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Thread: Lightweight 15 inch wheels (15-inch, 4X100, offset fits our cars)

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Posts: 1-10 of 69
2014-12-28 03:36:14
#1
Lightweight 15 inch wheels (15-inch, 4X100, offset fits our cars)
I've been looking at rims lately and have been comparing new and pre-owned forged rims as well as lightweight brand new wheels. I looked for a thread on that subject and came up empty. Figured I'd start one. Feel free to add to my list with pics and specs, or links and I'll go grab the photo and information.

I'm looking at 15" only in this thread, less than 14 pounds, and in an offset that will easily bolt onto our cars. I am following a quip by Mike K and generally looking at 6 1/2" - 7" wide, in a 30-35 mm offset.


For reference our Nissan OEM B14 SE-R rim is 15"X6", 4X100 bolt pattern, has a 40mm offset, 59mm center bore, and weighs in at 17 or so pounds.

Tire Wheel Sizes







Here are some additional pertinent links:

Good-Win-Racing They are very knowledgeable and carry a variety of very lightweight and affordable wheels in our size and offset parameters.

Miata Wheels and Tires - Mazda Performance Parts

Measure Speed for aftermarket wheel weights:

http://http://measurespeed.com/index.php

Wheel Weight Chart (originally from wheelweights dot net) Overwhelming amounts of info on both OEM and aftermarket wheels.

http://http://www.evolutionm.net/forums/evo-tires-wheels-brakes-suspension-sponsored-tire-rack/52485-wheel-weight-chart-most-listed-must-see.html

Miata Dot Net Faq on wheel weights Tons of info including what factory OEM wheels from other manufacturers will fit on a Miata. If it fits a Miata, chances are very high it fits our rides.

http://www.miata.net/faq/wheel_weights.html


Tire Rack explains the different types of wheel construction:

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=90

Originally Posted by Tire


What Is a Wheel and What Is a Rim? Are They the Same Thing?

It may seem obvious, but a wheel is comprised of a hub, spokes and rim. Sometimes these components will be one piece, sometimes two or three. The hub is the center portion of the wheel and is what attaches the wheel to the suspension. The spokes radiate out from the hub and attach to the rim. The rim is the outer part of the wheel that holds the tire. While many people refer to wheels as "rims," this is technically incorrect. We'll discuss several ways that wheels are manufactured below.

One-Piece Cast Wheels

This is the most common type of aluminum wheel. The casting of wheels is the process of getting molten aluminum inside a mold to form a wheel. There are different ways this can be accomplished and although it sounds simple, this is truly an art when done properly.

Gravity Casting

Gravity casting is the most basic process of pouring molten aluminum into a mold utilizing the earth's gravity to fill the mold. Gravity casting offers a very reasonable production cost and is a good method for casting designs that are more visually oriented or when reducing weight is not a primary concern. Since the process relies on gravity to fill the mold, the aluminum is not as densely packed in the mold as some other casting processes. Often gravity cast wheels will have a higher weight to achieve the required strength.

Low Pressure Casting

Low pressure casting uses positive pressure to move the molten aluminum into the mold quicker and achieve a finished product that has improved mechanical properties (more density) over a gravity cast wheel. There is a slightly higher production cost over gravity casting, but low pressure casting is the most common process approved for aluminum wheels sold to the O.E.M. market. Some companies offer wheels that are produced under a higher pressure in special casting equipment to create a wheel that is lighter and stronger than a wheel produced in low pressure, but there's a higher cost associated with the process. Low pressure cast wheels offer a good value for the aftermarket while still maintaining strength and a lighter weight.

Spun-Rim, Flow-Forming or Rim Rolling Technology

This specialized process begins with a low pressure type of casting and uses a special machine that spins the initial casting, heats the outer portion of the casting and then uses steel rollers pressed against the rim area to pull the rim to its final width and shape. The combination of the heat, pressure and spinning create a rim area with the strength similar to a forged wheel without the high cost of the forging. Some of the special wheels produced for the O.E.M. high performance or limited production vehicles utilize this type of technology resulting in a light and strong wheel at a reasonable cost. O.Z. has used this technology for several years in their production of racing wheels for Formula One and Indy cars. O.Z.'s Formula HLT wheel for the aftermarket is an example of a wheel produced using spun rim technology.

Forged

The ultimate in one-piece wheels. Forging is the process of forcing a solid billet of aluminum between the forging dies under an extreme amount of pressure. This creates a finished product that is very dense, very strong and therefore can be very light. The costs of tooling, development, equipment, etc., make this type of wheel very exclusive and usually demand a high price in the aftermarket.

