[Accomplice1]

I've been doing some research and it seems like an FX45 could get a pretty noticable performance gain just by swapping to light weight forged wheels. I've heard that the stock 20 X 8 wheels weigh in around 42.5 lbs. Good forged wheels in the same size can weigh as little as 23-25 lbs. each. None of them look as good as the stock wheels to me but the performance gains may well be worth it. After looking at many models of forged wheels (HRE, iForged, etc.) I came across these 8 spoke wheels that are the closest in appearance to the stock wheels.

http://www.dpengineering.cc/images/r08.jpg

Dealers seem to be guessing that they weigh around 25 lbs. I'm hoping to get some sort of confirmation of the exact weight before I order them. Another issue is that they may be available only in 20 X 8.5 in which case I may have to buy new tires for that width of wheel (?). If I'm able to drop around 80 lbs of unsprung weight this FX could be really close in straight line performance to cars like the 350Z and early NSXs. Amazing for such a practical vehicle.

 

[MustGoFastR]

The stock tires will fit just fine on that width of wheel.

 

[Accomplice1]

Oh okay. It would probably stop me from going to forged wheels if I had to spring for all new tires. Thanks for the response.

 

[esemes]

The stock tires will fit just fine on that width of wheel.

bingo....

and if you're shavin off ½ of the weight, you're gonna drop some noticable times indeed.... (very easily!)

 

[brnjug]

I have 20x9 forged/chromed and the tires fit and handle better with the width increase
I was not impressed with the 350Z I raced with the other mods ,but before the wheels or Eibachs

 

[Accomplice1]

I have 20x9 forged/chromed and the tires fit and handle better with the width increase
I was not impressed with the 350Z I raced with the other mods ,but before the wheels or Eibachs

Was there a 'seat of the pants' difference when you put the forged wheels on (assuming they're lighter)?

 

[brnjug]

There was a seat of the pants...but the shopp where I bought them and had them installed showed me the diff by lifting.them vs weighing them..stock are now sold

 

[Accomplice1]

Some of the mesh style forged wheels are really light but I've never been a fan of them. Here is one that is supposed to be very light (23-24 lbs.?).

http://www.dpengineering.cc/images/r16.jpg

 

[Accomplice1]

Update: The wheel model (R08) I posted above is around 28.5 lbs. This similar, 6 spoke design is around 24.5 lbs.

http://www.dpengineering.cc/showroom/r06variant.jpg

I asked a company that takes FX45 wheels in, chromes them and ships them back out if they knew how much they weighed. The guy got back with me today, "approx. 47 lbs." Wacky huh? I guess the 42.5 lbs. is probably closer to the actual weight. I suspect that the 47 lbs. is closer to the total shipping weight with packaging materials, etc.

 

[brnjug]

Not surprised...the lightest forged wheels are modular2/3 pieces...but I do not know how strongly they have gotten into the larger sizes

 

[dinofx35]

If the wheels had their weight evenly distributed and there were no tires, then dropping 80 pounds of wheels would be the same as removing 120 pounds of weight elsewhere. That's 80 for the wheels, and 1/2 of 80 for the moment of inertia of a disc. This is probably a good approximation since the majority of the weight is around the outer edge, but that edge isn't quite rotating at the same speed as the car.

 

[Accomplice1]

I found some wheels that are 25-26 lbs. in 20X10. Plus they are only $2,400 per set. These guys have been making lots of wheels for Corvette and Viper owners over the last few years. Here is a link:

http://www.ccwheel.com/street/files/gal ... tm#gallery

 

[mhgsx]

Volk now makes the GT-C in a 20" application; 20x8.5 and 20x9.5. These should be pretty light.

Advan also makes a wheel called the Connoseiur (sp???) in a 20x9. This I can get for $700/ wheel. Don't have the weights for them yet.

No price yet for the Volks.

 

[Accomplice1]

Thanks for the info. on those two wheel options. The Advan are cast I think. Here are some weights I found for that Volk model:

"18x7.5" for the front (+50 offset) & 18x8" for the rear (+50 offset), both in the GT-C Face 1 design. The front wheel weighs 22.5 pounds and the rear wheel 22.6 pounds."

Based on those weights, I'd think that the 20X10's would be close to 30 lbs. Its a great looking wheel though. Any chance other Volk models will come out in 20's?

 

[mhgsx]

Not sure when Volk will make other models in the 20" size. It's GOING to happen, but who knows when. You know how 'traditional' the japanese can get.... :roll:

OZ also has 2 20" applications, the Superleggera III (forged, 3 piece) and the Galileo III (3 piece, cast). I think both look sharp.

I like the looks of that Advan model, but Advans are usually cast. Plenty strong, though. And who knows about the weight.

 

[Accomplice1]

A dealer just told me that he guessed that those Volks in 20X10.5 would weigh around 35 lbs. It seems like there aren't any really great looking wheels available in a 20 inch size that are under 26 lbs. I know that as soon as I order some, a great new model meeting ALL my parameters will be made available.

 

[Accomplice1]

Another Volk rep just told me that he thought this model in 20X10.5 would be 26 lbs. These guys are all just guessing. I'll try to find somebody who has it in stock that is willing to weigh a wheel.

 

[particlefx]

Are these lightweight wheels more likely to deform/bend in potholes (combined with the added weight of the FX (albeit slight))?

 

[mhgsx]

The weight of 19" GT-C's varies from 24-26 lbs, depending upon the width. The weight of 18" varies from 20-24 lbs. My guess is that 20" wheels will range from 27-31 lbs. In the size we'd be looking at, probably 29lbs (20x9.5)

As far as strength, it really depends on the manufacturer. BBS forged wheels are pretty easy to bend. Volks have a good reputation for having a strong wheel. Advan wheels are cast, but are known to be very strong.

It basically boils down to the driver. For instance, I ran SSR competitions on my IS300 as a summer set. You can find quite a few posts at other car sites that say that they are too weak for daily use and bend pretty easy. I've never had any problems with them, and I live in the Chicagoland area.

Just keep your tires properly inflated, and don't do anything stupid. I think just the width of the tires alone will save the rim from pothole hits that would normally damage smaller rims.

 

[particlefx]

I see. Thanks.