[Teutonic Speedra...]

Just like the title says. I am about to buy a set of the 10 spoke SS wheels with F1's (8k miles) for $500 for the track. I remember hearing they were weak. Is there any truth to that?

[lateapex]

I visited a well known custom wheel manufacturer last summer, and he told me a horror story concerning a set of his wheels. The customer wanted the wheels to match his car color, so the manufacturer had them powder coated. The customer sent the wheels back asking that they be recoated a slightly different shade. Done. The customer returned the wheels again saying that the shade was really close, but needed to be just a little lighter. Manufacturer has them powder coated a third time.

Customer calls to say color is perfect, but that one of the wheels failed on its first track day. (this manufacturer has a very good reputation, and is the #1 three-piece wheel supplier in the country. Every one of John Heinricy’s race cars I have seen has used that make). Upon analysis, the forged aluminum wheel centers are basically putty. Three trips through the powder coat oven have WAY over-annealed the alloy. Here is a quote from Muller Machine; it is a guide to heating aluminum hubs to help in removing bearings:

“Also... at anything over 350F, the chances of permanently softening aluminum increase quite a bit... so if you happen to set the oven temperature high (in a hurry?), and you forget the parts in the oven... you could end up with some aluminum hubs that are no longer 6061-T6... they might now be 6061-T-butter!”

To add to Steve's comments, properly chroming a wheel (so the finish lasts) can add over 2 lbs to the weight, as well as weakening the wheel.