Competition wire wheels?

[wangdango]

I am now in the R&D phase of upgrading my '56 100 LeMans vintage race car. In the past we have run heavy duty Dayton painted 60 spoked wheels. However after 3-4 seasons, the spokes begin to break (they only stretch some many cycles before they need to be re-laced). As rebuilding these is almost the same as a new set we usually go that route. Our club (VSCCA), does not permit Mini-lites and the Dunlop knock off wheels while beautiful are too expensive. So, was thinking of going for Dayton heavy duty 72 spoked painted wheels in the hope the extra spokes will give a few more seasons. Are the "Cobra" laced style wheels stronger? We run Dunlop racing tires and they grip really well and provide a very nice "slide" towards their limit. Just wondering who has any input on this topic. And, yes, I do know the Mini lites are safer, however they are just not permitted. Thanks in advance.
Ed

 

[Keoke]

I would think new wheels or relacing the existing wheels spokes with stainless steel ones would solve your problem.They can be painted too if you like.

 

[Randy Forbes]

I'm on my second set of Cobra wheels__the first set was sold for financial reasons, not because they needed replacement__but I used to autocross on them with the stickiest street tires then available (Yokohoma A001s) and year after year, they always passed the wooden screwdriver test (hitting the spokes resounding in "tings" and not "thunks").

While I realize this was in no way the same amount of side loads that your wheels take in a year's time, I never noted any weaknesses with them.

The same (as in more recently purchased) wheels are fitted to the car once again, but gets driven a lot more leisurely nowadays.

 

[Healey Nut]

How about using the Jaguar centre laced wheels , you will need different stub axles because they are wider . A guy I know has them on his BJ8 and they look very nice .

 

[DerekJ]

Replica Dunlop Aluminium wheels are available at about $350 a wheel. I would doubt the 'Cobra' laced wheels are any stronger but 72 spokes will be assuming they are allowable on a 100.

 

[Lotuswins]

Ed,

What material do the Dunlop wheels use in their spokes versus the Dayton? Are the spokes dimensionally interchangable? Would it be possible to lace the wheels with the stronger spokes? or go to the 72 also with stronger spokes? Just curious since back in the day they did race with these style wheels, didn't they?

Contrary to Keoke's opinion (sorry Keoke) I don't think the SS spokes would be as strong as the carbon steel ones since SS generally will elongate more and has a lower yield/ultimate strength unless they have some exotic SS they use.

At the ABFM in Portland this year a fellow was selling a set of 72 spoke chrome/SS wheels for a healey which had failed (several broken spokes on one, stretched spokes on another) which came off the rear of a V8 powered Healey. The wheels were virtually new, less than a year old. Obviously they were abused, but apparently not up to snuff from a competition standpoint. I didn't get which manufacturer made the wheels, unfortunately.

 

[dougie]

Ed -

I race Superlite aluminum spline drive now, but still have a set of 72 spoke Dayton wires I use when required (once or twice a year). They're about 8 years old now, no broke spokes or other issues. I had them spot peened https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shot_peening prior to powder coating after acquiring them. I think this process has doubled their life cycle and the finish is superior to cheap enamel the factory applies.