UPDATE!!! - We just received a set, let me sort out the details. Pricing appears to be better than I originally thought. I'll have more info shortly.

 

SUNCOAST,

is this the RS spyder CENTERLOCK wheel that will be available for TURBO and GT3 RS if conversion is done on MY 07/08?

P.S. - of course not the same CENTERLOCK set-up as CUP cars.

 

That's it, we just added it to our website. We expected the conversion kit to be about $20-25k. Looks like the complete package is a fraction of what we expected. See the site for details, click HERE. Honestly, we were shocked at the pricing.

This should fit any 997 Turbo, 2006-2010.

 

according to porsche, the center lock system weighs less than the conventional five lug set up. i remember this from my homework on the gt3.2. i do not remember the exact weight savings though. (my memory could be faulty though, since it has been over eight months since i took delivery)

 

Not too bad price SUNCOAST!!!!

So this would fit 2007/08 GT3 also if someone wanted to pursue centerlock and use GT3 centerlock wheels?

 

From what I know.......this is only for Turbo's. I'm not aware of a GT3 version.

We just corrected the pricing, and just added the retro-fit kit for Ceramic cars.

 

For $8k+, plus installation and other thing you'll probably want to do to your car later, I think you'll be better off selling your car and buying a 2010 GT3...

 

why would you do this?

unless you are professionally racing, and even then, if you have the budget get a 2010 RS.

for tracking, i don't think there is any advantage to this, as i am not in a hurry to chance wheels when im at the track.

 

I can't speak for the Porsche factory, but we put a lot of engineering into making lightweight wheels in both Centerlock and five lug. WE were unable to make the centerlock wheels as light as the five lug, with the same load rating.

Technically, the GT3 has a lower TUV load requirement than the Turbo. So you may be able to make a GT3-specific wheel that is lighter than a Turbo wheel.
But then you couldn't use it on a converted Turbo.

The factory 19x8.5 centerlocks weigh about 23.5 lbs (this from memory). This is nearly identical to the 5-lug OE wheels. So the selling point for lower mass is a bit of a stretch. The centerlocks MAY have a slightly better "moment of inertia" than the 5-lug, but now we're talking some serious scientific measurement.

So, instead of $10,000 minimum for a conversion, you can get some lightweight forged 5-lug wheels for half the price, save 30 lbs of unsprung weight and not have to worry if you get a flat tire.

I confess that the Centerlocks do look cool, but there is nothing to be gained in reduced mass by doing the conversion.

 

The wheels account for most of the weight reduction, they should be lighter than the stock wheels. Not sure about the center locking system, but they may reduce the weight slightly too. If I can find more technical details, I will pass it along.

 

This is a head-scratcher. Weigh the wheels yourself. The Porsche OE Centerlocks are nearly exactly the same weight as the 5-lug wheels. To be exact, the 19x8.5 GT3 centerlocks weigh 23.55 lbs and the Turbo wheels weigh 23.85 lbs.
So where is the weight savings?

 

Not looking for a bickering-contest. Porsche designed this kit for a reason, it's not just for show. I'm not an engineer, but it has to do with rotational mass. Like an ice skater...bringing their arms closer to spin faster. The difference is from the hubs-outward. You're replacing five lug nuts and hub-hardware with a centrally located (hollow) aluminum center lock. The vehicles actual weight may not change much, but there would be an improvement in the vehicles handling.

Just found this on Porsche's site, this explains the center locking wheel system which originated on the GT3:

"The new 911 GT3 runs on onepiece, titanium-colored, 19-inch GT3 wheels. Taken directly from motorsport is the new central locking device with GT3 logo. The advantages over a conventional five-hole screwed fitting include better driving dynamics and performance thanks to fewer rotating masses and, of course, faster wheel changes. A huge advantage – especially when racing. "

 

It saves weight at the hubs. 5 lbs per corner.

 

Thanks for the information. I always suspect that the key weight saving is more at the hub than at the wheel.

Regards,

 

I may be a bit off, but I do know that:

The 997.2 red brakes are 2.4 kg lighter than the 997.1 red brakes despite being uprated. The was mainly down to the aluminium centre hubs.

The 997.2 yellow brakes are 4.8kg lighter than the 997.1 yellow brakes despite being uprated. The was also mainly down to the aluminium centre hubs.