TIEfighter
New member
What is so special about forged wheels? I understand that they are more expensive because they are higher quality. Other then that why are they considered the top tier of wheels?
Forged
- Thread starter TIEfighter
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rdss
Junior Member
Strength to weight ratio. They are much stronger than a cast aluminum wheel as well as much lighter. My 17" LTZ wheel on my sonic weighed in at 23 lbs or so, the 18" BBS forged wheel on my STi is 19 lbs. When it comes down to it, a forged wheel on a DD car really wont make or break the car.
TIEfighter
New member
So basically its a stronger material because it is built differently? I don't own a race car but I could see how on a DD you probably won't be able to notice a difference from what I've heard.
rdss
Junior Member
When you think about it, it helps performance period. Unspring weight is a bigger killer of performance than sprung weight, taking off 20 lbs of upsrung weight is a big help and adding the strength is just another bonus. Will you notice it with 138 hp and 148 ft lbs trq at the fly wheel? Probably not.
gdideric
New member
suspension compliance is affected. A wheel with less inertia will transfer less bump energy to the car. Light cars benefit more than heavy cars because the unsprung weight is a greater percentage of the total.
Ie, your car will ride better and handle better.
$1000 better? probably not..not unless you bend a stock wheel and have to replace it anyway...or you like the look...or you just feel like new wheels...
Ie, your car will ride better and handle better.
$1000 better? probably not..not unless you bend a stock wheel and have to replace it anyway...or you like the look...or you just feel like new wheels...
sx sonic
New member
Yep. Normal metals are cast by pouring molten metal in a mold and letting it cool. This leaves the molecules or "grain" in a haphazard mess.
Forgings are usually rough cast, ie made kind of close to the finished shape. It is then forged, which is to say a giant ram smashes the piece into the final shape and size under enormous pressure. This aligns the molecules or "grain" and packs them closer together. Analgous to turning particle board into plywood.
The result is a stronger piece. However forging in and of itself does not make a lighter part, all dimensions being equal it is heavier. The caveat is since a forging is stronger, more material can be removed from critical areas resulting in an overall lighter and stronger part.
It is important to realize that forgings are more expensive because they add in a step $$$. Quality and light weight forgings are even more expensive because they go thru more R&D to determine where weight can be cut without making a weak wheel/part and then put thru additional machining to remove material after forging
Both those cost more money which the consumer has to pay for.
Bottom line forgings can be lighter. If that's what your after tread carefully before buying. Many rims fall under "Form over function" category and forging or other lingo can be used largely as a sales pitch.
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TIEfighter
New member
I'm not interested in buying any forged wheels. I was just wondering why all of a sudden they go for like $900+ PER WHEEL! This kind of extreme to me but maybe they are that much better that you would feel the difference. But like you said you probably won't notice unless you do more modifications to the car.
TIEfighter
New member
You have a STi and a Sonic at the same time? If so cool!
Italianjoe1
Member
My Z has forged wheels from factory, in fact all Z wheels are forged. A lot of performance cars have factory forged wheels for the reasons mentioned above, they are light and strong, strength being the major factor for the OEM's.
TIEfighter
New member
Ok cool. Yeah I just sold my '12 Sonic wanted to get something different.
Ah, I didn't know that OEM offered forged wheels from the factory. That is pretty cool. So like cars like 370z, GTR, etc have forged wheels?
rdss
Junior Member
As well as Evo's and STi's, I'm sure Porsche and other high end cars use them quite regularly as well.
Italianjoe1
Member
Yeah, most OEM's use them. Factory Cobalt SS wheels were forged. It's not terribly more expensive at their level and they need the strength. Most major manufacturers do their bulk of business with OEM's. All the Nissan/Infiniti forgings are by Rays. BBS makes a lot of OEM BMW wheels.
Italianjoe1
Member
What makes forgings expensive is making the molds for a small run. If there is an order for 1000's of wheels, the price comes down similar to cast levels. Aftermarket wheels aren't made in huge production runs, especially since there are so many sizing options of the same style wheel that all require different tooling.
Thaifight-R
Pika Pii!!!
Really?
Last I checked, only certain model Z's got the forged Rays wheels. That's why certain OEM 350Z wheels sell for much more on the used market. (i.e. the Track Edition wheels)
This seems to apply to the 370z's as well as it only states "forged wheels" for the sport package on the NissanUSA website.
Not calling you out or anything. Just stating my understanding since I look at used Z wheels for sale fairly often.
But I agree, many cars out there have factory forged wheels.
Actually, don't forget about the Cruze Eco! Those wheels are forged as well! (By Alcoa if I recall correctly)
laborsmith
New member
Yes, by Alcoa, so you do recall correctly.
Laborsmith
Laborsmith
Italianjoe1
Member
Really?
Last I checked, only certain model Z's got the forged Rays wheels. That's why certain OEM 350Z wheels sell for much more on the used market. (i.e. the Track Edition wheels)
This seems to apply to the 370z's as well as it only states "forged wheels" for the sport package on the NissanUSA website.
Not calling you out or anything. Just stating my understanding since I look at used Z wheels for sale fairly often.
But I agree, many cars out there have factory forged wheels.
Actually, don't forget about the Cruze Eco! Those wheels are forged as well! (By Alcoa if I recall correctly)
You could be correct on the earlier base model wheels, I have some in the garage i'll have to look. I know the newer 5-spoke base wheels and all optional wheels are forged.
Alcoa makes a ton of OEM wheels actually.
