If you could run a 14-16 inch wheel w/o ANY Sacrifice in handling would you?

[tyoneal]

To Everyone:

I am really appreciative of everyones thoughts and opinions, they are very helpful.

Do you have some pictures of what wheels you would run, if you could, "In a Perfect World", with no consequence or drawbacks in performance?

Like the Full size picture posted above, that combination looks fantastic.

Please post your opinions of the most Bas Ass Tire/Wheel combinations you know of.

Thanks

Ty O'Neal

[DBasher]

Have you got any more details on what it is you're doing?

As far as wheels, these will do.

[Sheck44]

Originally Posted by TheJDMan

I was a staunch 15" wheel guy for 45 years but I reluctantly went with 18" wheels to accommodate big brakes and modern suspension components. It took me a while to get accustomed to the bigger wheel diameter but I like the look now within reason.

This car has been my inspiration for years.


This is what I built.

Steve .. wouldn't want to see your car ANY other way than the way it sits today
It's perfect. NOT a fan of big sidewalls unless on a 4X4

Cheers
Steve

[slimjim]

This picture I LOVE! and I don't know anything more about the car, but I want to.

[BMR Sales]

Originally Posted by Roarvette

Cool, I look forward to what you have come up with. If F1 cars can still run 13" wheels, obviously it is possible to get looks and performance.

The reason F-1 does that is that the Suspension/Tub is so Stiff, the sidewalls of tires take all the Bumps, etc

[Build-It-Break-it]

This set up looks killer. He's a member I believe

[SBDave]

I do like the smaller size but tire availability is the concern. I'm currently running 16" Superlite replicas with Toyo R888 in 255/50R16. I picked out this total package and there are very few other tires in that size.


Have you seen the RS wheels? I really like the black wheels with the center caps but would prefer 18" diameter.

http://roadstershop.com/wheel/rs-oe1-wheel/

[badbu68]

Suspension interference and ability to run common large brake setups is a concern when running 15s.

[tyoneal]

Originally Posted by DBasher

Not mine, it does look "correct" though.

Curious to see what you've got going on. When are you spilling the beans?

It will be soon with 3-4 weeks.

1. I want to receive the actual Patent Documents so possible manufacturers will know exactly what I have and want to bring to market.
2. I need to set up some Business paperwork, because I would like to become a part of SEMA if I could. They are an outstanding organization that work with people trying bring new products to market.
3. They possess much of the machinery necessary to quickly prototype new products, so actual full size pieces of different configurations can be made and refined quickly.
4. Digitizing of models, and coverting it into numeric coding so actual pieces can be made.
5. The goal is to figure out the most efficient way to go from a prototype, and integrated it into a efficient manufacturing process, so items can be ordered and made, and the quality and consistency can be maintained.
6) Depending on the capabilities of the business, high and low pressure casting could be a possible way to create a specific quality and strength of an item, there is also forging, CNC cutting of billet material, as well as the possibilities of using graphite composites, depending on what the market demands are, and the advancements of available materials and processes.

These are all items that need to be explored with the different manufacturers, plus whether or not they see the items as a complementary item to what they are already selling, or a way to diversify or broaden their own product lines.

Once items like this have been decided on, and the economics of adding to, or passing on a product are decided, then the item can either be made, or another manufacturer can be sought. There is also the possibility of working out a private label arrangement. Some companies who have excess production capabilities and are looking to fill the down time by taking on the parts for another company, or taking on the part for themselves.

It is a process that will take a bit of time, however all the information I can gather in the mean time can often make the process move faster. The fewer unknowns there are, the faster a company will be able to decide which way would be most beneficial to their (The Company's) long term goals of growth and productivity.

Hope this helps.

I am looking forward to speaking with a number of people to see what the "Landscape" looks like for the Wheel. With luck and timing it may be available in the near future.

Additionally there are a number of applications for this produce that go beyond this slice of the total market. This is the reason I was willing to go the distance with it. If it didn't work one place, there were a number of different options available.

I would prefer for this market to be where it could begin, but in business, "it begins where it begins, and sometimes it doesn't begin at all." That's the risk that people take to try and create something new. Sometimes the market acceptance is not there to justify a full scale line, and others it could be that current economic conditions either in the market or in production techniques take it down, or great designs can't be made because the materials and processes to build them haven't been created yet.

We will have to see. One way or the other, I know I would regret not trying to solve this problem, if I didn't try. So following through is the only way to know for sure if indeed something is viable.

Does this make sense?

Ask anymore questions you want and I will trying be as forthcoming as I can with an answer.

Thanks,

Ty O'Neal

BTW: my keys sometimes get stuck or they don't "Type" the letter I pushed. I think there are some gremlins around the house from time to time that sometimes spill things onto the keyboard that don't exactly improve the efficiency of the keyboard. If they weren't so cute (and related) one could get rid of them, but such is life.

We all have our sacrifices to make. If you see this I hope you will understand what the problem might be.

[tyoneal]

Originally Posted by TheJDMan

I was a staunch 15" wheel guy for 45 years but I reluctantly went with 18" wheels to accommodate big brakes and modern suspension components. It took me a while to get accustomed to the bigger wheel diameter but I like the look now within reason.

This car has been my inspiration for years.


This is what I built.

=============================
Both cars are stunning and I remember the "Trans AM" car from way back. You did a really nice job with it.