Magnesium Wheels
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 33
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Magnesium Wheels
Considering a set of Magnesium wheels, but I'm hearing some horror stories about cracking and breaking. Any truth to these rumors? Will probably be mounting up some sticky tires (Hoosiers) for some autocross runs so I want to be sure the wheels are up to the task.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,138
Likes: 11
From: Fremont CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I had a set that I ran in over 100 Auto-X events with stick tires as well as 2 track days on sticky tires. I never had any issues and have never seen anyone have issues. Now, the finish is another story - the paint chips if you look at it crosseyed. Expect chips when having tires mounted unless your tire guy is amazing at his job. If they are in mint condition, have the tire guy verify that before he touches the wheels. 
By the way, The 2001 thinspokes are slightly lighter than the magnesium wheels but they ARE notorious for cracking under heavy strain.
By the way, The 2001 thinspokes are slightly lighter than the magnesium wheels but they ARE notorious for cracking under heavy strain.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,376
Likes: 4
From: Hershey, PA, USA
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
i have a set, the only problem w/ them is they are very hard to keep from getting chips in the paint.
i have a few chips on them and it seems like the only way they got there was from road stones & crap
i have a few chips on them and it seems like the only way they got there was from road stones & crap
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
I really like the Mag rims...something more exotic than the standard rims... Mag rims were very rare on sports cars when the C5 came out...the McLaren Roadcar used to have them...I say go for them
MFIC
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 14
From: Charlotte, North Carolina
Your profile is not complete, I have a set send me a PM with your email I'll send you pics.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 412
From: Lewisville TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
I actually have one set here on the shelf that were a take off set of a customer's car.
Rare item to be sure.
I have not seen any issues with the factory wheels breaking, at least with the Mag units but I don't know how many raced on them. I have seen some of the newer C6 factory wheels break however.
As far as the strength a lot of the old race wheels ran in the Corvette Challenge days were all Mag units and would take a beating. Depends on the manufacturer of the wheel as to how strong it is.
Rare item to be sure.
I have not seen any issues with the factory wheels breaking, at least with the Mag units but I don't know how many raced on them. I have seen some of the newer C6 factory wheels break however.
As far as the strength a lot of the old race wheels ran in the Corvette Challenge days were all Mag units and would take a beating. Depends on the manufacturer of the wheel as to how strong it is.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,237
Likes: 11
From: Lacombe Louisiana
Never heard of factory magnesium wheels cracking(I put 36,000 miles on a set).Thin spoke wheels are perhaps what you are thinking of with cracking problems.Ecklers and others I am sure make touch up paint for the magnesiums.
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Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: stl mo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,251
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From: Phoenix Arizona
I actually have one set here on the shelf that were a take off set of a customer's car.
Rare item to be sure.
I have not seen any issues with the factory wheels breaking, at least with the Mag units but I don't know how many raced on them. I have seen some of the newer C6 factory wheels break however.
As far as the strength a lot of the old race wheels ran in the Corvette Challenge days were all Mag units and would take a beating. Depends on the manufacturer of the wheel as to how strong it is.
Rare item to be sure.
I have not seen any issues with the factory wheels breaking, at least with the Mag units but I don't know how many raced on them. I have seen some of the newer C6 factory wheels break however.
As far as the strength a lot of the old race wheels ran in the Corvette Challenge days were all Mag units and would take a beating. Depends on the manufacturer of the wheel as to how strong it is.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 838
Likes: 17
From: Maple Valley WA
St. Jude Donor '10
Magnesium wheels are extremely light and, to my knowledge, typically forged. However, they aren't necessarily the safest in a high stress environment. For example, if a forged aluminum wheel fails at high speeds, it will most likely crack but hold together. Once cracked, if it goes unnoticed, you run the risk of catastrophic failure.
By contrast, if a forged magnesium wheels fails at a high speed, it is likely to simply come apart without warning as a result of its lower material density, causing an extremely hazardous situation - I've actually seen this happen on a GT1 Porsche 996 before... Took the whole rear quarter off!
By contrast, if a forged magnesium wheels fails at a high speed, it is likely to simply come apart without warning as a result of its lower material density, causing an extremely hazardous situation - I've actually seen this happen on a GT1 Porsche 996 before... Took the whole rear quarter off!
MFIC
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 14
From: Charlotte, North Carolina
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 1
From: Warner Robins GA
Does anyone know how much the mags weigh? I have a set on my 99 vert and was thinking of buying some Ruff Racing 19s/20s, but I'll take performance over looks if the mags are a lot lighter. The mags look good too though.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,138
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From: Fremont CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
NCM Sinkhole Donor
This is from one of the greatest threads ever - that everyone should bookmark...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...ngths-etc.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 838
Likes: 17
From: Maple Valley WA
St. Jude Donor '10
Here's a little reading material for you: http://www.fiagt.com/
PS - Corvette's happen to race in this series too
Last edited by DannyG; Dec 31, 2009 at 01:15 AM.
