too far for their standard disk.
Maybe they would give you the clearance you need.

    Don
Title: Re: Anybody using Space Saver wheels in a FWD application?
Post by: gkabbt on December 31, 2011, 09:12:44 AM
Here are some pictures of Mike Manghelli's VW pickup and they do look like space saver wheels.

(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad318/GKABBT/Gregg%20Adams%20Land%20Speed%20Rampage/211120Shop2011_11.jpg)

(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad318/GKABBT/Gregg%20Adams%20Land%20Speed%20Rampage/211120Shop2011_12.jpg)

(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad318/GKABBT/Gregg%20Adams%20Land%20Speed%20Rampage/211120Shop2011_14.jpg)

(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad318/GKABBT/Gregg%20Adams%20Land%20Speed%20Rampage/211120BV201020005.jpg)

I have the space savers on the rear of my truck just for shop purposes and do not plan on using them for racing.
Steve, you are correct in that I do not think the Moon disk would fit on them.
I'll try to get pictures later today and post.

Gregg
Title: Re: Anybody using Space Saver wheels in a FWD application?
Post by: Ron Gibson on December 31, 2011, 12:19:43 PM
I used 1990 Ford Probe space saver wheels on my roadster. They are 4 X 15 with 5 X 4.5 bolt pattern. The Moons fit but had to re-contour center to clear hub and use short Dzuses. In hindsight I think three dents in the wheel under the Dzus tabs would have helped that clearance problem.

Picture on USFRA web site.  WOS 2010 pictures,  lower right corner, Page 4, , #1128

Ron
Title: Re: Anybody using Space Saver wheels in a FWD application?
Post by: gkabbt on January 01, 2012, 10:44:09 AM
Steve,
Here are the pics of the space savers on the rear of my Rampage:

(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad318/GKABBT/Gregg%20Adams%20Land%20Speed%20Rampage/IMG_3693.jpg)

(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad318/GKABBT/Gregg%20Adams%20Land%20Speed%20Rampage/IMG_3694.jpg)

(http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/ad318/GKABBT/Gregg%20Adams%20Land%20Speed%20Rampage/IMG_3695.jpg)

These are 5X100 and, if I remember correctly, from a 1990's Chrysler cloud car.

Hope this helps,
Gregg
Title: Re: Anybody using Space Saver wheels in a FWD application?
Post by: SPARKY on January 01, 2012, 11:51:06 AM
I  to go find me some of these, I would bet they will take care of a lot of Scrub radius issues on a lot of cars.
Title: Re: Anybody using Space Saver wheels in a FWD application?
Post by: SteveM on January 01, 2012, 03:31:22 PM
Very good pics and information guys. Happy New Year. Gregg- that's the setup (5x100) that I plan to run as well. Will you be having custom wheels made?  I think that Taylor Wheels can use space saver centers in their wheels, it wouldn't surprise me if that's what the White Goose truck is running. I'm still hoping to find some space savers that will work with Moon discs.
Title: Re: Anybody using Space Saver wheels in a FWD application?
Post by: salt27 on January 01, 2012, 04:37:46 PM
I remember Moon making a disk that was deeper to clear front spindles that protruded too far for their standard disk.
Maybe they would give you the clearance you need.

    Don

Check out SpeedwayMotors.com part #5401151.
Title: Re: Anybody using Space Saver wheels in a FWD application?
Post by: saltsho1 on January 01, 2012, 06:31:44 PM
I use them on my 89 Taurus sho w/moon discs, no problems car handles very well at speed with them and the rims are already welded inside center to outside rim.
Title: Re: Anybody using Space Saver wheels in a FWD application?
Post by: SPARKY on January 01, 2012, 08:22:49 PM
Taylor Made 18" Space Savers
Title: Re: Anybody using Space Saver wheels in a FWD application?
Post by: SteveM on January 01, 2012, 09:39:33 PM
That's some SERIOUS backspacing on that 18" rim.  I have a feeling that wheel is going under a 'liner or some such.  I don't think a Moon disc is going to fit on that thing.

