In Good Company

Some Enkei centerlock, forged magnesium wheels, being put through their paces in competition use

Rare Enkei Inside and on Special

Got a few Enkei specials on some limited quantity sizes/colors

BMW NT03+M:
18×8.5 +38 Hypersilver: $285 each
18×10 .25 Hypersilver: $312 each

RPF1: ALL 5×114.3
17×9 +22 Silver: $231.50 each (only 2 left)

17×9.5 +38 Silver: $239 each
17×9.5 +18 Silver: $239 each
17×9.5 +18 SBC: $319 each

17×10 +38 Silver $247 each (2 left)

18×10 +38 Silver $315 each (2 left)

18×9.5 +45 Silver: $308.75 each – 1 set left
18×9.5 +15 Silver: $308.75 each – 1 set left

18×9.5 +15 SBC: $357 each – 1 set left

18×9.5 +15 Matte Black: $328 each – 1 set left

18×10.5 +15 Silver: $328 each
18×10.5 +15 SBC: $380 each

NT03+M: ALL 5×114.3

18×9.5 +27 WHITE: $325 each

18×9.5 +27 Hypersilver: $296 each
18×9.5 +40 Hypersilver: $296 each
18×10.5 +30 Hypersilver: $315 each – 2 sets left

All are first come, first served only. Shipping is not included; worldwide shipping available. Contact z1sales@z1auto.com with your full, complete address for shipping pricing

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More New Enkei Hotnes – PF01SS

Another brand new wheel from Enkei – the PF01SS.

3 colors – black/polished lip, white/polished lip or platinum machined silver

Sizes: 17×8 and 17×9 only

New Enkei Hotness – RSM9 (now with pricing!)

We’re not ones to double post stuff on our own blog, but we had lots of people asking about these. Now that pricing is available, figured what the hell post it again

Sizes range from 17×7 to 19×10.5

What’s in a Wheel?

We get this question all the time, and figured this would be a good opportunity to shed some light on what goes into making an aftermarket wheel. Most tend to think a wheel falls into 2 categories – forged and cast. While this is generally true, there are variations that make a very big impact in the finished product.

At the bottom of the pyramid you have Gravity Cast wheels. This is a fairly simple production technique whereby molten aluminum is literally poured into a mold. Because of the simple process, the mold can be quite complex and intricate. This affords the manufacturer a wider range of styles to play with, and offers the greatest flexibility of design. The downside of course is the technique itself. Since you’re relying on plain old gravity to fill the mold, it’s not perfect. The net result is a wheel that has more empty space between the molecules vs. more involved manufacturing processes. They also tend to be on the heavier side of things, as the goal is style in design vs all out strength. The upside is the price for these wheels can be downright cheap. But so can the quality. Often times, the wheels are made in plants of dubious quality, and attention to detail is sometimes shoddy. You can tell the el cheapo stuff by casting flash on the backside of the spokes and hub.

Next up you’ve got Pressure Cast Wheels. As the name implies, this technique relies on external pressure to fill the mold. As you can probably guess, the result is a wheel where there is far less empty space between the molecules. This method is a bit more limiting in overall style, but the strength to weight ratio is much higher compared to plain gravity cast wheels. This is the most common method used by the larger OEM manufacturers, because it affords them a good compromise between design and strength. Within the Pressure Cast family you have both higher pressure and low pressure. Differences are as stated – the amount of pressure exerted on the aluminun in the mold.

The next technique is relatively new compared to the above, and is employed by several manufacturers such as SSR, Enkei, etc. It’s called Flow Forming, or Spun Form, Hybrid Forged, etc. This process employs a pressure cast technique at first, to achieve a general shape. Rollers are then used to literally pull, or press, the material to shape the final design. Many high end OEM manufacturers use this technique on their wheels. While it’s still technically a casting technique, the process allows a wheel to be incredibly strong (since the molecules are very densely packed), and light weight at the same time. While the production costs are the highest among the cast methods, it still allows the wheel to be about 50% less costly than a forged variant. SSR Type F, Type C RS, several designs from Weds and BBS and several in Enkei’s Racing series employ this technique. Enkei has licensed the process to several other traditional cast manufacturers such as Konig and AME over the years as well.

The pinnacle of the wheel production pyramid is of course forging. In this process, a single, billet hunk of aluminum is literally stamped into a design using very high pressure applied to a die. Because of the costs involved from the raw materials, to the production equipment, these are far and away the most expensive types of wheels. However, they also tend to have the best weight to strength ratio. The designs are often quite limited because of the cost to produces the dies. These tend to be simpler overall designs (aka Volk TE37, BBS LM and LMR, etc.).

From there you get into a variety of materials. Aluminum and Magnesium are the most often used metals. In recent years, we’ve also seen hybrids employing both carbon and aluminum bonded together. The cost of these more exotic materials is high, but it’s done in the pursuit of the lightest weight, and highest level of strength.