Multi-Piece Wheels

This type of wheel utilizes two or three components assembled together to produce a finished wheel. Multi-piece wheels can use many different methods of manufacturing. Centers can be cast in various methods or forged. The rim sections for 3-piece wheels are normally spun from disks of aluminum. Generally, spun rim sections offer the ability to custom-tailor wheels for special applications that would not be available otherwise. The rim sections are bolted to the center and normally a sealant is applied in or on the assembly area to seal the wheel. This type of 3-piece construction was originally developed for racing in the early 1970s and has been used on cars ever since. The 3-piece wheels are most popular in the 17" and larger diameters.

There are now many options for 2-piece wheels in the market. The 2-piece wheel design does not offer as wide a range of application that a 3-piece wheel allows, however they are more common in the market and the prices start well below the average 3-piece wheel. Some 2-piece wheels have the center bolted into a cast or cast/spun rim section and other manufacturers press centers into spun rim sections and weld the unit together. When BBS developed a new 2-piece wheel to replace the previous 3-piece street wheel, they used the special rim-rolling technology (originally developed for racing wheels) to give the rim section the weight and strength advantages similar to a forged rim. On the high-end of the 2-piece wheel market you can find wheels using forged rims and forged centers. Since these are only sold in small volume and due to the high development and production costs associated with the forging process, they tend to be on the high end of the price scale.


Pro Tip: At Tire Rack, type in that you own a 1990 Mazda Miata. Then look at the 15" lightweight wheel selection.
Last edited by Shawn B on 2015-04-04 at 16-34-07.
2014-12-28 03:37:34
#2
Forged Madness. Expensive, strong, lightweight.



5Zigen Beckets FN-01R Note: There is a FN-01RC version of this wheel that is cast and looks identical. Don't buy the "C" version thinking it's forged.



15x7, 10.6 pounds, offset +42mm

Discontinued.


BBS RG-F



15X7, 10.2 pounds, offset +42mm

$425 a piece on-line.


Buddy Club P1 Racing QF Note: there is a Buddy Club P1 Racing SF which is a cast wheel that looks identical.



15X7, 10.1 pounds, offset +35mm

Discontinued.


Desmond Regamaster Evo





15X7, 9.3 pounds, offset +35

Discontinued and $1,500+ per set pre-owned on Ebay.



Motegi Racing Traklite



15X6.5, 10.2 pounds, offset

15X7, 10.8 pounds, offset +35

Discontinued.


Motegi Racing Traklite II



15X7, 10.3 pounds, offset +35

Discontinued.


Racing Hart CP-035R



15X6, 7.9 pounds, offset ??

15X6.5, 8.6 pounds, offset +45

15X7, 9.4 pounds, offset ??

15X7.5, 9.7 pounds, offset ??

Discontinued.


SSR RF Pro Firenze Semi-solid forged.





15X7, 10 pounds, offset +43

Discontinued. $1,000.00 or so a set on Ebay.


SSR Type C or Competition





15X6.5, 8.6 pounds, offset +30 and +35mm (discontinued)

15X7, 9.2 pounds, offset +35mm (still available)

Current price new $395'ish per rim. $1,000 or so for a used set in good condition.


SSR Type F Semi Solid Forged



15X6.5, 9.4 pounds, offset +32mm, +42mm

15X7, 10 pounds, offset +35mm

Retail is about $400.00 each.



SSR Type-M



15X6.5, 11 pounds, offset +35mm

Discontinued.


SSR Type-X



15X6.5, 10.5 pounds, offset +42

Discontinued.


Volk CE28N



15X6.5, 8.1 pounds, offset +35mm

15X7, 9.1 pounds, offset +35mm

Current price new $550'ish per rim. $1,000 - $1,250 or so for a used set in good condition.



Volk TE37



15X6.5, 8.8 pounds, offset +35mm

15X7, 9.2 pounds, offset +35mm

Current price new $550'ish per rim. $1,250 or so for a used set in good condition.


Weds TC-005



15X6.5, 10.2 pounds, offset +30mm

15X7, 10.7 pounds, offset +36mm

Discontinued? Not sure.


