What do you guys and gals think of these GT3 wheels for my C4S?
09-18-2007, 11:07 AM
#16
Ironman 140.6
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
While the OEM GT3 wheels are a tad bit heavier than other options out there, they are EXTREMEMLY strong and durable and they are the wheels I use for the track. Until I feel like dropping 3-4K for a set of aftermarket track focused wheels I'm going to use the OEM set. FYI...I have 2 sets, one for the street and one for the track.
What people fail to understand is that if a wheel is lighter something has to be sacrificed.......strength! It is a fine balance between the variables (weight v. strength). The GT3 wheel is a great combo of both. The other wheels the track guys like for weight and strength are (Forgeline, BBS Motorsports, Fikse, CCW, and Volk). While Champion are nice, they are definitely street bling moreso than track oriented. Just take a look around the paddock at any track day and check out the "experienced" cars/drivers to see what they are running. We have definitely as a group collectively tried it all and can give REAL WORLD results unlike speculation and anecdotal evidence that most here try to offer up.
What people fail to understand is that if a wheel is lighter something has to be sacrificed.......strength! It is a fine balance between the variables (weight v. strength). The GT3 wheel is a great combo of both. The other wheels the track guys like for weight and strength are (Forgeline, BBS Motorsports, Fikse, CCW, and Volk). While Champion are nice, they are definitely street bling moreso than track oriented. Just take a look around the paddock at any track day and check out the "experienced" cars/drivers to see what they are running. We have definitely as a group collectively tried it all and can give REAL WORLD results unlike speculation and anecdotal evidence that most here try to offer up.
Keep in mind that material, construction method and design are all very important determining factors for strength and weight. The lighter wheel is not necessarily the weaker wheel (it can be stronger in some cases). Strength is not always sacrificed (although for a light AND strong wheel, the sacrifice may be the dent in your wallet).
Finally, are you quite sure about you claims ("street bling") regarding Champions? I have talked to more than one "wheel guy" who have told me they are very strong and make great track wheels. Just wondering who your source is for the "Bling" comment on Champions.
09-18-2007, 11:18 AM
#17
Nordschleife Master
The GT3 wheel is cast. Of course, light and strong will set you back some serious $$$.
Now obviously the forged process will allow you to produce a "stronger" wheel, but it all depends on what you want and what you want to spend. Generally, you see the forged wheels in 2 and 3 piece while the cast is a single unit.
It takes less material to forge a wheel than cast a wheel which is where the weight comes into play.
Would I rather have a forged wheel? You bet. But I am not ready to plunk down 3-4K when I have a very good wheel in the OEM cast wheel.
Now obviously the forged process will allow you to produce a "stronger" wheel, but it all depends on what you want and what you want to spend. Generally, you see the forged wheels in 2 and 3 piece while the cast is a single unit.
It takes less material to forge a wheel than cast a wheel which is where the weight comes into play.
Would I rather have a forged wheel? You bet. But I am not ready to plunk down 3-4K when I have a very good wheel in the OEM cast wheel.
09-18-2007, 11:27 AM
#18
Rennlist Member
After just finding a bent rear sport classic wheel on my car NO MORE CAST WHEELS! For the money these cars cost it is ridiculous that Porsche puts cheap wheels on them. This is why they are the most profitable car company
09-18-2007, 12:17 PM
#19
Banned
For example, you see all these 22" "forged" wheel ads out there, but I'd be damned if those suckers don't bend given their size and popular deep dish lip. They certainly look pretty and are a must on big-bodied sedans, but you need to be careful with them as with ANY wheel driving in the municipality.
You can find examples of "quality" Fikse, BBS, OZ, etc etc wheels bent out of shape. And they're forged to boot!
I'm actually going to be selling my forged OZ3s for cast Work Brombachers. Both wheels are durable, beautiful street wheels. If I was a track nerd, I'd probably go with 18" Fikses or CCWs or Champion wheels to keep the weight down, but with all that focus on lightweight, you give up looks.
Balance, baby, like water.
09-18-2007, 02:25 PM
#21
Ironman 140.6
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
The GT3 wheel is cast. Of course, light and strong will set you back some serious $$$.
Now obviously the forged process will allow you to produce a "stronger" wheel, but it all depends on what you want and what you want to spend. Generally, you see the forged wheels in 2 and 3 piece while the cast is a single unit.
It takes less material to forge a wheel than cast a wheel which is where the weight comes into play.
Would I rather have a forged wheel? You bet. But I am not ready to plunk down 3-4K when I have a very good wheel in the OEM cast wheel.