When you begin to examine the above in greater detail, you also begin to see that the process is only part of the equation. There are bad quality cast wheels and good quality cast wheels. There are wheels who’s designs are based on a forging model, that are replicated in cast models. There are wheels who’s design is based upon a low or high pressure, or spun technique, and some company turns around and does a low pressure cast version. From the outside, it all looks the same. The price is certainly more attractive. Sometimes it works well, sometimes it doesn’t. This is why the better cast manufacturers don’t replicate every wheel under the sun – because they know it’s an accident waiting to happen. Another important consideration is who is making the wheel in the first place. Some firms own their own factories, some simply come up with a design and broker manufacturing out to the lowest bidder. The problem is the consumer never sees this side of the market, they only see the finished product. When it arrives to you new in the box, it can look all shiny and pretty. Turn the wheel over and examine the spokes, and you can begin to see the origins, and the quality of the wheel. The better quality wheels tend to be finished in very great detail even on the backside, and no casting flaws can be seen, and no extra flashing. The cheap stuff looks…well, cheap.

Hopefully that helps shed some light on what some differences are between the various wheel manufacturing techniques.

Enkei RC-T4

Enkei RC-T4 – a genuine motorsport level, tarmac wheel that is world famous for being both strong, and lightweight

We have a VERY limited number available – 18×9.5, 5-114.3, +30 offset in the rare Hyper Black. Perfect for those looking for a unique street wheel, or a competition level wheel that doesn’t break, doesn’t break the bank, and stands out from the ‘me too’ wheels everyone else runs. Weighs just 18 lbs each!!! No other sizes or colors are available

Priced at $1825 for the set picked up or shipped in the tri state area (pickup price includes sales tax). Need tires mounted/balanced? We offer a full range of performance tires from Toyo, Bridgestone, Yokohama, Michelin…from pure street tires to full out competition tires

Stuck on You

Some quick snaps of a venerable combo – RPF1’s + Toyo R888. This particular combo now resides on a track going 350Z we’ll be assisting with (parts wise) this year.

Enkei PF01

2010 is here and Enkei’s newest wheel is coming soon

PART NO.
OFFSET
BOLT PATTERN
BORE
DIAMETER (5=15, 6=16 and so on)
WEIGHT(lbs.) – approximate at time of engineering
All are finished in Silver
460-570-4935SP 35 4×100 N.A.
460-570-4941SP 41 4×100 12.0*
460-580-4935SP 8 35 4×100 N.A.
460-670-4943SP 16 7 43 4×100 75 13.9*
460-770-4938SP 38 4×100
460-770-4945SP 45 4×100
460-770-6548SP 48 5×114.3
460-775-6538SP 38 5×114.3
460-775-6545SP 45 5×114.3
460-775-8038SP 38 5×100
460-775-8045SP 45 5×100 N.A.
460-780-4435SP 35 5×112
460-780-4450SP 50 5×112
460-780-6545SP 45 5×114.3
460-780-8035SP 35 5×100
460-780-8045SP 45 5×100
460-785-1240SP 40 5×120
460-785-6540SP 40 5×114.3
460-875-6538SP 38 5×114.3 N.A.
460-875-6545SP 45 5×114.3 17.2*
460-875-8038SP 38 5×100 N.A.
460-875-8045SP 45 5×100 N.A.
460-880-1235SP 35 5×120
460-880-1242SP 42 5×120
460-880-4435SP 35 5×112
460-880-4445SP 45 5×112 N.A.
460-880-5140SP 40 5X110
460-880-6540SP 40 5×114.3
460-880-6545SP 45 5×114.3
460-885-6530SP 30 5×114.3 N.A.
460-885-6535SP 35 5×114.3 N.A.
460-885-6548SP 48 5×114.3 18.0*
460-890-4435SP 35 5×112
460-890-6535SP 35 5×114.3
460-890-6545SP 45 5×114.3
460-895-6515SP 15 5×114.3 N.A.
460-895-6535SP 35 5×114.3
460-895-6545SP 45 5×114.3
460-8105-6515SP 15 5×114.3
460-8105-6538SP 38 5×114.3

So Fresh… So Clean

Beat the Price Increase Sale on all AME Wheels!!

All AME wheels are going up on November 15, so there are just a few days left to get a great deal on an awesome set of wheels for your car

AME TM02: This split 6 spoke wheel comes in 18 and 19 inch fitments, and combines a slight lip with a nice concave curve to the spokes. Offered in dark gunmetal, silver, and matte black.

AME FS01: A uniquely styled wheel that looks great on a wide range of cars

Don’t have another “me too” setup – step it up with something quality, unique, and save $$ at the same time!

R34 V-Spec on NT03s

I love Enkei NT03s and I love R34 GT-Rs so I guess what I am saying is that I love this exact car. ( I personally would lower it some, but thats me.)

AME TM-02…

Kent from AME just sent us some more photos of these wheels installed on different vehicles. The name of the wheel “TM-02” stands for Tracer M.A.T. Version II. These wheels are made using Enkei’s proven proprietary M.A.T. wheel forming process. which improves the material properties of the wheel and its overall performance characteristics.

I really like these wheels, especially on the Invision EVO.

Here is some more information the M.A.T. process used to make these wheels:

http://og-made.com/archives/1587

http://og-made.com/archives/1681

If you have any questions regarding general information on these wheels or any other lines we carry please feel free to e-mail me at Kwame@z1auto.com or shoot me an IM at my AIM screenname “Kwamez1auto”; or contact Adam at z1sales@z1auto.com or at “z1auto” on AIM.