Weds TC-105N



15X6.5, 10.6 pounds, offset +38mm

15X7, 11.2 pounds, offset +35mm
Last edited by Shawn B on 2015-02-05 at 03-05-32.
2014-12-28 03:39:20
#3
space....space...space.....
Last edited by Shawn B on 2014-12-30 at 18-23-19.
2014-12-28 03:40:51
#4
Flow Formed Wheels

These excite me.

http://www.savethewheels.org/flow-forming.html

Originally Posted by Save
This specialized, hybrid process utilizes a machine that spins an initial Pressure Cast blank, heats the outer portion, and then uses steel rollers to press against the rim area. Much like clay on a potters wheel, the rollers "pull" the casting to its final width and shape -- that of a rim. This special combination of heat, pressure, and spinning create a rim with similar strength and performance to that of a forged wheel, but at a more reasonable cost! It's our understanding that BBS pioneered this process and has used it for several years in their production of racing wheels for Formula One and Indy cars. OZ Racing employs a similar process (if not arguably identical) which they've termed High Light Technology (HLT). OZ's experience with Flow Forming is also derived from their extensive experience with Formula One and Indy. Similarly, Enkei has a rim forming process they refer to as the Most Advanced Technology (MAT), Rays has a process they call Rays Cast-Flow Forming (RCF), and even ultra high-end manufacturer HRE now offers a full product line of Flow Formed wheels.



http://www.enkei.com/gtc01.shtml

Originally Posted by Enkei
DURA-FLOW MAT

Enkei’s MAT (Most Advanced Technology) process improves the molecular structure of aluminum and reduces wheel weight without sacrificing strength. Through improving the material’s strength and changing the rim profile, MAT evolved into DURA-FLOW MAT. This process optimizes the rim’s strength and rigidity, while also producing a new rim shape that accommodates large high-performance brakes.


http://konigusa.net/nodisplay/mat-technology-wheel-process/

Originally Posted by Konig
M.A.T. Technology Wheel Process

Aluminum, the material used in the production of KÖNIG’s M.A.T. wheels possesses, licensed by Enkei is a very simple structure. However, within this structure lie unlimited possibilities. With incremental changes in areas such as material properties improvements, form research, design refinement, and manufacturing methods, the capabilities of the aluminum will be stretched further.

M.A.T. Original and Latest Process

A new manufacturing process has been developed to produce König’s next generation of light weight alloy wheels. The Most Advanced Technology (M.A.T.) combines a one-piece wheel casting technology with a rim forming technology called the spinning process. This new technology of casting and rim forming by the M.A.T. process is critical in improving drastically the material property and strength of the wheels.

Achieving Metal Flow in the rim part using M.A.T. Process

The M.A.T. Process has a drastic impact on the micro structure of aluminum and result in outstanding improvement of the mechanical property of the material. The process of spinning the rim allows the Metal Flow in the rim part, which resembles the properties obtained from forging process. The control of the metal flow in the rim section results in finer and more even aluminum structure.

Well balanced thinning rim thickness, weight reduction and anti-flex structure in high dimension by the M.A.T. process.

Following the demand for high performance trend every year, tires and wheels are getting larger year after year. In order to reduce weight under a vehicle’s suspension, it is important to reduce the weight of wheels. The M.A.T. process improves the mechanical property of the rim section by shaving the rim’s thickness and therefore reducing wheel weight. The latest manufacturing technology and wheel engineering is a direct feedback.

New Generation of Light-weight Wheels

The process to produce forged wheels and the material used to produce it have very high costs. Many end-users understand the benefits of owning forged wheels but they cannot afford it. König’s new generation of light-weight wheels, made with the M.A.T. process, achieves light weight, strong and anti-flex properties, while keeping the costs affordable to the end-user. The high performance properties and reasonable costs are definitely catching attention of enthusiasts and industry experts! Similar performance as forged wheels while keeping freedom of design using the M.A.T. manufacturing technology has added an exciting new dimension to performance wheels!

The weakest point of forged wheels is the fact that it limits the freedom of design. With years of experience developing light weight casted wheels, Konig has combined the high-tech casting with the new M.A.T. Process to develop an excellent product. König will develop new products with better performance, while removing the limitation of design found in forged wheels."









Advan RG II Flow Formed Technology



15X6.5, 11 pounds, offset +35mm

15X7, 11.7 pounds, offset +35mm

$500.00 per wheel on various vendor websites.



Advanti Racing Storm S1 Dynamic Spin Technology (DST) flow formed





From Good-Win-Racing http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Performance-Part/61-1399.html

"Advanti Racing's new Flow Formed line of wheels are STRONGER and LIGHTER than most choices! Flow forming to yield a strong 500kg load rating and a 15x7 that weighs just 10 pounds! No competitor comes even close to these specs at this price!

The flow formed process results in a product that is stronger/lighter than lesser casting methods. Most everything else in this price range is gravity cast, pressure cast, or low pressure cast with heat treatment."


