Bought some used wheels for AutoX but cant figure out what they are????

Martispeed · Feb 13, 2011

Hi all, I bought a 94 gt last december and decided I would Autocross it this summer. So I found a set of 16x8 wheels and decided to pick them up. They look like the A.R.E wheels used on the 1989 saleen Fox but do not say ARE anywhere lol. I know Ronal made wheels that looked like the ARE's as well but Im not finding anything showing their made by them either. So at this point im kinda lost :BangHead:.... Below are a few pictures I just took. As you can see, it says they are 16x8 and there is a stamp that says R.E.I...... Anyway Im just hoping someone with more knowledge then me can help out! :notworthy:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55174239@N03/5441949197/sizes/m/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55174239@N03/5442554706/sizes/l/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/55174239@N03/5442553982/sizes/l/in/photostream/

Passenger · Feb 13, 2011

Sterns?

auto_x5.0 · Feb 13, 2011

R.E.I.=Rays Engineering International?

Martispeed · Feb 13, 2011

Hmmm good options. I will look them up as well!! Thanks for the help so far!

duh09 · Feb 13, 2011

Sweet looking wheels regardless. What size tire you plan on running on them?

Martispeed · Feb 14, 2011

I plan on running some 245/45 hoosiers. I can get some really cheap so I thought I would try them out for this upcoming year.

Win · Feb 14, 2011

If there a Saleen Rep then they probably have a 5 5/8 Backspacing, like the original Saleens. They appear identical to the Saleen Wheel. Supposedly they are about 17 1/2 pds or so.

Martispeed · Feb 14, 2011

Ok I will check the weight while im here at work with a good scale. The one I used was the crappy house hold one. I tried the whole measuring with just me and then with me and the wheel and it was around 20 lbs or so. I will let you know the weight a little later.

And what do you mean saleen rep? The only stamps on the wheel are R.E.I., Max psi of 60 lbs, Max load of something like 1260 lbs, and the size 16x8. Other then that there are some serial numbers on what looks like a weld or something. You might be able to see it in the pic of the back of the wheel. It reads H17907 or H1790Z... hard to tell.

Win · Feb 14, 2011

Did a little more Digging they could be a Ronal R9 Wheel. What were they on?

Martispeed · Feb 14, 2011

They were on a 86 Gt used for road racing. I mean I have searched A LOT lol. From what I have found all ronals had the name "Ronal" in raised letters on the "spokes" of the star. Some of them also had ronal stamped into the machined part of the rim. Another thing is the finish of the lip, saleens were more like a polishes crome while the ronals were more dull. At least thats what I have found by searching and searching.

Truly in the end in just going to use them for track days so it really doesnt matter... Its just one of those things I wanted to know. I picked them up for $100 so either way its a good deal. But if they are real saleens I got a GREAT deal haha.

Win · Feb 14, 2011

Ah well the ones i have seen on the Saleen forums don't have any stamping on the wheel face or lip.

http://saleenforums.soec.org/showthread.php?t=6410

$100 bucks is the going price for Saleen wheels like that.

bonestock3.8DTH · Feb 14, 2011

Those are some sick wheels. I think they'd look nasty on a 4 eye'd fox. But definetly good buy.

Martispeed · Feb 14, 2011

Well I got them for a $100 for all 4... I mean those in that link are kinda in shit condition too lol. But mine do look exactly like the first two in that link. Maybe they are real ARE's.?.? Hold on I will find a link to a picture of ronals to show what im talking about.

i dont know if we can post links to corral but I am anyway lol...

http://forums.corral.net/forums/rims-wheels-tires/1212887-89-90-saleen-5-spoke-wheels.html

As you can see, the black wheel has Ronal in lettering while the ARE has nothing...

Martispeed · Feb 14, 2011

bonestock3.8DTH said:
Those are some sick wheels. I think they'd look nasty on a 4 eye'd fox. But definetly good buy.

Thanks man, it is always good to look good while getting the job done!!!

bonestock3.8DTH · Feb 14, 2011

Yeah I cant wait for AutoX season to start.

duh09 · Feb 16, 2011

I wish I could find a deal like that one wheels like these. Jeez.

<---- Jealous.

Win · Feb 16, 2011

duh09 said:
I wish I could find a deal like that one wheels like these. Jeez.

<---- Jealous.

You can find them just look around. Although i think the Tri-Bars are right at 17 or so lbs so there about the same weight, and you can clear a 13" cobra brake setup.

Martispeed · Feb 16, 2011

Yea I mean these will work for now, I just wanted a second set so I dont destroy the tires on my FR500's. Basically Im getting another set of wheels and tires for the price of 2 new rear tires...

Well, that and the weight savings. With the 18" Fr500s and tires they weighed like 60-65 lbs... They look great but suck for autox. Those wheels with hoosiers will weigh between 40 and 45 lbs per corner. To me, thats ALOT of weight removed!!! Not like I will really be all that competitive anyways HAHA