370z MEATY TIRE THREAD

[VinceThe1]

Originally Posted by RBfastback

that's some good info. thanks guys.
yeah I read about weldcraft and that when there done with it the wheel is actually more balanced then it was stock but still ill just wait to get some new wheels.
I'm in no rush, I like the nismo rims.

Balance and wobble are 2 different things. It depends on the wheel quality obviously but it should be very near perfectly balanced from the factory. If it's not, well there's a quality issue there...that can be corrected later yes.

They should however be completely wobble free as they are finished on a lathe which makes them perfectly round...once welded they cannot put them on a lathe again because they'd be taking away from the aluminum and would make the 18" wheel less than 18" and as I'm sure you can understand, that wouldn't be good.

So, when matched properly which is very difficult...it can be close, but not completely wobble free as from factory. Again, it would work if done right, it just depends if you wanna go that route or not at the end I guess.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by VinceThe1

Balance and wobble are 2 different things. It depends on the wheel quality obviously but it should be very near perfectly balanced from the factory. If it's not, well there's a quality issue there...that can be corrected later yes.

They should however be completely wobble free as they are finished on a lathe which makes them perfectly round...once welded they cannot put them on a lathe again because they'd be taking away from the aluminum and would make the 18" wheel less than 18" and as I'm sure you can understand, that wouldn't be good.

So, when matched properly which is very difficult...it can be close, but not completely wobble free as from factory. Again, it would work if done right, it just depends if you wanna go that route or not at the end I guess.

Hate to say it. BUT you have no concept on how some things are done. The company I used to work for. Did this stuff all the time on small and large equipment like steam turbines and gas turbines, and rotating equipment. Anywhere from and couple of lbs to 200,000+ lbs. Working with tolerances of ".0002, and balancing within a few in/oz. Doing wheels is child's play.

[VinceThe1]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Hate to say it. BUT you have no concept on how some things are done. The company I used to work for. Did this stuff all the time on small and large equipment like steam turbines and gas turbines, and rotating equipment. Anywhere from and couple of lbs to 200,000+ lbs. Working with tolerances of ".0002, and balancing within a few in/oz. Doing wheels is child's play.

I hate to say this too...but I don't think you realize that yes, even though this is possible with millions of dollars of equipment and someone that knows how to use it correctly, this WILL not be the case when someone gives their wheels for someone to widen at a local shop...or even shipping them somewhere. These type of skills take years of experience and lots of knowledge to possess...whoever works in a shop and widens wheels, you can trust me, 99% of the time will be someone that worked at jiffy lube or discount tire that butches oil pan threads, wheels, studs, and anything else they get their hands on. I have way too much experience with those types of people, including dealership technicians, to be extremely skeptical when anyone touches my car...and that's why I do everything myself.

At any rate, there's a reason forged wheels have an advantage over cast, and certainly welded wheels, and especially someone that will overheat the aluminum while welding it, making it even more brittle. You cannot tell me a welded aluminum seam will be nearly as strong as a forged single piece of aluminum.

I do agree that pretty much anything can be done with peoper equipment and professionals...but willl you to find this level of professionalism when looking to widen your wheels? Maybe you might...but not everyone will, life isn't this perfect...not even close. That's just my opinion though

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by VinceThe1

I hate to say this too...but I don't think you realize that yes, even though this is possible with millions of dollars of equipment and someone that knows how to use it correctly, this WILL not be the case when someone gives their wheels for someone to widen at a local shop...or even shipping them somewhere. These type of skills take years of experience and lots of knowledge to possess...whoever works in a shop and widens wheels, you can trust me, 99% of the time will be someone that worked at jiffy lube or discount tire that butches oil pan threads, wheels, studs, and anything else they get their hands on. I have way too much experience with those types of people, including dealership technicians, to be extremely skeptical when anyone touches my car...and that's why I do everything myself.

At any rate, there's a reason forged wheels have an advantage over cast, and certainly welded wheels, and especially someone that will overheat the aluminum while welding it, making it even more brittle. You cannot tell me a welded aluminum seam will be nearly as strong as a forged single piece of aluminum.

I do agree that pretty much anything can be done with peoper equipment and professionals...but willl you to find this level of professionalism when looking to widen your wheels? Maybe you might...but not everyone will, life isn't this perfect...not even close. That's just my opinion though

How much welding experience you have?

Weldcraft has been around for a long time. They had done 2 sets of motorcycle wheels for me years ago when I raced them. They have experience people, and the equipment.

What it boils down to with the welded wheels. If you can't find the wheel style with the width and back spacing. This is an option. Myself, I run Forgeline wheels.

[VinceThe1]

Originally Posted by Rusty

How much welding experience you have?

Weldcraft has been around for a long time. They had done 2 sets of motorcycle wheels for me years ago when I raced them. They have experience people, and the equipment.

What it boils down to with the welded wheels. If you can't find the wheel style with the width and back spacing. This is an option. Myself, I run Forgeline wheels.

I know I don't have neraly enough welding experience to weld aluminum properly. Weldcraft is probably a good option for widening wheels...maybe even as good as you can find depending on the specific person doing the job. However, as you said...It's an option for making something you can't find/buy. If you can, I would suggest forged aluminum wheels over welded aluminum wheels haha.

[Rusty]

This is what I mean by MEATY!

[Rusty]