It won't, Waizzz can keep it clean and remove all the negative posts. He's usually pretty passionate about this topic too.

 

So I was curious about Rota Wheels. They take the blunt of the Fake/Replica "hate." And this is directly from their site; http://www.rotawheels.ca/

So while they meet JWL/VIA and ISO certs they do bluntly admit that they produce replicas. And this goes right to the point of how a replica ruins the market for the real wheel. I think a member of another site summed it up well;

Again, I just trying to inform everyone. I, personally, don't like fake/replica wheels/parts. And I'll admit is from buying them in the pass. However I've never owned a replica wheel.

 

I have no issue with a company making a cheap wheel. If they want to produce $hit just so its affordable I couldn't care less. It's the fact that they produce blatant rip offs of other company's impressive designs that I'm sure a lot of thought, time, and effort went into. If you want to sell garbage at least sell original garbage.

 

In before the sensitive Varrs owners come in and unite!

 

yes, yes i agree. sell your own made garbage. not copy someone else's hard working design and make it garbage and ruining their sales.

 

Let's keep it mature please. Why I agree with you, I want this to be informative.

 

There's a market for it. It's business. This car is out of production and is now at the reach of youngsters who have little income. There are more replica/bargain wheel sales than authentic/top-shelf models so I don't blame certain companies for trying to take a slice of the pie.

And the knock off companies go through basic standards but are made just like the OEM casted, non-Rays wheels for the Z. I wouldn't necessarily call them garbage. For the majority of Z owners who never see track days or experience light, seldom track days, replica wheels will do fine. If the fitment is better than OEM while weighing the same - or less - I don't see why they would be garbage.

As far as copying exact wheels, that is pretty crappy. But again, it's business. People like those designs so replica companies will change a minor detail and start production. It's not something to be sad about. It happens everywhere. It just teaches you to appreciate the values of going the top-shelf route.

This is merely commentary. There's honestly no bias as I observe and understand the objectivity of the debate.

 

Someone change the thread title to make it look like a Volk for sale thread so they stay out.

 

Yes and STFU.

 

I've re-titled the thread so that we can include what to look for in a quality wheel and not just another Replica vs Authentic debate.

What we should also include is

-Manufacturing process (cast, forged, pressure-cast, etc.)

-One-piece vs Multiple-piece wheels

-Materials

-Weight

 

I can't seem to find this combo any cheaper than $1,400.

 

+ fact

Why copy...

 

subed so i can watch vids later

 

Breakdown on the technologies used in my favorite wheels...SSR!

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ruthless18x/7049292977/" title="logo by Ruthless18x, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5455/7049292977_f03c223fda.jpg" width="321" height="102" alt="logo"></a>



In 1991, SSR learned of the advanced technology known as Semi-Solid Forging (SSF). This technology was being used by the aircraft industry to manufacture parts that required low weight and reliability. SSR then acquired a license to use SSF technology from Alumax Laboratories. They conducted research and development for one year and created their patented wheel manufacturing plant in Nara, Japan. By combining the best features of casting and forging, SSR implemented them in the manufacturing process of SSF. Further research led scientists to develop a process whereby mixing alloys during the solidification process changed the original microstructure of the alloy from a branch-like structure to a globule granular structure. Alumax then perfected the aluminum stirring process, Magneto-Hydro Dynamics (MHD), and created the basis of SSF technology which results in a pure cylindrical alloy billet free of non-metals, gasses, oxides and other impurities. This MHD billet, when heated to a specific temperature, holds a semi-solid form. The billet is then pressed into a mold at a high rate keeping the preferred globule granular microstructure as the new shape is formed. The end product is very dense and strong. SSR is the only wheel manufacturer in the world to produce SSF aluminum wheels. SSR continues to research ways to further develop SSF, creating reliable, durable, and lightweight wheels.



Heat Treatment Manufacture - After the wheels go through a spinning process during manufacturing they are heat treated for a second time. This application of heat increases the strength of the wheel. As a result the wheels are lighter and stronger making them ideal for hard tuned race cars and heavier vehicles.



SSR one piece wheels are seamless, precise, light-weight, and strong. SSR manufactures all one piece wheels with SSF technology. SSR starts with an MHD (Magneto-Hydro Dynamics) billet piece of aluminum which is heated to a semi-solid semi-molten state. The material is then pressed in through the SSF machine at an extremely high rate creating the wheel. It is then cooled down and cleaned via air gun. The wheels are thoroughly inspected for imperfections and are sent to the painting process.



SSR 2 piece wheels feature a barrel as one piece and a face as the second piece. The advantage of the 2 piece is SSR's ability to have a variety of offsets that can be calculated in millimeter units. The barrel starts out as a flat piece of circular aluminum which is then sent through a press machine shaping it into a barrel. At this point the material is very dense allowing the barrel to be lightweight and strong. The barrel is then separated into sections to become multiple wheels and is sent to the polishing process. Each separated barrel is then precisely inserted with the completed face of the rim and is welded inside barrel based on the choice of offset.



SSF manufactured faces are welded to an HTM inner barrel using SSR's innovative technology. By combining both SSF and HTM SSR wheels are light-weight and incredibly strong. The Hybrid 2 Piece wheels feature an SSF face welded to an HTM inner barrel to become one piece. This technology is exclusive only to SSR.



SSR incorporates the latest technologies in the design and manufacturing of its lightweight 3 piece wheels. The three piece wheel is made up of an outer rim, inner rim, and center disc which allows SSR to offer wide range of offsets and ensures proper fitment specific to your vehicle. The inner rim of the wheel is heat treated for strength, using the HTM (Heat Treatment Manufacture) process which allows for the use of a thinner material to save weight. With weight and high strength in mind, each section of the wheel is engineered using separate grades and thickness of aluminum according to its purpose. SSR's racing heritage and manufacturing innovations have allowed the creation of a 3 piece wheel that is both super lightweight and high in strength.

 

Good info Shane!

 

Thanks!

 

Awesome information!

I agree on the sticky and lock to keep people like xxx out

 

Your name is Shane too?