I am considering these wheels for street use on a white NA, what do you like

Based on some input from KFJ I think I will go with the Enkei 4645804925BK J-SPEED Black with Machined Lip Wheel 15x8 4x100 +25mm (14.6 lbs) The design seems rugged for our Michigan roads and I like the look. I have a set on my 1984 Audi and they survived my 600 mile weekly commute so far although they are not as wide. At Summit Racing they are $158 each. I will buy an extra set for when they go obsolete.
https://www.vividracing.com/images/e...peed_black.jpg
Later I will probably get a separate set of track wheels & tires.

QUESTION #1: What lug nuts should I buy? Best quality and version??? I have concerns about the various aluminum nuts offered. The wheels use Lug Nut Seat Style: Conical seat - 60 degree

QUESTION #2: The wheel hub Center Bore Diameter: 2.860 in (72.60mm)
What is the size of the Miata hub? Will I need an adapter ring?

I know most guys like the light aluminum lugs but im not a fan of those, I feel like they will break too easy or seize up on the hub threads. Especially if you have some jack hole with a air gun over tighten them. I use gorilla on mine.

http://www.gorilla-auto.com/

60 degree conical is the most common aftermarket lug nut taper. I have used 949 Racing forged aluminum lug nuts on Warbird and now Misfire. They are reasonably priced and stupid light and can take the abuse of an air tool. 5x Racing makes some now but unsure of prices.

I usually put anti seize on the threads once a year and if someone else is taking them off tell them they can remove with a impact gun but to put back on by hand and torque them with a torque wrench. I also stand right there to keep an honest man, honest.


A hubcentric ring just makes it easier to put the wheels on. Had them before and in all honesty thought they were more of a hassle than anything. Definitely not necessary and just something else for someone else removing/reinstalling the wheels to forget/misplace/break, imo.

Miata hub is 54.1

the open ended 949 racing nuts also allow use of extended studs in the hub, giving very high flexibility in offsets with the use of spacers. ++

Adam did a good review of nuts a while back on his blog...

http://revlimiter.net/blog/2012/05/l...ug-nut-review/

I bought the Kics Leggdura's for my '94, I've yet to drive it any distance. I'll let everyone know if they fail me. They're silly light, available in lots of colors, and have closed ends, unlike the 949's.

-Matt

Gorilla are fine for your use.

I prefer to use centering rings, but yeah they can run away from you removing or installing wheels. I prefer plastic ones because the won’t oxidize or scratch the centerbore.

I also put anti seize on my studs annually, usually when I do caliper maintenance. I brush the lip on the wheel hubs with a wire brush to keep rust or scale from building up.

You *can* forego centering rings, but you need to install the lugs with more attention and care to get the wheel centered on the hub. It’s apparent when you do it incorrectly because the wheels feel like they are out of balance/round when you drive. :)

Pick the wheel that you like best. You are building your car. You really don't have to care what other people think. As long as you like the wheel and how it looks, that's all that matters.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rock Star

Pick the wheel that you like best. You are building your car. You really don't have to care what other people think. As long as you like the wheel and how it looks, that's all that matters.

---

I got a lot of good input from the collective to help me make up my mind.

...and massive potholes that obliterate your wheels two at a time. ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kung fu jesus

...and massive potholes that obliterate your wheels two at a time. ;)

---

Dooh, I only ordered 1 spare!

D'oh!

I went to LTU for architecture, used to commute. I hit a pothole on the freeway (696) so large it destroyed the front tires and wheels on my e21. I had both front tires blowout simultaneously around 65-70mph. Good times. I remember a stretch when I saw a car/truck fire on the Davidson FWY on my commute everyday for 4-5 consecutive days, :lol:

Out of curiosity, can you get the city to pay for the damage, seeing as they're responsible for maintaining safe roads?