15X7, 10 pounds, offset +35 mm

$130'ish per rim at Good-Win-Racing.


Enkei ES-Tarmac Flow Formed (MAT)



15X6.5, 10.7 pounds, offset +40mm

15X7, 11 pounds, offset +35mm

15X7.5, 11.6 pounds, offset +40mm

Discontinued.


Enkei PF01 Flow Formed (MAT)



15X7, 12.35pounds, offset +35mm

Price about $210.00 per wheel at Good-Win-Racing.



Enkei RPF1 Flow Formed (MAT)



15X7, 9.8 pounds, offset +35mm

Priced about $200'ish per rim depending on color at Tire Rack or Good-Win-Racing.


Konig Dial In Flow Formed (MAT)







15X7, 10.9 pounds, offset +35mm

Current price about $112 per rim at Good-Win-Racing.


Kosei K4R Low pressure cast with a flow formed rim.



15X7, 11.5 pounds, offset +30
15X7, 10.7 pounds, offset +40

Current price about $144.00 each at Tire Rack.



Kosei K5R Low pressure cast with a flow formed rim.





15X7, 11.57 pounds, offset +40mm
15X8, 12.37 pounds, offset ???

They sell for about $129.00 each at Tire Rack.



Kosei K6R Low pressure cast and shot-peened with a flow formed rim.



15X7, 12.25 pounds, offset +40mm

Closeout pricing at Tire Rack is $119.00 per wheel.



Kosei K8R Low pressure cast with a flow formed rim.



15X7, 11.42 pounds, offset +40mm
15X8, 12.1 pounds, offset ???

Current price is $129.00 each at Tire Rack.


949 Racing 6UL Flow Formed, T6 heat treated



15X7, 11.9 pounds, offset +35 (out of production)

15X8, 11.6 pounds, offset +35mm

8" width will fit with conventional springs and struts using at least a 5mm spacer in the rear.

$159.00 at 949 Racing http://949racing.com/15x8-6UL.aspx


OZ Superleggera HLT flow formed



15X7, 11.5 pounds, offset

No longer available.


PIAA FR-7 Cast/spun. Flow formed.



15X6.5, 12.9 pounds, offset +38

Discontinued.


Rays Sebring Gem Experia Rays Cast Flow Forming (RCF)



15X6, XXX pounds, offset +38

$350.00 per wheel on-line.


SSR GTV02 Flow Formed





15X7, 14.8 pounds, offset +35mm

$240.00 on-line.



Traklite Burn Flow Formed



15X7, 10.9 pounds, offset +35mm

$139.00 brand new at Good-Win-Racing.


Traklite Gear Flow Formed







15X7, 10.9 pounds, offset +35mm

$139.00 brand new at Good-Win-Racing.


Weds Sport SA-15R Advanced Metal Forming (ie. flow forming)



15X6, 12.2 pounds, offset +38

About $225.00 or so on-line.
Last edited by Shawn B on 2015-04-04 at 16-01-26.
2014-12-28 03:42:27
#5
Cast Wheels with or without additional hardening methods.

http://www.carid.com/images/konig/info/konig-manufacturing.html

Originally Posted by Konig
Lightweight alloy wheels are made from aluminum, which is light weight and great at dissipating heat, that has been "doped" with small amounts of more rigid metals. This mix is called an alloy. By varying the amounts of the alloying metals in the 'mix', the properties of the wheel material can be set to the desired standards. A wheel made out of pure aluminum would be too soft and too prone to crack to be usable. The aluminum alloy on the other hand is very rigid and resistant to cracking.

Alloy metals provide superior strength and dramatic weight reductions over ferrous metals such as steel, which makes them ideal materials for high performance wheels. Minimizing the unsprung weight of a wheel is crucial to the road holding properties of a vehicle. They are less prone to bounce and give a the shock absorbers an easier job than heavy steel wheels do. This is why steel wheels are no longer seen on racing, sports or performance cars.

Casting is the most efficient way to produce high-quality, strong alloy wheels. Two different methods are employed in casting alloy wheels: gravity casting and low pressure or negative pressure casting.

Gravity Casting

In gravity casting the molten material is simply poured into a mold and allowed to cool. The molds are CNC machined to very exacting measurements and produce wheels that only requires minor finishing, minor trimming of excess metal and drilling of bolt patterns and center bores, to be considered complete.

