need suggestions for lightweight forged 17x7 wheels
 

that don't cost a fortune. Motegi Traklite or Velox PG-5S would have been perfect but are unavailable (at least I can't find a set).

Kosei K4R is listed as 14lbs at tirerack.com so might be your lightest option. Enkei RPF1's are next lightest for the price

Are you familiar with the expression, "Pick two: performance, reliability, cost?" you're really not going to find a lightweight and forged wheel for cheap. You might find a lightweight wheel that's cast for reasonably cheap, but not forged. (And if they are forged, I'd be highly skeptical as to the quality).

Kosei's not forged. Googled them and saw a few pics of cracked and broken ones so not quite trusting the Kosei's with potholes

ssr type c-rs,had them on my ep3,well balanced and light-weight wheels that won't affect driveability.

but it did exist in the Traklite and PG-5s. Don't know how they actually compare to other forged wheels but I'm guessing they would be stronger than equivalent weight cast wheels

Hey what's up Cartman long taim no see! ;) Just saying hi lol. :D

WedsSport TC105n. 17x8+42 is 14.85lbs and $450. You're not going to find a fully forged wheel for less than $600, and most start around $700.

What he said mate. Forged are not cheap and lightweight cast are less durable overall. If I could find a cheap, forged, lightweight wheel I may have bought it by now ;)

I personally have never heard any reports of cracking and to search quite a bit find them after you posted about it. Seems most of the problems have been with the K1 model not the K4R and it also seems that their casting process has changed between the models. Can you point to a specific example of a K4R cracking, preferably with photos?

I am tossing up between the K4R and the Motegi Racing MR125 at the moment, with the decision likely to come down to style rather than weight or wheel width.

If you want Forged and lightweight, I would recommend getting Gram Lights or Volk wheels as a personal preference due mostly to style and quality. Not going to be cheap though...

volk is forged, gramlights is cast ^

TSW Interlagos are rotary forged and under 17lbs for the 17x7.5. Not super lightweight but lighter than stock and pretty inexpensive.

You may very well be right, it may have been K1's. There were pics but it was about a month ago when I first started thinking about new wheels so I don't have links. That's what got me to thinking that if I want light weight maybe cast was not the way to go.

some good suggestions but most don't come in 17x7. It matters because of autocross class rules. Trying to stay RTR/CS. As far as price I'm seeing around $450 as the minimum.

Here's a thought: A set of forged at the low end ($450ea) is $1800. A set of K4R is $800. Even if, against all odds and the cruelest of twists of fate, you had to replace an ENTIRE SET of K4R you're still ahead $

So the Enkei use MAT technology and O.Z. use HLT. Are these real technologies that truly strengthen their cast wheels or are they just typical marketing nonsense?

the ssr type c-rs i had on my ep3 where semi-solid forged,i will vouch for them again :thumbup:

I really like the look too. but $$$$$

The Kosei K4R is definitely the way to go for what you require and the cost is very reasonable. Go for it!

Centerline Storm wheels. If you go to centerline.com you can pick up a set for cheap. These are also lightweight and forged.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14632

National Champion Scion road racer Dan Gardner is having a custom set of wheels and suspension made im not sure pricing but the offset is custom and they will offer 17x8.5 and some 18" that they are still making.

truth - as more research has shown me

nope, not gonna do it. Called tirerack and they are plain low-end gravity cast. At only 14lbs I'm just not trusting them. Given that, they are over-priced.

So it came down to the Enkei RPF1 and O.Z. Alleggerita. RPF1, due to design and manufacturing process, has a load capacity of a little over 1500 lbs. That's comparable to some forged wheels. The Alleggerita's (low-pressure cast and shot peened) are rated a bit lower at a little over 1300 lbs but they are about $100 more.

In case anyone is interested, the Motegi Traklites have a load rating of 1200lbs and the Centerline Storms (rotary forged) have a load rating of 1299lbs.

Thanks for the input guys. My black RPF1's will be here Tuesday.

not to resurrect an older thread but why did you say no to the K4R's Gravity casting and then pick up the RPF1's which are also gravity cast? style alone? (simply curious)

I thought RPF1 in 7inch is not yet out?...

Yeah these are new casting technology refer to as flow foam casting versus the old type low pressure casting.

Lighter and stronger.

RPF1, Motegi and TC105n are all cast.

forged are a lot more money.

Cast doesn't mean it's not good. even thought its a few lbs lighter, but the effect will not be significant enough for street driving.

If u are a constant autocross and track guy, go with the lighter cast wheels such as wedssport tc105n and Enkei rpf1. Both are by reputable company that do test their wheels before production.

If money is not an issue. Go with the rays line up, such as ce28n, re30 and te37.

Typically forged wheels are twice the money for cast. Forged 17" should start around $2700 range.

RPF1's are not simply gravity cast as further research convinced me and as RavSpec explained. Also the load capacity of the RPF1's is definitely up there.

gravity cast < low pressure cast < flow formed < forged

were due at Tirerack in October but now pushed out to December

I got impatient about waiting for the 7" and thought I'd go with 7.5" and not worry about the autox classifications.

Then found out about the RPF1 Type II's in 17x7. Cancelled the 7.5's and ordered these instead. They weigh a little more at 16.2 pounds. More expensive but I like the look much better too. Gunmetal - sweet! Waiting on hub rings to get here so I can have them mounted.

Nobody had them in stock. BuyWheelsToday.com had them shipped direct from Enkei. Ordered on a Saturday and arrived on Tuesday. When I ordered them they said Enkei only had 8 available. So I guess now either 4 or 0 available?

Post up pics when you get them on. I was pretty set on getting these but ended up changing and ordering a set of Gram Lights 57xtreme in 17x7 +42 instead. I'd still like to see how the Type IIs look on the car!

ha, I was greatly temped by the 57xtremes! It was down to those two and decided to go with the Enkei's. Will post pics

57xtreme are a good choice as well.

i wish the K4 or Montegi came in a silver finish -- dam it.

Oooohh... I want to see pictures of both of these wheels on the car! I'm torn between these two. I want wheels that are very close to stock but lighter.

I'm also leaning toward the +42 offset, but how will this change to the stock wheel centerline effect the handling?

If you want forged and cheap, buy used. There will be some wear and tear but you didn't list aesthetics as a selection criteria. I found a set of 17x8 1pc forged wheels for $900 for the set. 13.8lbs ea with hub ring and valve. Two had flat spots which i fixed for $150 ea. that puts the final cost of each wheel at $300.