Replica Wheels - Do They Deserve The Bad Reputation? I Aim To Find Out.
#101
350Z/370Z Tech Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
Thread Starter
Wellllllll, "Mic's Grand Experiment" (with no science to speak of other than what my butt tells me) is done. Wheels & tahrs are up for sale here: https://my350z.com/forum/wheels-tire...n-in-free.html
The long and short of it....
The Vordoven Forme 6 wheels did an admirable job without any complications other than my dumma$$ curbing the crap out of them due to their concave design with faces protruding beyond the usual outboard rim acting like a spoke protector (convex actually, depending on how you're looking at the wheel ).
Exec Overview of "Findings" (ha!):
Weight: For a cast wheel, these were relatively light at average weight of 22# per wheel. To put this in perspective, the fronts at 21.5# are about on par with the front wheels of each of the following: LMZ5 S-Tune (19"), Volk SF Winning (19"), and the much vaunted Nismo V3s (18" fronts).
The rears were a different story though. The rears, at 22.2# were on par with the LMZ5s but MUCH lighter than either of the others by some 7# per corner. Those Volk SFWs and Nismo V3 are comparative boat anchors at 28 an 29lbs, respectively. And this is weight one can feel and requiring adjustments of my rear shocks to compensate and bring them in line with the lightweight LMZ5s and these reps.
Performance: Highly subjective and largely based on the amazing Yoko tires I mounted up but will say that there were no complications and after break-in, have absolutely nothing but good things to say about the overall performance in the hills.
I'd probably stop at making a recommendation for HPDE, AX, or other competition use though, just because of the unknown fear of breaking or deforming under severe lateral loading and weight.
Aesthetics: Well, again, subjective, but for a copy of a well known "real" wheel (Gram Lights 57DR and other similar wheels like SSR Type-C's), they were really nicely done. When I unboxed them, I was pretty stoked about the quality of the graphite finish. Now, however, with the rashing and chipping from casual handling, well, not a perfect finish but I suspect my "real wheels" would sustain similar damage were I to be foolish enough to curb or drop 'em.
Overall assessment: Had fun running these. Wouldn't hesitate to put a set of these on another car for modest use like street/commute or even show if I were into that scene.
Cheers,
Mic
The long and short of it....
The Vordoven Forme 6 wheels did an admirable job without any complications other than my dumma$$ curbing the crap out of them due to their concave design with faces protruding beyond the usual outboard rim acting like a spoke protector (convex actually, depending on how you're looking at the wheel ).
Exec Overview of "Findings" (ha!):
Weight: For a cast wheel, these were relatively light at average weight of 22# per wheel. To put this in perspective, the fronts at 21.5# are about on par with the front wheels of each of the following: LMZ5 S-Tune (19"), Volk SF Winning (19"), and the much vaunted Nismo V3s (18" fronts).
The rears were a different story though. The rears, at 22.2# were on par with the LMZ5s but MUCH lighter than either of the others by some 7# per corner. Those Volk SFWs and Nismo V3 are comparative boat anchors at 28 an 29lbs, respectively. And this is weight one can feel and requiring adjustments of my rear shocks to compensate and bring them in line with the lightweight LMZ5s and these reps.
Performance: Highly subjective and largely based on the amazing Yoko tires I mounted up but will say that there were no complications and after break-in, have absolutely nothing but good things to say about the overall performance in the hills.
I'd probably stop at making a recommendation for HPDE, AX, or other competition use though, just because of the unknown fear of breaking or deforming under severe lateral loading and weight.
Aesthetics: Well, again, subjective, but for a copy of a well known "real" wheel (Gram Lights 57DR and other similar wheels like SSR Type-C's), they were really nicely done. When I unboxed them, I was pretty stoked about the quality of the graphite finish. Now, however, with the rashing and chipping from casual handling, well, not a perfect finish but I suspect my "real wheels" would sustain similar damage were I to be foolish enough to curb or drop 'em.
Overall assessment: Had fun running these. Wouldn't hesitate to put a set of these on another car for modest use like street/commute or even show if I were into that scene.
Cheers,
Mic
#102
New Member
These are better but still meh
#103
350Z/370Z Tech Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
Thread Starter
#104
New Member
Oh no. Now those are pretty
#106
350Z/370Z Tech Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
Thread Starter
Not OEM.... those are Z34 S-Tune wheels, sold at the parts counter as accessory wheels for Z34. That's why you rarely see them anywhere. Not real popular, at least not enough for 370Z people to plunk down the $2400 (originally) they cost for wheels no bigger than existing Rays Sport edition wheels (9/10) and 1/2" less wide than Nismo OE wheels.
But they're much lighter (a couple of pounds per corner over the OE wheels). These are my FAVORITE wheels on the car, more than the old Volks I had, more than the Volk SF Winnings I still have but rarely use due to their boat anchor like weight, and FAR more than any of the other near-dozen or so sets I've had on any of my Zs.
But they're much lighter (a couple of pounds per corner over the OE wheels). These are my FAVORITE wheels on the car, more than the old Volks I had, more than the Volk SF Winnings I still have but rarely use due to their boat anchor like weight, and FAR more than any of the other near-dozen or so sets I've had on any of my Zs.
#108
350Z/370Z Tech Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
Thread Starter
#109
Registered User
I'm not gonna lie, after reading most of your reviews/thoughts on things for the Z33, You had me sold on a set of OE Nismo wheels. I just happened to luck out and get the entire suspension setup with it. I was on Track v1's, which were awesome, but you can't really go wrong with the 18x9/19x10 combo... Although a bit heavier. I do lots of street/"drive from Orlando to Atlanta and hit the mountains". So your feedback really hits home.
While I'm in here... What are your thoughts on either s04 pole positions in 245/265, continental extreme (in the same size), or Michelin PSS in 245/275? On the Niz wheels, of course. I wouldn't mind the extra tire with the PSS, but I don't want to screw with VDC.
While I'm in here... What are your thoughts on either s04 pole positions in 245/265, continental extreme (in the same size), or Michelin PSS in 245/275? On the Niz wheels, of course. I wouldn't mind the extra tire with the PSS, but I don't want to screw with VDC.