Performance Wheel Test - 5Zigen

INDIVIDUAL LAP TIMES

Performance-wise, the differences were not as significant. With the same car, same fuel load, same number of laps and identical-wear tires, the difference between average lap time for the fastest and slowest wheel was a scant half-second. Averaged over all the different wheels, our EVO’s average lap time on the Figure 8 is 25.83 seconds, which means we’re splitting hairs in terms of a noticeable handling difference between the wheels.

The 5Zigen wheel was consistently faster than most and on average the fastest while the AXIS wheel was the slowest. Ironically, both are gravity-cast and the cheapest of the wheels. While the results are real, if we factor in minor variations between each lap and the couple-degree change in track temps, we think claiming one wheel to be faster would be unwarranted.

Even through using some statistical tools, only the AXIS wheel was conclusively slower than the rest since its average time fell outside of one standard deviation of all the samples. The performance results did not correlate with the order or time of day (even though track temperatures remained reasonably consistent). So for this test, the generally accepted theory is that lighter and stronger didn’t actually equal faster. If we had tested on a longer actual circuit, the differences might be more significant, making all the difference if you were in a race. But more complex courses also add in more testing inconsistencies.

A VERDICT?
So is there a best wheel? In theory, yes, but in the real world the difference comes down to your piggy bank. We like the Volk RE-30 for its uncompromised engineering and the SSR Type-F for its balance between price and function. But who wouldn’t like them if we could all afford them. If you had a dedicated track car that sees plenty of trackside curbing, potholes and off-roading, maybe the AME or 5Zigen is a better fit since there’s a high likelihood of banging them up. But a stronger wheel also might mean the difference between finishing a lap after bending as opposed to being towed off. And if you just need to look good and get more rubber under your first daily driven tuner ride, then the AXIS wheel might be the right bang for your buck. In the end, while the theory tells us the über-strong, expensive and light wheels will perform better, our real-world tests and wallets beg the question, How much is this margin worth to you? Our only regret was that we didn’t get to destroy some nice new pretty wheels. We’re sure the difference in price would have easily been justified by that test.

If you’re aching to see a Part 2 destruction test, let us know.

MANUFACTURER	RAYS	SSR	AME	5Zigen	AXIS
WHEEL	CE30	Type-F	TM02	FN01R-C	Halo
SPECS MSRP (USD) Weight (lbs) Wheel Volume (cc) Average Density (kg/m^3)	$900 17.4 1525 5134.43	$700 18.4 1965 4213.74	$620 20.3 2250 4060.00	$340 20.8 2250 4150.00	$325 20.9 2125 4425.88
Intertia Free roll time from 30-5 mph on cold tires (sec)	50.7	49.6	50.8	50.7	50.6
Performance Average lap time Fastest lap time (sec) Slowest lap time	25.898 25.687 26.221	25.764 25.536 25.900	25.692 25.392 25.932	25.652 25.521 25.780	26.164 25.962 26.574

THE TIRES Doing an apples-to-apples test with 20 wheels means that we had to use the exact same tires so that on-track comparison data actually meant anything. Not only do they have to be identical, these tires all have to be in the same condition. Not knowing how wide or narrow our margin of results would be also presented a problem since we didn’t know whether to use edgy race tires that would be harder to post consistent lap times or regular street tires that might potentially be just as inconsistent due to the limited traction threshold.

In the end, we settled on using ultra-high-performance tires with significant levels of grip for a street car, and the predictable handling and progressive break-away characteristics for consistent lap times. Based on our previous experience, we decided on the g-Force Sport tire from BFGoodrich. Although the Sport is not as sticky as its predecessors, it is a better reflection of a street tire that a serious performance-oriented street tuner would buy. The added grooves in the tread pattern also enhance wet traction as well as take the peakiness out of the tire. Tire wear is also extremely reasonable with a UTQG rating of 340 AA A. It’s also affordably priced. The guys at BFGoodrich made this entire test possible by providing us with 20 brand-new 255/35/18 tires so that we could test each wheel on the same day under the same conditions.

After 10 laps, our BFG g-Force Sport tires held up to the hard-cornering, high-temperature punishment with only minor wear on the outer shoulder. We saw no signs of scaling or chunking of the tire tread.
After 10 laps, our BFG g-Force Sport tires held up to the hard-cornering, high-temperature

SOURCEBOX
SSR Wheels 1849 Western Way Torrance CA 90501 310-783-0200 www.ssr-wheels.com	Mackin Industries 9921 Jordan Circle Santa Fe Springs CA 90670 562-946-6820 www.mackinindustries.com
5Zigen 17022 Montanero Ave. #2 Carson CA 90746 310-608-5575 www.5zigenusa.com	BFGoodrich P.O. Box 19001 Greenville SC 29602 877-788-8899 www.bfgoodrichtires.com
Eibach Springs 264 Mariah Circle Corona CA 92879 800-507-2338 www.eibach.com	Axis Sport Tuning 9046 Sorensen Ave. Santa Fe Springs CA 90670 562-906-9898 www.axiswheels.com
Endless USA 18376 Gothard St. Huntington Beach CA 92648 714-847-0694 www.endlessusa.com