Now obviously the forged process will allow you to produce a "stronger" wheel, but it all depends on what you want and what you want to spend. Generally, you see the forged wheels in 2 and 3 piece while the cast is a single unit.
It takes less material to forge a wheel than cast a wheel which is where the weight comes into play.
Would I rather have a forged wheel? You bet. But I am not ready to plunk down 3-4K when I have a very good wheel in the OEM cast wheel.
I suspect the reason you don't see as many Champions (as some other brands) at the track has far more to do with cost than strength.
09-18-2007, 02:35 PM
#22
Banned
That's what I thought. No offense, but I'd take my 18" forged Champion RG5's (the wheels you call bling) over cast GT3 wheels any day of the week. Not only are they significantly lighter, I'd bet they are stronger.
I suspect the reason you don't see as many Champions (as some other brands) at the track has far more to do with cost than strength.
I suspect the reason you don't see as many Champions (as some other brands) at the track has far more to do with cost than strength.
Not sure how you guys are going to measure strength, though. Kinda tough to do unless you want to run over a bunch of potholes and see which one cracks first.
Splittin hairs.
09-18-2007, 02:44 PM
#23
Nordschleife Master
Maybe it's just b/c Champion are too damn nice looking. I sure wouldn't track 'em but I wouldn't definitely cruise the town with 'em!
Not that the others aren't nice but they just have that "focused" look (track). Well, expect for those forgelines. Dear Lord, now that is some serious bling!
09-19-2007, 01:04 PM
#24
That's what I thought. No offense, but I'd take my 18" forged Champion RG5's (the wheels you call bling) over cast GT3 wheels any day of the week. Not only are they significantly lighter, I'd bet they are stronger.
I suspect the reason you don't see as many Champions (as some other brands) at the track has far more to do with cost than strength.
I suspect the reason you don't see as many Champions (as some other brands) at the track has far more to do with cost than strength.
Re the cost, I picked mine up used and while they looked really good (previous owner had powdercoated the centers black), they weren't cosmetically perfect but had no curb rash, bends, dings, etc. I was looking for a one-piece forged wheel with a design I liked and these fit the bill perfectly (also wanted black wheels).
09-19-2007, 01:59 PM
#25
CCWheel.com makes excellent extremely strong (stronger than any OEM cast wheel for sure) that weigh in at about 20 pounds (18") and are nowhere near as expensive as the pricey Champions,Fiske,etc....only $500 more than the $2100 I paid for my factory 20lb. Carreras.
I'm considering demoting my OEM five spokers for winter beating and using the CCWheel Corsair(bottom pic) for summer use with my Goodyear F1's.
I'm considering demoting my OEM five spokers for winter beating and using the CCWheel Corsair(bottom pic) for summer use with my Goodyear F1's.
09-19-2007, 03:53 PM
#27
Forged wheels in industrial capacities is the standard, with tensile strenghts capable of withstanding 20K pounds in some applications. The alternative, hollow cast alloys are made to dent, so you end up buying more. kinda Like all those new and improved network viruses designed and deployed by the makers of security software. The cast alloy market is similarly a self perpetuating industry and they charge you allot to boot.
09-28-2007, 03:17 PM
#28
Nordschleife Master
Quick update.......
Regarding the GT3 wheel being cast. It is actually FORGED! I just got done reading an article talking about the specs of the car from when it was released to the public (the MkII GT3) and the wheels are actually identified as being forged.
I just assumed they were cast and I (and others) should have known better to find a source before assuming the manufacturing of the wheel.
Long story short? They are FORGED ALLOY WHEELS.
Regarding the GT3 wheel being cast. It is actually FORGED! I just got done reading an article talking about the specs of the car from when it was released to the public (the MkII GT3) and the wheels are actually identified as being forged.
I just assumed they were cast and I (and others) should have known better to find a source before assuming the manufacturing of the wheel.
Long story short? They are FORGED ALLOY WHEELS.
09-28-2007, 03:26 PM
#29
Banned
Quick update.......
Regarding the GT3 wheel being cast. It is actually FORGED! I just got done reading an article talking about the specs of the car from when it was released to the public (the MkII GT3) and the wheels are actually identified as being forged.
I just assumed they were cast and I (and others) should have known better to find a source before assuming the manufacturing of the wheel.
Long story short? They are FORGED ALLOY WHEELS.
Regarding the GT3 wheel being cast. It is actually FORGED! I just got done reading an article talking about the specs of the car from when it was released to the public (the MkII GT3) and the wheels are actually identified as being forged.
I just assumed they were cast and I (and others) should have known better to find a source before assuming the manufacturing of the wheel.
Long story short? They are FORGED ALLOY WHEELS.