My RX7/Rotary projects... formerly My Blk base build up.. by Herblenny

7 minute(s) of a 569 minute read

From DGRR 2013

5-26-2013

Thanks for the kind words..

Few more updated photos of the MB..

After Deals Gap Rotary Rally... I went to check out Import Alliance... Few photographers took pics of my MB FD..

I swapped out the Volk TE37SL Black Editions with R888s to more streetable wheel/tires. Tires are Toyo T1-Sport wrapped around BBS MonoForged wheels also known as GT4 also came on EvoX MR. I am a fan or older Toyo T1S and T1R and was told the new T1-Sports are quiet, grippy, and responsive. Which after driving around today for over an hour through back country roads, highway pulls, sitting on traffic , I like the T1-Sport.

5-28-2013

Thanks!

Updated photo from today..

blacked out Efini emblem and the RE-Amemiya Carbon side mirrors I picked up from Chip.

I've also took the 3M vinyl bottom half of the Feed fenders (to protect the paint) and used Plasti Dip instead... Testing it out as I already F'd up the paint when pulling the 3M vinyl first time around..

Plasti Dip was bit hard to control to lay it flat but I eventually did a good job on it. I also did the efini emblem with it too. Going to see how long it will last.

Also the RE-Amemiya mirrors are much better than the APR mirrors I had before...

Thanks RE-Amemiya

I also pulled out the SSM FD as I was re-organizing the garage so I can hopefully get a lift in next couple of months..

How about these...

I'm trying to come up with something about the covers...

I do agree with you some what.. The G25 is the other wheels I thought of but going to wait and see what else comes out.. On FB, GM of Rays said there will be many Volk Racing products. Volk Racing = Monoforged wheels = Only wheels I would buy  

The other wheels I really like is these from Advan GT... problem.. 19+ size..

Oh, And more I research about wheels, I would not buy 3 piece wheels... Apparently there is no regulation about 3 piece wheels or any wheels sold in USA.. hence so many 3 piece wheel companies popping up in USA.. People should be cautious when buying them... I recently help out a friend when his 3 piece wheel the centers were swapped from front and rear... and when breaking them down, torque on the nuts were way off. Also, when assembling, there were way too much play of the centers. This made me really think about buying them for performance reason.

5-29-2013

Hi David.

well, I'm also a forgeline owner (ZX3). But as I do more and more research, I would still not purchase 3 piece wheels from any company because per value and what you get and what most of us do, its not worth it.

Example, my understanding from what I've read during my research early this year is that most of us have no idea where the 'forged' blocks comes from. I don't think forgelines or any company that says forged blocks are from Alcoa or from other places. Second, unlike BBS, Advan, Rays, mono forged, other wheel companies do not mold form. What they do is they get a general shape and machines out the rest. I know for fact, forgeline, HRE, etc, monoforge wheels are 70-80+% machined out from a block. If you look at the BBS and Rays process, they go through 2-3 mold forming process where near end, general shape of the wheel is made and little machining is done... Just as you are stating about gain structure, this type of mold forming by Rays and BBS is what makes that gain structure.

Also, its final fit and finish. Rays finish is also unique and the process is what you also pay for. Most companies in USA don't have any regulations follow and no post production spec. Volk wheels are on other hand each wheels go through precise inspection. 

However, benefit of going with high end 3 piece wheel company such as forgeline is their detail to assembly, exact spec you want when 1 piece wheel isn't available, and changing wheel width later or damaging 1 piece of the wheel you can fix at a value. But as you and I know, that comes with great cost. Their wheels are min. $1000 a piece. And they need to be sent in to change out barrels, which costs 2 way shipping, labor to swap, and $400/barrel. Not cheap and at that cost, RAYS wheels are a bargain for what you truly get.True Monoforging, great finish (FYI: Never buy non Rays finish), super light and post inspection for true roundness. Not sure if you had similar issues but when I was getting my forgelines dynamically balanced, it took on quite a bit of weights to get it done right. I noticed quite a bit with many 3 piece wheels. 

If I were to buy a 3 piece wheels because I need an exact spec, leading in machining, design, etc... I would pick Forgeline. All other companies in USA that makes 3 piece wheels are just a followers of Forgeline. However, as I stated about monoforged wheels, I would definitely go with BBS, RAYS, or now Advan as I believe they are best in doing forging.. 

And final FYI: BBS mono forging is done in Japan.. BBS F1 wheels are also made in Japan by BBS Japan aka Washi Beam. Rays - Volk Racing wheels are ALL mono-forged wheels. Washi Beam and Rays are only ones also do Magnesium mold forged/mono forged wheels. Thought I share that.

Here are some information from RAYS..

From BBS about structural change formed from mold forging..