Title: Re: Anybody using Space Saver wheels in a FWD application?
Post by: gkabbt on January 02, 2012, 06:41:43 AM
I remember Moon making a disk that was deeper to clear front spindles that protruded too far for their standard disk.
Maybe they would give you the clearance you need.

    Don

Check out SpeedwayMotors.com part #5401151.

salt27 - Don,
Good call on the Speedway Motors 5401151: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Spun-Aluminum-Disc-Wheel-Covers,4637.html?baseNo=540115#tabcontent (http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Spun-Aluminum-Disc-Wheel-Covers,4637.html?baseNo=540115#tabcontent)
I might need to order one to see if it would work.

Gregg
Title: Re: Anybody using Space Saver wheels in a FWD application?
Post by: gkabbt on January 02, 2012, 07:00:21 AM
Very good pics and information guys. Happy New Year. Gregg- that's the setup (5x100) that I plan to run as well. Will you be having custom wheels made?  I think that Taylor Wheels can use space saver centers in their wheels, it wouldn't surprise me if that's what the White Goose truck is running. I'm still hoping to find some space savers that will work with Moon discs.
Steve,

I am setting up my truck to mainly run the ECTA and LTA so I am planning on running wider wheels / tires for traction.
I will have custom ones made and am still trying to figure out the best offset / backspacing.
If it runs well enough at Wilmington and Loring (crosses fingers.....LOL), I do plan on the long tow out to Bonneville  :-o  and there I will be using narrower wheels / tires like the space savers.
As usual, hope this helps.   :cheers:

Gregg
Title: Re: Anybody using Space Saver wheels in a FWD application?
Post by: gkabbt on January 02, 2012, 07:07:11 AM
I  to go find me some of these, I would bet they will take care of a lot of Scrub radius issues on a lot of cars.

Sparky,

Good call.....That is kinda what I thought as well when I first got them.

Gregg
Title: Re: Anybody using Space Saver wheels in a FWD application?
Post by: gkabbt on January 02, 2012, 07:09:04 AM
Taylor Made 18" Space Savers

Sparky......Just WOW!!!!! Really great looking wheel.   :cheers:

Gregg
Title: Re: Anybody using Space Saver wheels in a FWD application?
Post by: gkabbt on January 02, 2012, 07:16:45 AM
I used 1990 Ford Probe space saver wheels on my roadster. They are 4 X 15 with 5 X 4.5 bolt pattern. The Moons fit but had to re-contour center to clear hub and use short Dzuses. In hindsight I think three dents in the wheel under the Dzus tabs would have helped that clearance problem.

Picture on USFRA web site.  WOS 2010 pictures,  lower right corner, Page 4, , #1128

Ron

Ron,
Really nice looking Roadster you have there.  :cheers:


Gregg
Title: Re: Anybody using Space Saver wheels in a FWD application?
Post by: Ron Gibson on January 02, 2012, 10:15:13 AM
 Honestly, I didn't build it. Tony Piner and Pete Eastwood built it in late eighty's.
 When it came up for sale, a friend and I bought it. I made changes to the front end to eliminate 1.75 inch per side of scrub steer (thanks Sparky). Seems to handle OK but don't know how it handled before, never drove it with scrub. It did have a tendency to spin before we bought it (normal for a roadster according to some). we will see.
 At 2010 SW all I got done was licensing and qualifying for long course.  At WOS it swallowed a valve on the first pass.
 Made some other small aero changes since that I hope help. Life got in the road this year. Looking at 2012.
 
Ron
Title: Re: Anybody using Space Saver wheels in a FWD application?
Post by: Stainless1 on January 02, 2012, 10:40:17 AM
Ron... Ron... Ron.... aero on a roadster  :?  Just keep adding horsepower, you can't get aero on a brick....
Hey if you get down this way, I almost have the shop addition finished... the floor heat that you helped lay has been on for almost 2 months...
Title: Re: Anybody using Space Saver wheels in a FWD application?
Post by: Ron Gibson on January 02, 2012, 01:54:48 PM
Stainless, if I get down that way I'll sure do it. I'm having "Boeing Surplus" and the "Yard" withdrawal pains but at $200 gas bills for the trip I don't think I can save that much.  Shoulda bought more when I was there. :-D

Ron