First and foremost, determine what you intend to use your vehicle for. Is it for general road use, or purely for the show circuit, or some form of competitive use such as drifting, drags, circuit work, hill-climb or rallying?

This article outlines the steps required to select the correct set of replacement wheels for a normal passenger road car.

What you should know
All passenger vehicles sold in Australia since 1973 have a wheel and tyre placard attached to the vehicle, either in the glove box or around the front door jamb area. This placard will specify the wheel and tyre combinations recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Find the placard and make yourself aware of your vehicle's standard rim width, tyre size, tyre maximum speed rating and tyre load index at recommended inflation pressure.

Traffic Authority Regulations regarding aftermarket wheel fitment and the affect a wheel change may have on the vehicle's wheeltrack, varies between States in Australia. Similarly, insurance companies are known to have varying guidelines in respect of fitment of aftermarket wheels which if exceded can affect your ability to claim, as with any other illegal modification made to your vehicle. Before commencing your search for wheels, know the parameters allowed by these government and insurance bodies, related to your make and model of car. If your state or territory does not allow a certain size or width increase then local authorities will have no problem issuing you with a defect notice and a fine. Knowing what is and isn't allowed will narrow your search and enable you to select wheels which are compliant in terms of width, offset and load carrying capacity.
Rego & Insurance Rules

Most alloy passenger wheels when tested to the Australian Standard for alloy passenger wheels - "AS-1638" or the equivalent "JWL" International Standard, are tested to a maximum 690KG load carrying capacity. This is equivalent to a tyre load index of 95 at recommended inflation pressure.
Speedy Wheels have developed "high load rated" wheels for certain applications, which exceed this limit substantially. This is done for good reason and it is an area which few motorists consider at the time of wheel or tyre purchase, as they are generally unaware of the importance correct load rating capacity has to the performance and safety of the vehicle.

The tyre load index information on the vehicle's placard will allow you to determine whether or not you will need a wheel with above normal load carrying capacity, i.e if your car is a 2005 Holden VZ Monaro the OE tyre specification is 235/40R18 with a load/speed index of 91V = load carrying capacity of 615KG. Alternatively, you may drive a 2005 Holden VZ Crewman Executive with an OE tyre specification of 215/65R15 C = load carrying capacity of 900KG. So, if you intended to fit the 18 x 8.0 wheels from the Monaro onto the Crewman ute, then the wheels would bolt up, but would be an illegal fitment in terms of load carrying capacity. Alternatively, if you wished to upgrade the Crewman to 18" wheels with the correct load capacity, you would also have to give consideration to sourcing an appropriate high load index tyre. This tyre, would need to meet the required minimum load carrying capacity for that model vehicle.
Fitting a vehicle with inappropriate load index wheels and tyres, could result in failure of the products in service and be the cause of serious injury or damage.

Shopping for your new wheels
Armed with the facts regarding wheel size, permissible changes to vehicle track and load index requirements, the next enquiry is "what wheel styles are available for my vehicle"?
Your local wheel retailer will be able to suggest to you a myriad of brands and designs and the decision will be based largely upon your budget, what you are legally allowed to fit, what appeals to your eye and the look you wish to achieve for your car and strength of replacement warranties should a fault occur.

The range of designs is endless, but the two most popular styles which have remained popular over time, is the performance oriented five spoke design and the traditional lace design for prestige vehicles.

The range of finishes has become as varied as the styles. The top end for cost remains chrome plating and the cheapest version is a painted wheel.
A chrome finish will require regular maintenance, i.e. wash - weekly, polish - monthly, wax - every three months.
A painted wheel requires far less maintenance, i.e. wash - weekly, polish - every three months, wax - with car every six months. Note: most premium brand painted or machined face wheels have a protective clear coat finish, to help protect the luster of the front face surface of the wheel. Washing should be performed weekly, with warm soapy water and chamois or toweled dry. When using cleaners, polish or waxes, ensure they are mild and do not contain caustic agents.
Your auto accessory stockist will be able to recommend the appropriate product from the Meguiar's range, to clean and protect the original finish of your new wheels. It is imperative the clear coat finish remains sound and not pitted from a build up of brake pad dust or damaged, due to corrosive cleaners.

