Nissan 370Z Forum - Forgestar F14 vs Forged rims

Sounds like you know a lot about wheels.

Can you recommend something strong and light (or at least not heavier than the stock 19's) in 18"? I want to get some 18's b/c the cost and selection for tires for 18's is much better. I'm going to keep my stock wheels for the street but looking for some 18's for track. Any suggestions?

Thanks.

Brian

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishey (Post 3067070)

Yea, but Rays/Volk rims are not a top quality product. When it comes to Rims they are mid level grade.

You can buy a high level wheel for 4k a set which will be better in every single way then a Volk wheel.

There are a ton of differences in "Forged" wheels so I will try to break them down for you as simplistically as I can.

The first type of wheel are cheap forged wheels. These are generally your knock off rims. They are cold forged meaning they are formed at room temp with a press that just forms the billet into wheel shape. They then are mated with another billet of various sizes and put into a form flowing machine to produce the barrel.

The second type (rays/volks) are hot forged with a press into a certain shape. The hot forging allows for far better strength and more detailed forging that allows for a lighter wheel. This is then mated with a billet of various sizes and cold spun (form flowed) to make the barrel of the wheel.

The third type you will find on high end race wheels are hot press forged throughout. These wheel forgings are extremely strong and they also include the barrel. The barrel is machined first on these wheels and the barrel size is determined before machining begins. So you have to have the correct forged blank so sizing can be limited as a result. The barrel is turned and then the face of the wheel is cut to the specified design by a CNC machine. This process allows for very fine details compared to both the Cold and Hot press forging as you can cut the blank however you want. The main drawback is compared to a Forged Spoke shape you do cut the grain structure. The offset also has to be cut off the pad to get the desired fitment for the wheel. There are limitations to this pad as well so again fitment can become an issue as you have to have an appropriate forged blank to start with. This leaves you with an entirely forged wheel both center and barrel and they are extremely strong. They are far less likely to bend then a Rays style wheel due to this additional strength.

These wheel are fully forged and are the strongest aluminum wheels you can buy on the market and the kind of wheels you should be buying if your racing.