6ul wheels

[Dtangard]

Hey guys, I was thinking about buying a set of 15x8 6ul wheels and was wondering if any of you had experience with these wheels. I'm mostly concerned with durability. Thanks for the help.

[TroyV]

You mean these?

http://s423.photobucket.com/albums/pp31 ... %20wheels/

These wheels saw about 5k track miles.

[breakaway500]

The 1st generation 6UL wheels (Made from 1/07-07/08) are not as strong as the second generation 6UL wheels,and did fatigue crack as Troys photos clearly show (nice photos). The second gen wheels are quite a bit stronger in critical areas and constructed using a better method. Here is a link to the 949 Racing website,which explains the 6UL story.. http://949racing.com/wheeltech.aspx

From the 949 site:

Service Life
All aluminum race wheels have a finite service life. It is important to check the wheels for cracks before every competition or track day. Gen 1 6UL's (without "6UL" cast into face), may crack after several years of track use with race compound tires and kerb hits. If you find cracks in any aluminum race wheel, it must be removed from service and destroyed. We recommend drilling a large hole in the outer rim to make sure no one else uses a cracked wheel. Failure to regularly inspect your wheels may result injury or death.


Fwiw,I have two sets of 2nd generation 6UL wheels (15x8 and 15x9)and run 275 width tires on them and have had no issues,and they are checked after every event..

[Shawn624]

Fwiw,I have two sets of 2nd generation 6UL wheels (15x8 and 15x9)and run 275 width tires on them and have had no issues.

I'm glad I saw this post before ordering as I was considering ordering the 15x7s this week.

How long have you had the 2nd gen wheels?

[breakaway500]

I purchased my first set in spring '09..and second set in fall '09,and the first units have seen 4 sets of tires,so about 16 event days..give or take.A couple of those events were open track days,so some long sessions and miles. I have not heard of any issues with the second Gen units and there are a bunch of them out there seeing hard track use.

[TroyV]

How many track miles do you have on your Gen 2's Mark? Are you driving Flat Out enough?

[breakaway500]

Tough to put an exact mileage figure on them..but def in the "well used" mileage range.. I don't believe I drive "flat out" much,as it tends to make me "flat broke"...

[TroyV]

I didn't realize there was more than one generation of the wheel until very recently. Still....I have trust issues with wheels, what with Jeff's recent incident, and then finding cracks in my own.

[breakaway500]

Jeffs wheels were factory cast units,with who knows how many miles..running track rubber. I would like to show you the pile of stock wheels behind my shop with cracks/damage.
Even the best race quality wheels evenually can/will fatigue crack,as also stated by Emillio of 949...with the above "finite life" statement. All wheels flex,especially lightweight alloy wheels.Sure,you could run a 30lb steel wheel and it would last forever,but..running light alloy wheels and eventual replacement are the price you pay for better performance..so you can drive flat out.. 949 is constantly making a good product better...ergo the 6UL gen 2 design.They race what they sell.

[Dtangard]

Thanks for the insight. I have the same wheels Jeff had with unknown mileage on them too. I think its time for an upgrade. Troy, what size wheel did you have?

Answered my own question by looking at your pictures.

[nateh]

I don't believe I drive "flat out" much,as it tends to make me "flat broke".

Like Perry McCarthy?

[TroyV]

Not bashing 949.. Just posted the pics as a reminder to check your wheels no matter what they are.

There were a lot of Miatas at the last event that had 6UL's. I inspected all the wheels I saw, none of them had cracks in them aside from mine. Then again, most of them looked nearly new. Mine were a few years old.

[Grippy]

Troy,

Did Emilio do anything for you on the old cracked wheels? Just curious.

FWIW, I have never cracked an RPF1 after many years and thousands of track miles including enduros.

Gordon

[breakaway500]

It's hard to find a 15x8" wheel in 4x100. That is why 949 came out with the 6UL in '07;demand for a wider 15" wheel for the Miata. If you want strength and lightweight in that size (or any size for that matter..) you could buy a Keizer forged..at more than double the price of a 6UL. However,they will still wear out...

[wizzman]

Hey Derek,

I have been running 2nd gen 15X8 6UL wheels on the street and for auto-x for the last 18 months or so. No issues with with them whatsoever:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y192/w ... G_1057.jpg

I picked up a 2nd set of them in the 15X7 size for my track set. I went with the 15X7 just because they were both cheaper and lighter and I was going to run the 205/55/15 RA-1 no matter what. No issues with them at all through four track days.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y192/w ... 4Large.jpg