The most popular wheel finishes are painted, painted centre with machined outer lip, fully machined, chrome and more recently Speedy has released a revolutionary new process known as CLT (Chrome Lip Technology) where the centre is painted and the outer lip chrome plated. Two processes applied on the one surface.

Buyers of chrome wheels should be aware to only purchase wheels which have been chrome plated the old fashioned way using copper and nickel pre-coats. The process of making chrome adhere to aluminium alloy is difficult and the reject rate in manufacture is high. The copper and nickel base coats, assist the chrome plating to adhere to the wheel. A new and cheaper process of chroming is called "Sputtering". This process has the chrome in a powder form (similar to powder coat) and applied through a vacuum and electrolysis process. A similar process, as used to chrome headlight lenses. Over time with heat transfer through the wheel, chrome sputtering has shown a tendency to peel and flake off, which is not acceptable when compared to the durability of traditional chrome plating. You get what you pay for!

A good investment at the time of purchase, is to consider installing a set of wheel locks. Wheel locks will not stop a determined thief from stealing your new wheels, but will act as a deterrent and maybe make the potential thief pass on to an easier target. Reputable distributors have lock nut key registries, where you can register the unique number of your lock nut key, in the event that you loose the key and require a replacement key at a later time.

Prior to settling on a brand of wheel, ask the retailer to confirm if the brand you intend to purchase is reliable in terms of providing spare parts for your wheels (for instance, your centre caps may get lost or stolen) and that the maker provides a strong product warranty, in the event of you having to make a claim. Inability to source spares for your wheels can make them redundant in a short space of time and a poor investment.

Conclusion
Wheels are technically complex, but can be the most rewarding enhancement to your vehicle, providing the proper selection processes are adhered to. The information contained above is presented as a general guide only. For more specific information regarding wheel offsets, brake caliper clearance (x-factors), centre hub configuration, original vehicle specifications or any general enquiry, please contact our technical assistance staff at info@speedywheels.com.au or visit the website at www.speedywheels.com.au and follow the contact details.

Custom Made Wheels
By Ziggy
Budnik Wheels Australia

Wheels and Tyres are one of the most important aspects when building either a street or show car. They help set the stance, theme and standard of a car. As a result they should be one of your first considerations and purchases after you have finally decided on the direction your project will take.
The vast majority of wheel and tyre retailers offer a broad range of wheel design coupled with standard factory fitments. However, if your project calls for something unique, custom wheel manufacturers such as Budnik can make that dream a reality.

Wheel Types
There are many qualities of wheels on the market catering for all needs. For example:

-Cast Wheels
Are either investment cast, pressure cast or sand cast . Usually made for the mass market they are finished in a variety of ways, for example, chrome plated, powder coated, acid etched and also clear coat finished. As part of their manufacturing process cast wheels are often porous and therefore can show imperfections in their finish however it is simply a matter of finding the cast wheel that may suit your application. Cast wheels do offer very limited back-space options due to being manufactured to suit popular vehicle fitments. They are extremely easy to maintain and therefore are a ideal choice for the daily driver or street car. Cast wheels come in a one piece, two piece and three piece option.

-Billet Wheels
Are CNC Machined out of aircraft quality aluminium. They are either a forged centre or made out of billet plate. A forging will offer superior strength and quality. Not all Billet wheels are created equal. The time spent in programming and machining and polishing the product is all relative to the cost at the end. Some Billet wheel manufacturers choose to build more of a street application wheel where as some choose to build "the best they can". Like anything you only get what you pay for. They offer the flexability of diverse fitment as well as superior finish and depth of polish. Billet wheels can be successfully used on a street car but they do require high levels of maintenance.They can be clear coated to help with maintenance but you will lose about ten percent of the gloss. They are ideally suited to Sunday drivers, Show cars or if you simply lust after the best.

