speedie6
Aug 15 2008, 12:22 AM
I've read some of the sticky threads, at least portions of them. I haven't read every part of every sticky. But, basically, I'm aware that the stock wheels on a Speed 6 are 18 x 7.5 offset 55. Generally, if you get wider wheels, you need to decrease the offset, I believe. So, the question is, what would be a good width, offset? I have on my car some crappy chrome peeling and rusting steel wheels -- I didn't know what I was doing when I bought them. But, at least as far as fitment, they seem fine, I've had no rubbing. The vendor said they were 8.5" wide, I don't know the offset. I'd have to measure to be sure, perhaps vendor lied. But I'm sure they are at least 8", they are wider than stock.
So, when I get some better wheels, if the fitment is about the same as what I got, that would be great. I'm running 225 wide tires now. Perhaps might go with 235's next time, not sure.
So, I went looking for possible forged wheels that I might could get. I found some that are actually listed for the RX-8. They are Gram Lights 57F forged 18 x 8.5, 40 offset. Opinions?
I don't mind getting my fenders rolled if I need to, but, so far, I haven't needed to. I have RPM Sport springs, which only slightly lower the car.
shadesofgray19
Aug 15 2008, 04:18 AM
Stock rims are 18x7.
speedie6
Aug 15 2008, 05:39 AM
QUOTE (shadesofgray19 @ Aug 15 2008, 07:18 AM)

Stock rims are 18x7.
Thanks for the correction. Which then has me confused what the heck I do have currently. Given the vendor said stock was 7.5 and said that what he was selling me were 8.5. Was he wrong on both? I guess I gotta measure. But, at any rate, I'm sure that they are wider than stock as the stock 215 tires were notacably small for the wheels.
So, for the wheels I'm looking at now, the 8.5" 40 offset, how's it sound or should I just get 8"?
astlzrMS6
Aug 15 2008, 10:13 AM
Yeah that guy was wrong if you look at the back of the stock rim it says 18x7 with a 55 offset.
8.5 with a 40 offset wont fit unless you do some major work to the fenders. There are a few guys on here running 8.5 with a 45 or greater offset but they had to fully roll their fenders. I've got 18x8 with a 46 offset rims with 235/40/18 tires and they fit just fine. I also rolled my fenders a little but I don't think it was really needed.
speedie6
Aug 15 2008, 10:40 AM
QUOTE (astlzrMS6 @ Aug 15 2008, 01:13 PM)

Yeah that guy was wrong if you look at the back of the stock rim it says 18x7 with a 55 offset.
8.5 with a 40 offset wont fit unless you do some major work to the fenders. There are a few guys on here running 8.5 with a 45 or greater offset but they had to fully roll their fenders. I've got 18x8 with a 46 offset rims with 235/40/18 tires and they fit just fine. I also rolled my fenders a little but I don't think it was really needed.
Thanks. I'll probably go 8.0.
aviator79
Aug 20 2008, 09:52 AM
Roll them and run 245's!
speedie6
Aug 20 2008, 02:46 PM
Well, I had a real hard time making up my mind what to go with. In the end, I wound up with a pretty conservative width wheel. Its only 7.5. But the wheel I decided on wasn't available in an 8 with a usable offset. Here's the ones I got:

Its not a true forged. There are a couple of wheel manufactures that have their own processes that are supposed to give near-forged strength, but lower cost. And I just love its black chrome.
Now, they have another similar wheel which will be available in an 8", 48 offset, but, its not available yet.
DennisW
Aug 20 2008, 05:10 PM
QUOTE (speedie6 @ Aug 20 2008, 05:46 PM)

Well, I had a real hard time making up my mind what to go with. In the end, I wound up with a pretty conservative width wheel. Its only 7.5. But the wheel I decided on wasn't available in an 8 with a usable offset. Here's the ones I got:

Its not a true forged. There are a couple of wheel manufactures that have their own processes that are supposed to give near-forged strength, but lower cost. And I just love its black chrome.
Now, they have another similar wheel which will be available in an 8", 48 offset, but, its not available yet.
It's called pressure casting. Instead of just pouring the molten metal into the mold, it's forced in under high pressure. The injection pressure does away with the problem of porous castings and results in a stronger wheel.
Not that gravity cast wheels are crap. A great majority of the wheels on street driven cars are gravity cast and they hold up just fine. Presure casting is a more expensive process than gravity casting but much less expensive than forging.
Enkei's are very good quality wheels, you'll not have any problems with them.
speedie6
Aug 20 2008, 05:51 PM
QUOTE (DennisW @ Aug 20 2008, 08:10 PM)

Presure casting is a more expensive process than gravity casting but much less expensive than forging.
Enkei's are very good quality wheels, you'll not have any problems with them.
They were SOMEWHAT less than forged, but not a LOT less than forged, depending on exactly what forged wheel it is compared to. But, I didn't find any true forged with that kind of black chrome finish. They are really beautiful wheels.
What I would have found 'ideal" was that style or similar, true forged, 8" wide, 50 offset. Didn't find it. Probably would have cost a lot more if I did. So, these may not be "ideal" but, they do kick ass.
Here is a picture of an upcoming Enkei model, that is going to be available in 8" wide 48 offset, but can't get it yet:
Glocker23
Aug 27 2008, 09:11 PM
I rally like those metallic silver ones on the left. I would def throw those on my car.
cherryspeed
Aug 28 2008, 05:22 AM
QUOTE (speedie6 @ Aug 20 2008, 09:51 PM)

They were SOMEWHAT less than forged, but not a LOT less than forged, depending on exactly what forged wheel it is compared to. But, I didn't find any true forged with that kind of black chrome finish. They are really beautiful wheels.
What I would have found 'ideal" was that style or similar, true forged, 8" wide, 50 offset. Didn't find it. Probably would have cost a lot more if I did. So, these may not be "ideal" but, they do kick ass.
Here is a picture of an upcoming Enkei model, that is going to be available in 8" wide 48 offset, but can't get it yet:

Did you look at the enkie gtc-01
Very nice lightweight wheel that I believe comes in 8" wide
The rfp's you mentioned are great wheels, with near cult status now. However i think the design lends itself more to the smaller cars than a big sedan like the 6...but thats just my opinion
speedie6
Aug 28 2008, 06:28 AM
QUOTE (cherryspeed @ Aug 28 2008, 08:22 AM)

Did you look at the enkie gtc-01
Very nice lightweight wheel that I believe comes in 8" wide
The rfp's you mentioned are great wheels, with near cult status now. However i think the design lends itself more to the smaller cars than a big sedan like the 6...but thats just my opinion
I got the RFP1's. I'll need to post pictures, I think they look great. The GTC01's are good too, but I had my heart set on the SBC color. Though, the hyperblack of the GTC's look good too, but, I wanted the SBC. I didn't notice that there was an 8 with a usable offset for the GTC01's. If I had, maybe I would have gone that way.
Sacramento6
Aug 29 2008, 05:38 AM
The RP-F1 is a fantastic wheel! Looks great, strong and very light for the price. Like everything, there is some compromise, but with those wheels, not much. I am sure that you will be VERY happy with your choice, and you are cutting some real pounds off each corner. Can't wait to see them.
speedie6
Aug 29 2008, 06:31 AM
QUOTE (Sacramento6 @ Aug 29 2008, 08:38 AM)

The RP-F1 is a fantastic wheel! Looks great, strong and very light for the price. Like everything, there is some compromise, but with those wheels, not much. I am sure that you will be VERY happy with your choice, and you are cutting some real pounds off each corner. Can't wait to see them.
Gotta wash the rest of the car, then I'll take pics this weekend. The car just looks awesome. I've only lowered it a small amount, I've got the RPM sport springs. I personally did not want it heavily lowered, the RPMs are just right to me.
speedie6
Aug 31 2008, 07:41 AM
djmarkian
Aug 31 2008, 07:49 AM
Looking good, speedie, now wheres the intake pipe?...just playing I know its the holiday...but overall nice choice of wheels, wish I can afford brand name wheels but the one I got are light and strong for a no name wheel...I get a lot of comments on them...
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt...l%3Den%26sa%3DN
smoker6
Aug 31 2008, 07:58 AM
QUOTE (djmarkian @ Aug 31 2008, 11:49 AM)

