Forged wheel choices for Speed 6

[speedie6]

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]

Stock rims are 18x7.

[speedie6]

QUOTE (shadesofgray19 @ Aug 15 2008, 07:18 AM)

Stock rims are 18x7.[/b]

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]

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]

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.[/b]

Thanks. I'll probably go 8.0.

[aviator79]

Roll them and run 245's!

[speedie6]

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]

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.[/b]

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]

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.[/b]

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]

I rally like those metallic silver ones on the left. I would def throw those on my car.