hornetball

iTrader: (4)

So, Keith . . . you planning to change the wheels on your car?

Keith@FM

iTrader: (1)

I'm going to continue to use the two sets of 15x8 6ULs I have - they're good wheels, no reason to get rid of them. Any new wheel sets will likely be Jongbloeds - say, if I decide to go with a larger tire size. That depends on what the tire manufacturers do!

emilio700

iTrader: (3)

Multi piece or forged, yes. One piece LPC-FF, not so much. We have tried really hard to get the Gen 4 6UL's made here but it just isn't possible without OEM level quantities. Like 10,000 pcs silver 15x8 at a time.

All of the OEM's get their wheels made in China and Taiwan, a few from other sources. The trick is having materials auditing and Tier 1 level QC protocol and inspections of every batch. We have done it but it's difficult for a small company. Or previous supplier Gen 2-3 is now the worlds largest forged wheel supplier based in Taiwan.

Jongbloed and Dforce look to be doing things right with their high quality China sourced but USA designed wheels. Before anyone balks at China as a source for light weight race wheels, go no further than the flawless OEM forged wheels on your $60K luxury car to see what's possible. The 20 lbs 17x8 8 lug OEM polished forged wheels on my Ram 2500 Cummins- China. The LPC-FF (Low pressure Cast, flow formed) OEM wheels on my C6 Z06, China. Gen 4 6UL's are being made in China. That will allow us to bring a higher tech wheel at a lower price than ever before. In the mean time, hats off to Jongbloed for taking the ball and running with it. I've been referring folks to FM for wheels for a bit now since the Gen 4's won't be here until probably late summer.

Keith@FM

iTrader: (1)

Finally, a rendering of the four-lug Miata version.

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

Makes sense.

Other wheels I have are Enkei Racing brand (RPF-1 on the Silver Miata and PF01 on the G8). They're Made in Japan and are really nice -- but don't come in the 15x9 size I wanted for my 95R clone.

Still wish we had trade policies that favored employment in the US and environmental policies that had a more balanced approach. It wasn't that long ago that US industry saved the world. But I digress.

Looking forward to 6ULs being available again.

emilio700

iTrader: (3)

The RP-F1 is not made in Japan

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

Really? Are they allowed to mislabel source (my RPF-1s are clearly cast with "Made in Japan" on the back of the hub)? Or has RPF-1 production been moved?

Doesn't really matter though. RPF-1s don't fit big brakes and only come in 15x7.

emilio700

iTrader: (3)

Ah, my bad. There is an Enkei cast FF wheel that was made by a factory in Taiwan that I was talking to at one point. Assumed it was the RP-F1. The RP-F1 is actually gravity cast then the outer is roll formed. Probably the only large scale produced aftermarket wheel with that unusual manufacturing process. Virtually every cast wheel that is flow formed whether OEM or aftermarket is low pressure cast, not gravity cast.

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

Curious, will Gen 4 6ULs be FF? Seems like good technology. I've hit some really nasty potholes with the PF01s on my "even heavier than a Corvette" G8 and come out unscathed.

ftjandra

iTrader: (6)

On Emilio's website it says that the Gen 4 6UL's will feature a rotary forged outer rim, which I think is the same as flow formed.

--Ferdi

MattNA8

I don't suppose that free shipping offer extends to NZ :P?

Cheers,
-Matt

Keith@FM

iTrader: (1)

I'm afraid it doesn't - UPS considers that to be international, unfortunately.

thasac

iTrader: (3)

Huh ... I imagined the bolting points to be further inboard, i.e., not mucking up the spoke design to the degree the rendering suggests.

As an industrial designer I find myself cringing a bit. This said, as a miata enthusiast, I still applaud Flyin' for sourcing an affordable and robust wheel for the performance minded crowd. Market competition isn't a bad thing.

Now if only Emillio would start pumping out more wheel sets, the used sets wouldn't hold their value so well.

-Zach

Keith@FM

iTrader: (1)

Well, we considered moving the bolting points further inboard. But that would have required new hubs and brake rotors, which we figured was a bit much to ask for most people. So we stuck with the usual 4x100 bolt pattern.

ctdrftna

iTrader: (1)

I think what he's getting at, is that the lug hole is placed very close to the edge. I noticed this too,and wondered if this is a possible failure point. I already placed my order so i hope that this was thought through and my investment is safe in the hands of the FM folks.

thasac

iTrader: (3)

Eh, I wasn't trying to create fear or concerns around the design. I can only assume the manufacturer does a fair bit of structural and moldflow analysis.

For me, it's merely an aesthetic compromise. It's apparent the wheel was not designed for a 4x bolt pattern. Most won't care, but as a designer I spend much of my day making engineering/manufacturing constraints look resolved ... so when it is apparent something was designed for different constraints, well, it niggles me a bit.

Doesn't mean I wouldn't buy a set for track rubber.

Keith@FM

iTrader: (1)

Jongbloed has been making high-end racing wheels for three decades. It's fair to say they have a pretty good idea what they're doing.

TorqueZombie

iTrader: (6)

That's actually the only real complaint I have about them. Aesthetics aren't am end all by any means. Pattern just doesn't flow. Also doesn't matter really for track. Would still buy.

hornetball

iTrader: (4)

Jongbloed is also one of the main wheel suppliers for SM. This is basically the SM wheel with more width and less weight because of the flow-formed rim. Nothing to worry about here. Did buy.

paNX2K&SE-R

iTrader: (8)

Ok the 4x100 render matches the nice concave spoke style and dish of the 5x130 render in the first post so based on that info I pulled the trigger.