Planning and Determining What Wheel/Tyre Will Fit
When planning your project remember that the tyre selection is what makes the wheels fit the car. In other words, it is really important to match your wheel and tyre diameter to your wheel arch at ride height.
What will physically fit in the wheel opening and what you want are possibly two different things. If you are working with a standard chassis then this will limit your options so you must plan for this. Alternately if you are prepared to undertake major re-work on your chassis and/or bodywork, then the sky may be the limit.
Remember tyre fitment and ride height are critical considerations in your build.

To determine your wheel fitment (its pretty technical) click here!

Legalities
If you are planning to drive the car on the road you need to understand your state's legislation on the fitment of after market wheels. For general information on this topic click here

If you’re building a ground up project Budnik have the wheels for you, with our offset options you can build your car around your wheel of choice.

For Further Information
Contact Budnik Wheels Australia

Choosing The Right Tyres
By Stephen Burke
Toyo Tyre & Rubber Australia Ltd

Tyres are ultimately responsible for transmitting all steering, drive, cornering and braking forces to the road. The tyres you choose will be one of the key factors in determining whether your vehicle will perform to your expectations. Money spent to increase engine power, improve braking and suspension performance is wasted unless the vehicles tyre's can utilise these upgrades to provide improved acceleration, shorter stopping distances and higher corner speeds. Avoid buying the cheapest tyre that will fit your rims, do the research and choose tyres that provide the characteristics you want. If chosen wisely, tyres can provide the best value per dollar compared to any vehicle modification.

Planning - choosing wheel & tyre sizes
Whether you are doing light mods or building a hot-rod from scratch, planning will save you money and provide the result you want.
If you are building a hot-rod, it is highly recommended you consult your engineer to establish the range of wheel sizes you can use. Before you purchase wheels, ensure there are suitable tyres available for them. Click here
If you are building a vehicle which may also compete in drag events or track days, the wheel and tyre sizes you purchase for track events will be determined by the tyre brands and patterns you can use in the class of racing you will compete in. Refer to the CAMS Manual of Motor Sport for this information.
Each tyre size is designed to fit on a specific range of rim widths. For optimum tyre performance try to avoid fitting tyres to the narrowest rim allowable. All tyre manufacturers can supply information regarding recommended rim widths.

Impact of Changing Sizes
If you are changing from the standard specs for your car, one important factor to consider is any change in the rolling diameter of the tyre as this can have an impact on performance, fuel consumption, and your speedo reading. To determine what impact a change may have, and for a really useful tyre size calculator click here

Decoding Tyre Sizes

All tyres have a tyre size marked on the side wall. Most passenger car tyres now use the size designation type shown below:

255/35ZR19 96Y

255 = The tyre section width, in this case 255mm. This is measured from the very edge of each sidewall (not including embossed letters).
35 = The tyre "profile", series or aspect ratio. This is calculated by dividing the tyre's section width by the section height, and multiplying this by 100 to get a percentage. The section height is measured from the base of the bead to the very top of the tyre's tread. The tyre's profile expresses the tyre's height as a percentage of its width.
Z = Indicates the tyre has a speed capability of over 240 km/h.
R = This letter refers to the tyre casing construction. R = Radial construction.
Bias-ply construction tyres are indicated with a “-“ or “D”.
19 = This number is the wheel diameter measured in inches.
96 = This number refers to the load Index. See below.
Y = This letter refers to the speed rating. See below.
96Y = The load index and speed symbol expressed together are referred to
as the service description.

Load Index - This indicates the tyre’s maximum rated load capacity at its maximum speed and cold inflation pressure. All states require replacement or alternative tyres to have a load index that is equal to or better than the minimum load index that is stated on the tyre placard. Note that the minimum load index stated on the tyre placard is often lower than the load index of the original equipment tyres.

