Can someone please post a list of all the forged wheel manufactures you know of, Also do you know the specifics of why forged, or multi piece rims are better than ordinary single piece cast aluminum, and therefore so much more money???

 

Kinesis
Forgeline
Fikse
BBS (some models)
OZ (some models)
iForged
Compomotive
SSR (semi-solid forging)
Kaizer (racing wheels)
Jongbloed (racing wheels)
IFG (now defunct, but there are still a few sets out there)

Check out the "Wheel Tech" section at Tirerack. It has a lot of useful info on wheels > http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/wheeltech.htm

The "Wheel Construction" section should answer your question.

PeteH

 

Forging is a better manufacturing process which makes wheels lighter and stronger

 

and they cost waaaaaaaay more to make.

If you understand the difference in the building process, you will understand the reason why they cost more, it isn't just marketing hype.

 

Don't forget VOLKs or anything by Rays. Most are forged. Also some wheels by WORK are forged. One-piece forged are obviously the lightest wheels. As you go to multi-piece, the weight goes up with it, but the modularity is higher. Companies are only going to offer one piece wheels in certain sizes with certain offsets, where as multi piece wheels have more parts in common and can offer more varied fitments. Luckily, our 350Z already has lots of one piece wheels to choose from. Personally I have my eyes on some Volk te37 in 18. They are ~16/17 lbs. as opposed to the stock wheels @ 27lbs.

 

Thank for the info, Yet I am still a little unsure, obviously lighter and stronger is better. But in your opinion, is strong rims and the lessening of about 20 pounds really justified in the possible $800 increase? Also one I think you left out is HRE, but these wheels are a fortune!

 

don't forget, it is ROTATIONAL WIEGHT we are talking about, MUCH MUCH more important.

the $$ difference just depends on what your willing to spend (like anything else), I know a guy that has $45k speaker cables for his home, to me that is too much, its your decision.

 

If you are looking for an advantage at the racetrack, then the lighter the wheel, the better.... cost is no object at that point. Also, the flexibility of a forged center, multi-piece wheel is what makes them attractive.

I have had forged and cast wheels and been happy with all of them. I used the IFG (International Forging Group) A5 on my Audi A4 at the track. When I upgraded the front brakes, the A5 would no longer ft. I chose the OZ Crono Evolution. It's a cast wheel, but still very lightweight and strong.

The OZ weighed just a few pounds more than the A5, both in 17x8. Over 8 track events with the A5 I never had any issues with cracking or bending. I used the Oz for 7 track events and never had any problems with them.

Hope that helps.

PeteH

 

dont forget, there are different levels of casting too. For example Volk GT-C's have cast centers with forged lip. Thats why they are cheaper.

If you compare a HRE wheel to say a Konig wheel then you will see a world of difference in terms of craftmenship. Also under a microscope you will see tighter grains with a higher quality wheel and not a lot of pits compared to a cheap wheel.

 

again thank,
I think I have decided on either the BBS RS-GT or the
VOLK SF-Winning everyone has been posting about recently. Does anyone know if this VOLK rim is forged or not? Also, the offset of the BBS wheel sims a bit high, will they fill the fenders and clear Big Brake setups?
RS-GT 920 19×8.5 30 5/114.3 PFS 9.5kg
RS-GT 921 19×9.5 38 5/114.3 PFS 9.9kg
They have a one piece wheel that looks very similar with a much lower offset. What do you think???

 

The BBS RG-R is the one piece with a much lower offset.
Here is a photoshop of the RS-GT.
RG-R 770 19×8.5 18 5/114.3 PFS 9.5kg
RG-R 771 19×9.5 22 5/114.3 PFS 9.6kg