[Slowclimb]

Anyone consider pressing Mazda 2 Hubs on their car? They use a more common 4 X 100 bolt pattern. I am considering this if I move out of G Stock next year, but it could be a good way to get access to a bigger selection of better wheels then the 4 X 108 pattern that was used on the Fiesta...not sure why they did that to us.

 

[AdrianBrewster]

I'd be curious how much it would cost to have someone do that. I might just have some 4x100s sitting around. Hmmm good thought.

 

[BRGT350]

Ford of Europe has used 4 x 108 for a very long time, never 4 x 100. I don't get the issue people are having with 4 x 108 wheels, there are a ton of great wheels available in 4 x 108. The Focus/Contour guys have been using 4 x 108 wheels and there are many awesome looking wheel packages installed on their cars. You could do what I have done if you find a wheel you have to own, but it is 4 x 100, which is just have them machined for 4 x 108. I did that with my Axis Touring cups back in 1999 and have been using them ever since.

Since there isn't a Mazda2 ST, you will need to drill all of your brakes to 4 x 100, and I would get a spare set machined since you now have a wear item that can't be purchased off the shelf.

If you want to go through all the work of replacing hubs, I would upgrade to the Fiesta R2 Tarmac hubs, rotors, and calipers. You get more wheel clamp load from 5 lugs, better load distrubution, and rally proven hardware. I am pretty sure the R2 Tarmac uses AP Racing calipers. I have only seen the R2 Gravel kit since there aren't too many tarmac events in the US. The R2 gravel brakes are pretty impressive, but the tarmac ones are even bigger.

 

[Cligedy]

Ford of Europe has used 4 x 108 for a very long time, never 4 x 100. I don't get the issue people are having with 4 x 108 wheels, there are a ton of great wheels available in 4 x 108. The Focus/Contour guys have been using 4 x 108 wheels and there are many awesome looking wheel packages installed on their cars. You could do what I have done if you find a wheel you have to own, but it is 4 x 100, which is just have them machined for 4 x 108. I did that with my Axis Touring cups back in 1999 and have been using them ever since.

Since there isn't a Mazda2 ST, you will need to drill all of your brakes to 4 x 100, and I would get a spare set machined since you now have a wear item that can't be purchased off the shelf.

If you want to go through all the work of replacing hubs, I would upgrade to the Fiesta R2 Tarmac hubs, rotors, and calipers. You get more wheel clamp load from 5 lugs, better load distrubution, and rally proven hardware. I am pretty sure the R2 Tarmac uses AP Racing calipers. I have only seen the R2 Gravel kit since there aren't too many tarmac events in the US. The R2 gravel brakes are pretty impressive, but the tarmac ones are even bigger.

There are wheels options out there, but it's just a fraction of what is available for the 4x100. Certainly many of the popular lightweight autocross wheels (think Enkei RPF1) are not available in the 4x108. I have 3 sets of 4x100 wheels collecting dust in my garage right now.
Ford explicitly said that they expect ST customers to modify these cars. Wheels are a common first mod, and 4x108 is certainly a less common size.

 

[Slowclimb]

I have been looking around for decent priced, light-ish wheels and my options seem limited in a GS compatible wheel. There are TONS of option out there for a 4X100 since so many cars use that pattern. Once I either redrill or replace the hub it pushes me out of stock, but my options for new and used wheels goes way up. I was also considering getting a set of wheels redrilled - I think there is a place near me that does it for about 50 dollars a wheel.

 

[Slowclimb]

There are wheels options out there, but it's just a fraction of what is available for the 4x100. Certainly many of the popular lightweight autocross wheels (think Enkei RPF1) are not available in the 4x108. I have 3 sets of 4x100 wheels collecting dust in my garage right now.
Ford explicitly said that they expect ST customers to modify these cars. Wheels are a common first mod, and 4x108 is certainly a less common size.

Bingo - don't see the benefit of the odd ball size except to push you to get the Ford Racing stuff...I would love to get some Enkei RPF1's - had them on my miata.

 

[wash]

Where can I find info and how to buy that R2 tarmac stuff?

 

[BRGT350]

The Fiesta is ungodly popular with tuners in Europe where they use 4 x 108 wheels. I don't know how far back in time the 4 x 108 goes in Europe, but at least until the early 1980's. For the hot hatch crowd in Europe, where the ST was developed, a Ford with 4 x 108 wheels is pretty much standard.

I would drill the wheels if possible. When I bought my Touring Cups in 1999, there were almost zero wheel options in the US for 4 x 108. The Focus wasn't out yet, the SVT Contour was just getting popular, and no other Ford's had the 4 x 108 at the time. I had talked to Axis who did a set of Touring Cups for a Focus SEMA car, and had another set made for me. I have been very happy in going that route.

