Any Interest In Strong ZHP Replicas that Weigh Around 20lbs Each?

[zhp43867]

I talked to Alan at Modbargains a bit ago about making a rotary forged ZHP replica in 18", similar to the Sportline CS 16 CSL replicas in 18". Their construction would be similar to that of the Apex ARC-8 18", which should make them around as strong as our stock wheels- which are actually quite strong.

The 18x8.5" CSL rep weighs 19.8lbs, the 18x9.5" version weighs 19.6lbs. I think the zhp replicas would be similar in weight- maybe a bit heavier. We'd need 20-30 orders, which is steep, but this seems like it could be a great opportunity. Any interest? Keep the stock look and drop 7-8lbs per wheel!

Here are the Modbargains CSL Replicas just as an example:

http://www.modbargains.com/Sportline-CS16-CSL-Style-Wheels-BMW.htm

Lower weight will give you:
- Much better throttle response
- Better gas mileage
- More responsive handling, quicker braking
- A smoother ride
- Crisper turn in
- The feel of more horsepower

A quote from the Pelican Parts Forum:



Track results tend to look better than paper calculations, but something like .5 hp per lb doesn't seem too far off for a 3000 lb 300 hp car. Here is a link to the thread, and the body of the main post.

http://www.rx8club.com/archive/index.php/t-3681.html

Quick summary. Some 6 owners have done back to back comparisons on the track comparing 18x8 rx8 rims (with stock tires), vs 16x8 rx7 rims (14 lbs less a corner) with similar diameter tires...and have dropped as much as 0.5 off their 1/4 time. In almost all the situations, the rx7 wheels were usually in a condition which wasn't favorable for good results, but regardless, a significantly acceleration difference was noted.

The performance benefits from reducing unsprung weight and rotational inertia are far greater then they seem on paper. This is of course completely ignoring the additional benefits to braking and handling which results from dropping unsprung weight.


Here is some info on the benefits of reducing unsprung weight:

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=98

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/effects-of-upsized-wheels-and-tires-tested

The amount wheel weight affects straight line performance is the most debatable of the benefits, however there are certainly no downsides!

[Newjack]

I was talking to my dad about lighter weight wheels. I said I didn't even think about how much they weigh, and how it would give me a performance boost to shed the weight. He said sure it would help a little bit, but those extra spokes and lbs provide strength. They don't bend or break as easy when hitting potholes or other things.

TL;DR - Will these new wheels have the same strength and integrity as the lighter ones? (I think these lighter wheels are a good idea I'm just curious.)

[danewilson77]

Amem. You're looking at about a 32lb saving, in rotational mass, with these.

I said "about" BP.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[az3579]

I said "about" BP.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

Huh?? I didn't say anything...


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[kayger12]

Amem. You're looking at about a 32lb saving, in rotational mass, with these.

I said "about" BP.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

:rofl


Huh?? I didn't say anything...


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That was preemptive, BP.

[kayger12]

...and I'm interested in these.

[zhpnsnv]

17s for winter use would be interesting.

[Nomar06]

I think I would be interested depending on the pricing. Def need to replace the curbed wheels eventually.

[az3579]

That was preemptive, BP.

:shifty

[danewilson77]

:shifty

Hehe....

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[johnrando]

Possible interest here.

[Stu]

If I can sell my current wheels for these reps, I'm in. I bet I can get enough money for my rims and then buy these new lightweight ones for cheaper - probably make a profit in the end.

Also: staggered option? I wanna keep my tires :)

[cakM3]

interested to see if the offsets will work with our ZHPs. Not sure if ET35 will fit in the rear...

[danewilson77]

interested to see if the offsets will work with our ZHPs. Not sure if ET35 will fit in the rear...

I'm at 18x8, with effectively ET30 in the rear...with room. I think ET 35 will be fine....depending on width.

[BurghJR]

I'm def interested in these if they are of similar strength to the oem type 135 wheels. 2 of mine are curbed pretty severly and i'm looking to replace or refinish but, amazingly, all 4 are still laser-straight after 89k miles!

[zhp43867]

Alan told me not to get my hopes up, because there is no guarantee Sportline would do it even with 20-30 seriously interested people.

Alan has said:

-These wheels would be stronger than the stock wheels

I doubt they would be available in other diameters.

