Right now I am looking for a set of lightweight, preferably on the cheap, rims.
My brother recommended the konig feathers as they should still look good on my max, however I dont think these rims are light enough. They weigh in at 16.8 lbs. Can I realistically get a 17" rim at less than 13lbs?
I also want two sets 4 17", or maybe 18" to clear some serious brake kits but still lightweight, and 2 15" for the drag strip etc.

 

i dont know of any 17iin wheel that weighs 13 lbs. mine are 17s and weigh 17lbs. i noticed a big difference going from 18s with rubber at 55lbs to 17 with rubber at 43 lbs

 

I was going to say that 16.8 is pretty damn good as most stock rims that I have read about tend to run between 22-28 lbs without any rubber.

 

I figure that because Im getting the rims for the sole purpose of being lightweight, I should try to maximize the weightloss.
Also does anyone know where I can find forged rims for cheap?

 

I think you may be looking for a little much, seeing as how I see forged rims, under 17 lbs, for cheap. I think 2 of those you may find, but the unicorn you described might be tough!

 

17X8 Enkei RPF1 - 15.5lbs/wheel - 1000usd

This is what I'm running next summer, should be a nice improvement from the 24lb stockers

 

How easy and for what value do you think those new Enkei's could be sold, say 1 or two years old, and in good condition? Have ever thought about that while considering swapping out your stock rims?

 

Look at tirerack.com and yeah the Enkei's are the lightest you will find...

 

Mmm RPF1s. Good choice. I'm sure you mean 1000 for set of 4, right?

 

Clean, appealing design.

 

 

Yeah, TireRack has a set of 4 for $952.00

Mine might be slightly more because I want the SBC coating
But, it shouldn't be that much more.

http://www.enkei.com/rpf1.html

 

I hadn't thought about it to be honest. Most aftermarket stuff seems too drop by about 1/2 just by being used.

I'll be keeping my stockers just in case I do want to sell them. I can't see it being difficult to sell a light, well priced set of aftermarket wheels should the need arise.

 

RPF1s just happen to be what I'm planning on as well.17x9 +22

 

Ordering through an online vendor ? I'm not sure Tire Rack has the SBC ones as they are special order.

 

I might be able to get them cheaper for you. My parts guy is an authorized enkei dealer. Get me hte exact part number you want and I'll check it out

 

Thanks Ray !

 

I echo most of the suggestions here with regards to the rpf1's. A good rule of thumb for lightweight wheels is a lb/in of diameter. So if you can find 17" rims that weigh 17lbs or less then your looking in the right place.

With regards to cost, as you would expect you pay significantly more as the wheel gets lighter. As a comparison, the lightest wheel that Volk makes, the CE28n weighs in at 16lbs for 18x8.5 sizes which is super duper light but cost over 3,000 for a set.

Compare that to the rpf1's in 17x8 being 15.5lbs and you see how significant pricing changes with weight.

The rpf1s are extremely popular because they are strong, light and relatively cheap.

 

Those enkeis are definitely a good option and should look very nice on the car as well, however I wasn't planning on ~$1000. Its a bummer being in college and working at a restaurant . I should be able to find a used set for $500 maybe?
Also looking at other rims, are the stock rims 17x7.5? and would getting a 17x7 or 17x8 make any difference? I just dropped my car on koni inserts and tein stechs so I'm worried about rubbing etc. now

EDIT: While looking around I found the Konig daylite rims which weigh 14.2 lbs and are just a bit more expensive than the feathers. I dont think the color combos could ever look good on my merlot max though

 

You're dreaming so wake the hell up! Anything I have that's used still looks new and it'll never be half priced....Headers, catbacks, wheels, struts, etc!

 

If you are able to get more for your used parts that's awesome !

I've never really viewed aftermarket parts as an investment in the sense of a financial
return. Worst case scenario if I had to sell something fast 1/2 of retail would certainly make
Any part move quickly.

 

Just a FYI... this chart says "caps not included".

 

who needs caps...who needs lug nuts..

 

When I last saw a set of similar Enkei's, they had a large plastic cap that went over he entire lug nut area. It was kind of interesting looking.

It was only a little while ago that I saw an equation that described the *effective* weight loss of using lightweight rims. (15 lbs vs. 24 lbs.) The actual weight loss is 36 pounds (total) less than our 17" SE rims, but I think the effective weight loss is somewhere around 300 pounds.

 

How heavy are stock 350z 05 5spoke rims?

 

The stock 5 spokes should be around 26lb. The Z track editions are like 18lb.

 

good to know my 19s are lighter than the 350 AE

 

I have Kazera ET40's (17x7.5's) from TireRack, and they're definitely lighter than stock, 19.6 lbs or so, $129 each.

Not the lightest, but the lightest for the price. With some General UHP's everything drives quite nicely. Putting the stock wheels with Nokian WR tires (heavy too) on there makes the car feel like it's dragging a boat anchor.

 

These enkei center carps costs $33/each, and they look kind of cheap.

I wonder what other options there are for caps?



These here look much better, for less price, and in color. Although black should be an option, I'd think.

http://www.nengun.com/enkei/color-center-caps

 

Yeah reductions in rotational mass make massive differences. JayPee dyno'd a 10whp difference going to a lightweight flywheel and UDP. Weight reduction on wheels and especially tires (they are furthest from the hub, more leverage) should give similarly large differences.

I would love to eventually go to some light 16x8 wheels with 245/45/16s (1" reduction in total diameter from stock) for daily driving. With an auto I'd go even smaller.

For now, though, I am "stuck" with 18x8 350z track editions with 245/40/18s.

 

Light weight wheels definitely make a difference and not just on cars. Take 250 grams (a little more than half a pound) out of the back wheel on a road bike (Lance Armstrong style bike) and the difference is very noticeable. Just like with cars, the lighter the wheels are, the more they cost. 1000 gram per pair carbon wheels can run $3000+ for the pair!

You should also look at the tire weight too, some tires out there are 3-4 pounds heavier than other tires in the same size.

 

I sold my 17x7.5 RPF1's for $700 in almost excellent condition. With some scratches/nicks I bet you could find some for $500-$600 given time.

 

The ones in your link are much better looking. I'd like to find a black or silver insert though. That or plain and do a nissan burger in the center.

 

I can't name onething that's bought for a car period that's an investment....

 

Yes, and yes, and yes.

If I find any other options, I'll post. Teh Google is an amazing thing.

 

LW wheels also return better (I've seen as much as 12%) MPG. Also feels as if I added a 'mod' when I go back to my LW 17's, feels far more responsive and eager.

 

Could just get a little creative with the ones you linked.

 

Those enkei's are my next wheel purchase...if ANYBODY has them for sale in silver 17x9.5 hit me up...dont care what state youre in...but if not ill just go the tirerack route...but knight yyz would your friend be able to work out a group buy if enough people show interest??

 

9.5?

 

he is prob gonna run a 195 tire for mad stretch yo!