Wash, Ford Racing, Team O'Neil, and MSport sell the R2 stuff. Team O'Neil is working on a RA spec ST and I would assume they will be running the R2 brakes.

 

[Cligedy]

The Europeans are doing a poor job of marketing their wheels here. If having wheels that don't fit custom re-machined is the best choice, then 4x108 is a poor choice.

European wheel guys, if you are reading this, shower us with your bounty of lightweight affordable wheels!

 

[Slowclimb]

Right...where can I get access to the plethora of 4X108's I don't doubt they are there, but there does not help me here

Maybe next time I am over for the Festival of Speed or some other event I will stick a set in my luggage

 

[BRGT350]

http://fiestast.net/threads/new-team-dynamics-pro-race-1-2-stock-01-07-14.659/#post-10055
Team Dynamic wheels from Europe sold by a FiestaST.net member

Braid also makes nice wheels in 4 x 108 and are sold by a number of places.

I can't remember who sells Compomotive in the US, but they are some of the best looking race wheels on the planet. BatInc might sell them, or perhaps Susquehanna Motorsports. I just saw them the other day, but can't remember who sells them. They have been used on a lot of rally and road race cars over the years.

OZ of course makes the MSport R2 gravel and tarmac wheels in 4 x 108.

I guess being a SVT Contour-Focus MkI-Fiesta guy has got me used to dealing with only 4 x 108 wheel options. If I was in the market for new wheels, I would strongly consider Compomotive, Team Dynamics, or fifteen52 (wheels are a little chunky).

 

[wash]

Looking at 4*100, I could get a 14 lb forged 16*8" off the shelf or have a multitude of offset options.

The difference isn't even close because so many Japanese cars use 4*100 along with the Mini too (I think).

I think its funny that a Prius gets five lug wheels but not a Fiesta ST...

 

[Slowclimb]

OZ, Compomotive and Team Dynamics are nice wheels, just to pricey for what I want to use them for. Yea, 4X100 gives lots more options for less...but I guess there are some good options in the 4 X 108, just not as many at this point.

 

[Slowclimb]

So apparently over on the focus forums I have seen this comes up too. There is a guy in california who is will redrill the old focus hubs, disks and drums for 120 a set. It might be worth finding someone local to you and see if they can do the same. Or contact this guy and send him another set of hubs and disks and then swap them.

 

[RodMoe]

Only thing bad about redrilling the hubs is finding brakes that work is my guess..
Coming from Non Ford cars I too have a few sets of light 4x100 and 5x100 wheels that can be used as chairs and what not
But there are options if you like a heavy 20+lb wheel or are willing to wait. for a overseas order. Would be nice to have the selection that the Imports enjoy but I knew this coming into this car so it was not a deal breaker just need to hone your google type skills and shop a lot..
Can't wait for my Team D wheels to get here in a few more weeks or months LOL

 

[Slowclimb]

I am scouring the early generation focus forums for used wheels. They are just going to get beat on so don't want to spend big bucks on them

 

[RodMoe]

I picked up a set of Focus SVT rims last fall in a 17 inch size they work but tire size is so limited there. They got put in the race trailer till spring comes then I may look at some tweener tires once the snow is gone and the cold is still here .. who knows this winter ..

 

[wash]

It should be fairly trivial to re-drill the hub for a dual pattern, same with the disks.

You can use the existing hole pattern to locate the hub in your milling machine vise, then use a test indicator to find center, zero your DRO and then drill the new pattern exactly 45° off the old.

Disks are similar.

Re-drilling wheels, the taper seat complicates things and some wheels have pockets right where you need to drill.

I've asked wheel manufacturers who have wheels that look good except for the pattern to do 4*108 and have been told I need a minimum order of 20-60 wheels for them to make a batch.

 

[Cligedy]

You can use the existing hole pattern to locate the hub in your milling machine vise, then use a test indicator to find center, zero your DRO and then drill the new patterny exactly 45° off the old.

In who's milling machine vise?

 

[Izzy]

Yup...I'm looking desperately for a 16x8 wheel for my FiST. I contacted Rota and they basically said that I could pick between 3 wheels they already make but would require 60 wheels to be purchased. Wheel selection sucks! !

It should be fairly trivial to re-drill the hub for a dual pattern, same with the disks.

You can use the existing hole pattern to locate the hub in your milling machine vise, then use a test indicator to find center, zero your DRO and then drill the new pattern exactly 45° off the old.

Disks are similar.

Re-drilling wheels, the taper seat complicates things and some wheels have pockets right where you need to drill.

I've asked wheel manufacturers who have wheels that look good except for the pattern to do 4*108 and have been told I need a minimum order of 20-60 wheels for them to make a batch.