18x8.5" ET 35 will work with up to a 235/40 on your average zhp with slight negative camber. 255/35/18 is pushing it but it should work- you may need a minor fender roll or more camber.

Should I try and make a serious interest thread on zhpmafia and E46f?

[Hermes]

Interested... Just wondering if they would do 18x9? Offset TBD...

[Stu]

Eh, if they can't do 18/8.0 & 18/8.5 I won't be interested :/ I like my stock setup very much. I feel like if I have the ZHP package, I want to keep it as ZHP as possible, including the wheels. That's what I paid for - BMW engineering! :) If the wheels can be made lighter but still look perfectly stock, I definitely want them. But the function must be exactly the same too.

Yeah...I'm kinda picky like that :p

[zhp43867]

Eh, if they can't do 18/8.0 & 18/8.5 I won't be interested :/ I like my stock setup very much. I feel like if I have the ZHP package, I want to keep it as ZHP as possible, including the wheels. That's what I paid for - BMW engineering! :) If the wheels can be made lighter but still look perfectly stock, I definitely want them. But the function must be exactly the same too.

Yeah...I'm kinda picky like that :p

I get picky but that's a little bit absurd. The stock 225/255 stagger would still fit on this setup. They would sit a bit more flush with the fenders, but we're not talking stanceworks. BMW engineering is great, but remember that BMW had cost constraints when they made the car.

[johnrando]

Well, that, and they clearly used stagger for understeer. So while the car has great balance, to me that is a little limiting, and maybe a compensation for the masses. Going square would remedy that.

[zhp43867]

My coupe really doesn't understeer. I can provoke either understeer or oversteer with ease, and it's totally stock. My sedan, with a Koni/Hotchkis/Eibach suspension doesn't understeer either.

FWIW trust me you will miss the 255s in the rear (due to the lack of LSD) if you drive hard.

[Katu]

Well, that, and they clearly used stagger for understeer. So while the car has great balance, to me that is a little limiting, and maybe a compensation for the masses. Going square would remedy that.

+1

[Crickett]

This sounds like a dream come true: less weight, OE look, same strength! Where are people seeing the (proposed) offsets, though? A square set of reps with offsets equivalent to the OE M135s with spacers would be perfect!

[kayger12]

I get picky but that's a little bit absurd. The stock 225/255 stagger would still fit on this setup. They would sit a bit more flush with the fenders, but we're not talking stanceworks. BMW engineering is great, but remember that BMW had cost constraints when they made the car.

I agree with Zell.

...and I dislike the word absurd.

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[rkneeshaw]

Anything ever come of this?

I love the style 135's, I just wish they were lightweight.

And I like my staggered setup.

[KevinC]

I dropped 2 lbs per corner by switching from PSS's to Conti DWs a few months ago. I had no idea they were lighter, but the difference was felt IMMEDIATELY, so much so that I went straight home and Googled the weight of both tries, and sure enough, 2 lbs less. That's not insignificant!

Years ago I put 12.8 lb forged BBS RG-F's on my Scirocco, replacing older BBS wheels that were around 19 lbs. Talk about a MAJOR transformation! Losing unsprung weight really is a big deal. It's a cryin' shame that the 135's are so heavy, given that they are a great-looking wheel and unique to the ZHP (here in the US at least).

[BMWCurves]

I dropped 2 lbs per corner by switching from PSS's to Conti DWs a few months ago. I had no idea they were lighter, but the difference was felt IMMEDIATELY, so much so that I went straight home and Googled the weight of both tries, and sure enough, 2 lbs less. That's not insignificant!

Years ago I put 12.8 lb forged BBS RG-F's on my Scirocco, replacing older BBS wheels that were around 19 lbs. Talk about a MAJOR transformation! Losing unsprung weight really is a big deal. It's a cryin' shame that the 135's are so heavy, given that they are a great-looking wheel and unique to the ZHP (here in the US at least).

+1

I felt the difference of unsprung weight first hand when my father switched out of stock wheels on his NA Miata to smaller diameter BBS wheels that cut the total weight per wheel and tire to around 25 lbs. It is night and day. Before a large bump could unsettle the car and you could catch it out of balance, but with the lighter wheels it never feels out of sorts. It just grips. It's the main reason I'm ready to switch over to Arc8's and my BMWP slotted rotors; cut some serious unsprung weight.

[rkneeshaw]

So is there any interest in reviving this?