Negative Pressure Casting

In low pressure casting, also called negative pressure casting, the molten alloy is drawn up into the mold using a high-pressure vacuum. This process makes for a slightly different, more compact structure of the metal. Thus wheels cast in this process can be made with thinner profiles without any sacrifice in strength. The molds for this process are also made to very precise measurements and thus the wheels coming out of the process are of the same finish as the gravity cast wheels.

The choice of process is determined by the design and intended use of the wheel to give customers the best possible value for money. For some high performance wheels König has chosen a more advanced, and also slightly more expensive process for strengthening the rims, the M.A.T. Technology Wheel Process.



5Zigen 5ZR Copse





15X7, 11 pounds, offset +35

Discontinued.


Buddy Club P1 Racing SF Note there is a QF version of this wheel that is both forged and discontinued.



15X6.5, 13.7 pounds, offset +35mm

$600.00 or so for a set of four (4) on-line.


Drag DR9



15X7, 12.3 pounds, offset +38mm

$100.00 per wheel on-line.


Drag DR21



15X7, 12.9 pounds, offset +40mm

$100.00 per wheel on-line.


Konig Daylight





15X6.5, 12 pounds, offset +40mm

$98.00 each a Good-Win-Racing.


Konig ECO1



15X6.5, 10.8 pounds, offset +38mm

$89.00 at Good-Win-Racing.


Konig Feather



15X6.5, 12.4 pounds, offset +38mm

$89.00 at Good-Win-Racing


Konig Helium





15X6.5, 11.4 pounds, offset +40mm

$98.00 at Good-Win-Racing.


Konig ReTrack



15X7, 13.4 pounds, offset +40mm

$104.00 at Good-Win-Racing


Konig Spooled



15X7, 12 pounds, offset +36mm

$89.00 at Good-Win-Racing.


Kosei K1 Racing Low pressure cast and shot-peened.



15X7, 13.5 pounds, offset +38mm

$124.00 each at Tire Rack.


Kosei K1-TS Low pressure cast and shot-peened.



15X7, 11.4 pounds, offset +38mm

$134.00 each at Tire Rack.


Kosei K2R Low pressure cast and shot-peened.



15X7, 13.5 pounds, offset +38mm

$125 each at Tire Rack


Motegi Racing LC5



15X7, 12.5 pounds, offset +35


OZ Ultraleggera - Low pressure cast and shot-peened.



15X7, 12.15 pounds, offset +37mm

$200.00 per rim at Tire Rack.


Rota Attack Gravity cast and heat treated.



15X6.5, 13 pounds, offset +35mm

$110.00 on-line.


Rota Circuit 8 Gravity cast and heat treated.



15X6.5, 12 pounds, offset +38mm

$120'ish on-line.


Rota Circuit 10 Gravity cast and heat treated.



15X6.5, 13 pounds, offset +35, 38, 40

$110.00 on-line.


Rota Slipstream Gravity cast and heat treated.



15X6.5, 11.9-12.6 pounds (?), offset +40mm

15X7, 12.9 pounds, offset +40mm

$110-120 depending on color on-line.


Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 A Miata spec racing wheel.





15X7, 13.1 pounds, offset +30mm, +35mm (? double check offsets available)

$109.00 at Good-Win-Racing.



TR Motorsports C1M One piece gravity cast.



15X7, 13.6 pounds, offset +30mm
15X7, 12.9 pounds, offset +40mm

Available at Tire Rack for $99.00 each.



TR Motorsports FF10 One piece gravity cast.



15X7, 12.2 pounds, offset +30mm

Priced at $129.00 each at Tire Rack.
Last edited by Shawn B on 2015-04-04 at 16-44-48.
2014-12-28 03:43:41
#6
Blank for expansion.
Last edited by Shawn B on 2014-12-30 at 18-28-16.
2014-12-28 03:45:43
#7
One more, why not.
2014-12-28 03:45:57
#8
ATS complites(like my track set) are 12.5lbs, 15x7 +35mm

My street wheels...Konig Feathers 12lb 15x6.5 +40mm

I will have to add some pics and info if needed.
Last edited by eggman on 2014-12-28 at 04-03-08.
2014-12-28 03:50:08
#9
konig heliums that i got on my car were around 90 a peice when i bought them and like 11 pounds each.... im gonna google and edit with better numbers

hah looks like eggman beat me to it
2014-12-28 04:06:47
#10
Originally Posted by DxPxE
konig heliums that i got on my car were around 90 a peice when i bought them and like 11 pounds each.... im gonna google and edit with better numbers

hah looks like eggman beat me to it


Mine are feathers,very similar at like 100 each....the heliums are even lighter
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