Like to know more detail about 370z nismo rims
New Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,337
Likes: 204
From: Edina, Minnesota
Good write-up Mic…
Both Enkei Tuning wheels and Enkei Racing wheels incorporate MAT Technology. Enkei claims that MAT Technology results in a much stronger cast wheel.
The differences I notice between Enkei Tuning wheels and Enkei Racing wheels:
Both Enkei Tuning wheels and Enkei Racing wheels incorporate MAT Technology. Enkei claims that MAT Technology results in a much stronger cast wheel.
The differences I notice between Enkei Tuning wheels and Enkei Racing wheels:
- The Tuning wheels are heavier and cost less.
- The maximum width for Racing wheels is 10.5”. The maximum width for Tuning wheels is 9.5”.
Registered User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,892
Likes: 277
From: arizona
Thanks for the compliment but this was just something I remembered from my chem classes AND something I had double checked years ago with my best friend who is/was a practicing chemist who holds a PhD in same. This was about the time when the old wives tale about compromising structural integrity of wheels from powder coating first came about. He confirmed it saying that you could leave a good alloy wheel in an oven at 400 for a week and it wouldn't change the structural properties of same. Didn't advise doing so of course but.... 
Again, the powder coating itself would be destroyed before anything happened to the wheel itself.
As far as cast wheels such as Enkei, well, Enkei rises to the top of the cast class using a technology they call MAT and MAP (Most Advanced Technology and Most Advanced Production, respectively). MAT is the key component of MAP.
It's a hybrid of high pressure casting (the highest form of casting wheels) and Spun Rim Flow casting wherein the wheel mold is spun and heated during the casting process, creating a very high density form (wheel).
This process isn't quite forging as true forging uses extreme high pressure to force billet into the mold BUT, it's very close from a strength:weight ratio standpoint. (That is, light weight with very high strength.) IIRC, OZ also uses a similar technology for their wheels but not many others do due to the relative high cost to manufacture in this manner.
Enkei wheels are manufactured to a self imposed "standard" called "Spec-E" that is actually higher than JWL, NHTSA 110, and most other world standards.
Most of the wheels coming out of the wheel "manufacturers" in China with price points sub-$1000 do NOT use this type of technology and should be avoided IF you are planning high stress activities, e.g., racing, rally, etc. "Probably" fine for street use, look pretty good, and they meet a market price point but.... caveat emptor. Yes, they typically meet standards but honestly, those standards are pretty old and not that difficult to meet.
Not trying to start a flame war here, just stating economic versus engineering fact.
Bottom line: I would NOT hesitate using Enkei wheels for performance use (at least those manufactured using the MAT process.... not positive which Enkei wheel line that starts at.... pretty sure it's the "Tuning" level (and up through "Performance" and "Racing" lines.) Check first. All of my wheels are forged but that's just because I'm a nit about such things. I always try to build out to the least amount of potential points of failure.
Mic
Again, the powder coating itself would be destroyed before anything happened to the wheel itself.
As far as cast wheels such as Enkei, well, Enkei rises to the top of the cast class using a technology they call MAT and MAP (Most Advanced Technology and Most Advanced Production, respectively). MAT is the key component of MAP.
It's a hybrid of high pressure casting (the highest form of casting wheels) and Spun Rim Flow casting wherein the wheel mold is spun and heated during the casting process, creating a very high density form (wheel).
This process isn't quite forging as true forging uses extreme high pressure to force billet into the mold BUT, it's very close from a strength:weight ratio standpoint. (That is, light weight with very high strength.) IIRC, OZ also uses a similar technology for their wheels but not many others do due to the relative high cost to manufacture in this manner.
Enkei wheels are manufactured to a self imposed "standard" called "Spec-E" that is actually higher than JWL, NHTSA 110, and most other world standards.
Most of the wheels coming out of the wheel "manufacturers" in China with price points sub-$1000 do NOT use this type of technology and should be avoided IF you are planning high stress activities, e.g., racing, rally, etc. "Probably" fine for street use, look pretty good, and they meet a market price point but.... caveat emptor. Yes, they typically meet standards but honestly, those standards are pretty old and not that difficult to meet.
Not trying to start a flame war here, just stating economic versus engineering fact.
Bottom line: I would NOT hesitate using Enkei wheels for performance use (at least those manufactured using the MAT process.... not positive which Enkei wheel line that starts at.... pretty sure it's the "Tuning" level (and up through "Performance" and "Racing" lines.) Check first. All of my wheels are forged but that's just because I'm a nit about such things. I always try to build out to the least amount of potential points of failure.
Mic
Take the lug nuts I mentioned above and open up the ends to make them an open nut. That is what the 370z guys do who run stock wheels over ARP or any other extended stud.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 8,621
Likes: 1,392
From: Aurora, Colorado
350Z/370Z Tech Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,315
Likes: 3,378
From: Northern California
(Or just buy a set of good aftermarket, open-ended lugnuts specific to 370Z for those specific wheels.)On refurbished wheels, well, probably a good thing to know from the seller's is "What do you mean by refurbished?" If it's just a cosmetic fix and re-coat, not generally a problem. However, if they used body filler, e.g., "Bondo", the wheels may not take powder coating well. But for light cosmetic repair and re-paint, it works just fine.
Yes, I've done it many times, particularly on the R alloys on my Volvo. Diff is that I wasn't powdering the wheels and not worried about the electrostatic application process and E-Z Bake oven time.
Mic
Last edited by MicVelo; Nov 18, 2015 at 07:15 AM.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 250
Likes: 13
From: Cincinnati, OH
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post