Looking good, speedie, now wheres the intake pipe?...just playing I know its the holiday...but overall nice choice of wheels, wish I can afford brand name wheels but the one I got are light and strong for a no name wheel...I get a lot of comments on them...
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt...l%3Den%26sa%3DNI like those wheels.
speedie6
Aug 31 2008, 11:15 AM
QUOTE (djmarkian @ Aug 31 2008, 10:49 AM)

but the one I got are light and strong for a no name wheel...I get a lot of comments on them...
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=htt...l%3Den%26sa%3DNCertainly looks like a good value. Less than half of mine.
Business
Aug 31 2008, 11:55 AM
They're a favorite for their strength and weight. I've strongly considered getting these and they're still up there on my list.
pray4mojo
Aug 31 2008, 12:03 PM
Sacramento6
Sep 1 2008, 06:25 AM
speedie6,
They look awesome, and they are a great wheel. Honestly, dollar for dollar, probably one of the best wheels you can spend your money on. I like it dude!
speedie6
Sep 1 2008, 08:11 AM
QUOTE (Sacramento6 @ Sep 1 2008, 09:25 AM)

speedie6,
They look awesome, and they are a great wheel. Honestly, dollar for dollar, probably one of the best wheels you can spend your money on. I like it dude!
Thanks!
steelwagon6
Sep 1 2008, 08:26 AM
QUOTE (pray4mojo @ Aug 31 2008, 01:03 PM)

Volk FTW!
Sacramento6
Sep 1 2008, 08:12 PM
Volk FT$$$$! But yeah, they are great.
speedie6
Sep 1 2008, 09:02 PM
QUOTE (Sacramento6 @ Sep 1 2008, 11:12 PM)

Volk FT$$$$! But yeah, they are great.
RAYS makes a lot of wheels for a lot of other vendors, though, Volk seems to have the biggest selection. Before I decided on the Enkei, I almost bought some Volk's for $850/ea, but, thought the better of it.
RoadRageMotors
Sep 4 2008, 03:01 AM
this is as close to what i am running on mine, motegi doesnt make the traklite forged any more but they make the traklite 2, its almost as lite

sample pic, our cars are 5 lug
17x8 traklite forged with yokahama parada spec2s
i will take some pics when i put them on for the next track day, the diffrence between this and stock is amazeing
GGG
Sep 16 2008, 12:41 AM
Enkei RPM2 - no Advans but for 1/3rd the price and 18.9lbs each - cant complain.
jd42
Sep 16 2008, 05:39 AM
QUOTE (speedie6 @ Aug 15 2008, 04:22 AM)

Generally, if you get wider wheels, you need to decrease the offset, I believe. So, the question is, what would be a good width, offset?
QUOTE (astlzrMS6 @ Aug 15 2008, 02:13 PM)

8.5 with a 40 offset wont fit unless you do some major work to the fenders. There are a few guys on here running 8.5 with a 45 or greater offset but they had to fully roll their fenders. I've got 18x8 with a 46 offset rims with 235/40/18 tires and they fit just fine. I also rolled my fenders a little but I don't think it was really needed.
With a 8" or 8.5" wide wheel, you probably wouldn't want to go higher than 50mm offset. My summer setup uses 235/40R18 tires on 18x8.5" wheels with 45mm offset, and I needed to roll the fenders quite a bit. I doubt a 40mm offset would work with that tire/rim size without reworking the fenders.
Here's a good online calculator to help visualize the spacing of various wheel/tire combos:
http://www.wheelsmaster.com/rt_specs.jsp
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please
click here.