Are the wheels cast or forged?

[Jolman]

Got the copper wheels

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[optronix]

OEM wheels are cast.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

OEM wheels are cast.

I thought they were flow formed by enkei? Pretty sure I saw an enkei stamp on them... But I'll have them off in a few days for the apex winters to go on, so I'll see if I can find it then.

 

[optronix]

I thought they were flow formed by enkei? Pretty sure I saw an enkei stamp on them... But I'll have them off in a few days for the apex winters to go on, so I'll see if I can find it then.

This is possible, honestly. I do recall seeing somewhere Enkei is the OEM, but I wasn't aware if the process was flow-form. That would be pretty cool; in my mind flow-formed has always been a fancy way to cast but I'm aware there are some definite advantages.

In any case they're not forged, pretty confident about that.

And out of curiosity, how could you tell if they were flow-formed by looking at the wheel?

 

[Victorofhavoc]

This is possible, honestly. I do recall seeing somewhere Enkei is the OEM, but I wasn't aware if the process was flow-form. That would be pretty cool; in my mind flow-formed has always been a fancy way to cast but I'm aware there are some definite advantages.

In any case they're not forged, pretty confident about that.

And out of curiosity, how could you tell if they were flow-formed by looking at the wheel?

The easiest way is usually looking closely at the barrel to see if it's smooth and has very clean even lines from where the metal was stretched under heat.

Sometimes there's a mark on the wheel/hub side where it says FF or similar.

Biggest "feel method" is usually sound and weight where the barrel will be "more metallic" and have a distinct echo instead of a dull thud when you knock on it. Weight wise in a 19 this big i expect a flow formed wheel to be 20-25 lbs and a cast wheel to be closer to 30.

Not guarantees, but if there's more than one sign, it's a pretty good indication.

 

[Frenzal]

Sometimes it is written on the wheels directly. My winters have "flow formed", stamped on them.

Probably not all wheels have the marking thought.

 

[DukeFrisbee]

I replaced mine with a same sized forged and they weighed about 7lbs less which isn’t definitive but suggests the oem’s aren’t forged.

I doubt anyone at this price point routinely uses forged wheels other than a special edition or something.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

I replaced mine with a same sized forged and they weighed about 7lbs less which isn’t definitive but suggests the oem’s aren’t forged.

I doubt anyone at this price point routinely uses forged wheels other than a special edition or something.

Oh they're definitely not forged. Not at 350$ a wheel.

My oem 370z wheels are forged and they run 750-900/ea.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

Confirmed, the oem wheels are made by enkei and they are "flow formed" or "flow forged", whatever your preferred terminology is. That means the face of the wheel is cast and the barrel is heated and then stretched to forged. More specifically they are the higher end enkei MAT process where under low pressure the facing is cast to produce a more uniform and stronger cast section. VERY good quality wheels... The paint is just shit, but that's true of all enkei wheels. If you run your fingers over the barrel you can see and feel the ridges from the stretching process. Knock on it and there's a distinct metallic echo. Knock on the spokes and hub face and you'll find they're more thud-like but consistent across the spokes and wheels. The holes also have inserts for improved rigidity under higher heat.

 

[optronix]

Confirmed, the oem wheels are made by enkei and they are "flow formed" or "flow forged", whatever your preferred terminology is. That means the face of the wheel is cast and the barrel is heated and then stretched to forged. More specifically they are the higher end enkei MAT process where under low pressure the facing is cast to produce a more uniform and stronger cast section. VERY good quality wheels... The paint is just shit, but that's true of all enkei wheels. If you run your fingers over the barrel you can see and feel the ridges from the stretching process. Knock on it and there's a distinct metallic echo. Knock on the spokes and hub face and you'll find they're more thud-like but consistent across the spokes and wheels. The holes also have inserts for improved rigidity under higher heat.

Nice investigative inspection, as usual.

Now I'm pretty sure I have a bent OEM rim, time to get it replaced under the "wheel and tire" package I bought through the dealer.

Also strangely I've had a ton of compliments in the week I've had the OEM wheels back on. That's kind of strange, because I didn't think it was a question the car looks better with my Apex's, especially because I did not elect to add spacers although I was considering it... but also I did clean it for the first time in a while so there's that too.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

Nice investigative inspection, as usual.

Now I'm pretty sure I have a bent OEM rim, time to get it replaced under the "wheel and tire" package I bought through the dealer.

Also strangely I've had a ton of compliments in the week I've had the OEM wheels back on. That's kind of strange, because I didn't think it was a question the car looks better with my Apex's, especially because I did not elect to add spacers although I was considering it... but also I did clean it for the first time in a while so there's that too.

Glad to help!

You know, I've had multiple people stop me and ask where I got the wheels and when I tell them they're oem the jaws drop! I'm used to seeing them, so I don't think much about it... However, I always park slightly on a curb when I pick up my son from school and when we come back to the car it always looks good at a specific angle coming down the hill! I love the apex wheels, but I do really love the "twist" of the oem spokes.

Also, I just got the vreds winters back on with my apex ec7 18s and I forgot how much I love this tire! They're much more oversteer prone and easy to get to the limit, so tossing them around roundabouts when it's sub 30F out like it is right now is just such a treat! Low and safe limits are just such a blast on the street!

Edit: oh and I went to a new tire shop recently because my other one changed owner hands and their service has degraded. This shop, as soon as I pulled in to drop off the wheels and tires to mount, half the guys at the shop came over to gawk at the car and ask about it. They kept commenting on the color and when I came back for pickup they asked me to rev it for them in the shop. Borla + pops inside a big garage makes for some fun!

 

[bullitt]

Oh they're definitely not forged. Not at 350$ a wheel.

My oem 370z wheels are forged and they run 750-900/ea.

The Maxima and Q50 both had a summer wheel package option that were also Rays Forged wheels, they are not that highly priced. Nissan overcharged the Z guys cuz they know they will pay. They were nice and light. I ran them on my Altima for a while.

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