I would first like to say that all the information in this post is personal experience and research done myself. If you decide to use these wheels, you are taking the risk just like I did. I am not responsible for any damage if you decide to use golf cart wheels on the road, and I am not telling you that you should. I am only providing information for YOU to make the decision yourself.
Hopefully this will put an end to the whole golf cart wheel thing.
A bit about the car testing the wheels: Its a 1994 SPI, 7.5 inch Minisport brakes and it has a B18 Honda motor fitted. Just as a reference, the Honda motors are about 150 LBS heavier than your A series.
For anyone who doesn’t know, there have been posts about golf cart wheels having the same bolt pattern as the Mini (4x4). They come in many sizes including 10x7. The rims in question are very similar to the Gianni Potenzas that costed a fortune, but many have seen the similarities of them and these golf cart wheel commonly called “Vikings” or “Interceptors”. In pictures they look identical, but of course the golf cart wheels are more than half the price.
Here are the wheels fitted to my car: http://gilbertgolfca...shed-p-428.html
I purchased these 4 months ago. I was skeptical but for the price they were worth a shot. They are rated for 500lbs each. You'd have to have a fat mini if it weighed any more than 2000lbs! Maybe with 4 adults in there. I don't have more than one passenger so this isn't an issue for me.
I mounted the tires (165 Falkens) myself and I have to say they were a breeze. Even seating the bead, didn’t have to use no fire tricks. Just wiggled the tire around and *POP*. Id like to say that the stretch is so minor that the tire still budges outwards. Comparing it with fellow car enthusiasts who do the whole stance stretch deal, it isn’t even noticeable as a “stretch”. Got them balanced too.
First thing I did was go to a race track (quarter mile) and I did a slow test run with these. They held up very nicely, inspected for cracks and vibration. After a few slow runs, I pinned it and let loose. After a day of abuse, they were still intact. Just a side note, Falkens and 180 HP don’t mix!
Next test I did was on a road that I never go on near my place. The road is so bad, full of dips, pot holes and dents. I purposely avoided this road when I went anywhere. But in the name of science I drove along it a few times. My back shattered. But the rims did not. Even after some course words and a few bangs on the subframe the rims stayed together. I took them off and inspected each one carefully. And no signs of cracks.
After a month I ended up driving the car to Toronto, no problems at all. The wheels took the harsh roads with pot holes, dips, and street car rails just fine. My subframe on the other hand has a few scrapes!
Fast forward 4 months later, I drive the car to school almost every day. The weather has finally gotten cold so I put her away. She sits quietly with her new wheels, with no issues at all. For anyone asking, I did paint the wheels myself. I painted the middles gold. Id like to get them powder coated though. Maybe next year.
Hopefully that gives anyone who is thinking about it some clarification. Again, I am in no way saying you should or shouldn't use these wheels. Ive presented you my findings, and it is now your job to make a decision.
Cheers,
Jeff Pang
Edited by Jeffreypang911, 20 December 2012 - 07:48 PM.