Load Index Code Conversion Table

Speed Rating - The speed rating indicates the tyre's maximum rated speed capability at the tyre's maximum load and cold inflation pressure. You will need to check your States requirement regarding the minimum speed rating they require for your car for alternative tyres. Bare in mind that from a legal perspective, whilst you may be fine in your State running on "S" rated tyres, they may not be rated to anywhere near the maximum speed of your car.

For more information regarding tyre size designations refer to the Technical information article on the Toyo website "Tyre Sizes and Service Descriptions explained".

Legalities
When fitting tyres or wheels that are a different size to those fitted as original equipment, you will need to refer to your vehicle's tyre placard. All passenger vehicles sold in Australia since 1973 are fitted with a tyre placard. This is usually attached to the door-jamb, inside the glove box, or occasionally under the bonnet or fuel cap flap. All tyre and wheel sizes listed on your tyre placard can be fitted to your vehicle with no legality problems, as these have been recommended as suitable by the vehicle manufacturer. Regulations regarding fitting alternative wheels and tyres do vary from State to State. For these regulations please refer to your State Regulatory body. A summary of tyre requirements can also be found in the Technical Information Bulletins at www.toyo.com.au. This bulletin was produced in December 2005, so checking your State regulations for updates is advisable.

Where alternative wheels and tyres do not meet the State regulations for alternative wheels and tyres, an automotive engineer's approval & certification is needed for this vehicle modification. It is advisable to consult your automotive engineer before purchasing wheels or tyres to ensure they can be certified where this is necessary.

Choosing a tyre brand and pattern
Once you have chosen wheel and tyre size(s) that are legal fitment for your vehicle and are available, you need to choose a tyre brand and pattern. When choosing a tyre pattern, you should have in mind what tyre performance characteristics are most important to you, such as cornering grip, ride comfort, tread noise, or tread life. Keep in mind that the patterns that provide very high levels of grip usually have faster wear rates compared to tyres with lower maximum grip levels.

Depending on the tyre size or sizes you have chosen, tyre manufacturers will have different patterns available that are designed to provide different characteristics. As an example: in most tyre sizes with a profile of 55 or lower, Toyo has three patterns available, the Proxes T1R is an ultra high performance tyre with the highest grip levels of any street tyre in the Toyo range. The Proxes 4 has lower grip levels compared to the Proxes T1R, but has a slower wear rate and improved ride comfort, or the TEO plus, which is designed specifically to provide a slow wear rate, low tread noise and high levels of ride comfort, but has lower grip levels compared to the Proxes T1R or Proxes 4.

It is recommended where possible that the same tyre pattern is fitted to front and rear axles to ensure balanced handling and grip levels.

Why pay more for a high quality tyre brand
Producers of high quality tyres use the latest production methods and materials, as well as extensive testing to ensure their products perform as intended. Tread compounds and casing constructions that incorporate the latest technologies will generally provide the best compromise of tread wear versus grip, compared to cheaper tyres in equivalent patterns, as well as other desired characteristics such as progressive brake-away. The latest production methods produce tyres with exceptional consistency & uniformity. Uniformity (roundness and balance) tolerances for high quality tyres are finer to minimise ride disturbance caused by vibration. High quality tyre brands usually have local technicians for product back-up and monitoring.

For more technical information regarding tyres and Toyo Tyre product information visit www.toyo.com.au

From an Exhaust Technicians perspective
By David Atherton
Carline Mufflers

Planning
The first step should be based around what your car will be used for. Are you building a show car, an every day street car, or somewhere between the 2. The requirements for each do vary. A dedicated show car will want polished stainless steel, very few welds, and as discrete as possible pipe work. A vehicle that is only used on the strip will need a clean flowing system with tig-welded mufflers and have completely different noise restrictions. The street cruiser will naturally need to adhere to legal noise levels and have the pipes exit the vehicle at the correct points as required by law. The exhaust is generally the last thing people design or plan when building any car. But it is something you need to keep in mind through the whole process. Will you have clearance over a nine-inch diff, can you get the tail pipes around the drop tank, is the remote fuel pump located correctly, and will you be able to get over speed humps without wiping the mufflers out? These are just some things you will need to keep in mind.