WHEEL GROUP BUY Interest Poll - 949 Racing 6UL 4x108 Bolt Pattern

[OffTheWall503]

That's correct, anymore would just be cushion in case some back out.

 

[MS67]

Gotcha. Well, I definitely want 15x8. As far as offset, I was leaning towards +42 because my goal is to run 225s without rubbing. I cancelled my 16x8 +38 Slipstream order for that reason.

 

[jeffreylyon]

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but this is what I got back from them when I asked about 17" on 4x108:

"We have no plans for a 15" 108 pattern wheel. It would require an entirely new casting tool, very large production run (300+) or they would be expensive. We do have plans for 17 inch 4&5 lug 108 pattern. There is currently no ETA or additional information being made public yet. Just to make it easy, you don't need to email us every few weeks to ask We are in the business of selling wheels. When we have solid information we will make it very public!"

Maybe there's some internal miscommunication?

 

[OffTheWall503]

I was told that also but that they would do a special run of 4x108 wheels for us if we could get 100 approved.

I think they think people are put off by the price.

 

[jeffreylyon]

I think they think people are put off by the price.

If you talk to the SM and Miata SSM guys they'll tell you that you can't find a better wheel than a 6UL for the price, and the SM guys know where every microsecond of advantage can be found.

 

[OffTheWall503]

No doubt, I think they meant that since these wheels are a custom batch, they aren't as cheap as the options for the Miatas (around $150 each).

 

[eleven]

I'll never understand needing "new tooling"?? The lug holes are MACHINED in to the wheel. It's a computer...type in 108mm instead of 100mm...how is this so hard????

 

[OffTheWall503]

That's what they told me as well. Who knows, I won't question it. I'm just glad they're giving us the opportunity. The wait will be well worth it and we'll have something no one else would have.

If it comes down to, I may even buy two sets and sell the second one.

 

[OffTheWall503]

19 voters total, we are getting closer. The more we have after 25, the more we can negotiate pricing.

 

[MS67]

I'll never understand needing "new tooling"?? The lug holes are MACHINED in to the wheel. It's a computer...type in 108mm instead of 100mm...how is this so hard????

That probably translates to "we need to fulfill a certain number of orders to fill a container from China" but I could see it making sense if a certain type of jig was used to drill the holes.

 

[OffTheWall503]

That's what I was thinking. If you are making thousands of wheels in the same size, they sure as hell make sure they are getting their moneys worth to make modifications in the assembly process.

 

[OffTheWall503]

Confirmed we were going with 15x8 +36 with 949 Racing. Specified that Tungsten seems to be the preferred color and they came back with this:

The first step is to talk to our engineers and finalize wheel specifications. Then we can ascertain a lead time, final price, etc. I would recommend beryllium as the single color choice.

Sales
949 Racing - Supermiata
20601 Canada Rd suite A
Lake Forest, CA 92630
www.949racing.com
P: 949-716-3111
F: 949-716-9694

I think Beryllium is a great option but let me know what you guys prefer. I don't know if that means we can't have Tungsten, but this is what they've recommended.

 

[eleven]

That probably translates to "we need to fulfill a certain number of orders to fill a container from China" but I could see it making sense if a certain type of jig was used to drill the holes.

Agreed on the container. Otherwise they either cannot get a contract for a run of wheels or that 108mm contract is expensive because of the lower number of wheels in the run. No special "jig", it's a CNC machine.

 

[Corrosion]

There maybe custom fixtures needed for work holding involving the bolt pattern. I'm not sure about the manufacturing process surrounding these wheels... But work holding can be very expensive and is a huge part of cnc cost!

If it was as easy as just a program change and all the work holding from their present line of wheels could be reused I can imagine that 949 would have offered this as an option much sooner.

But who know, I just want light wheels with out degrading the structural integrity of my hubs. Too many damn pot holes in my city.

 

[OffTheWall503]

Would you be in for a set? [MENTION=5030]Corrosion[/MENTION]

 

[Corrosion]

I thought I already was down

 

[OffTheWall503]

Added to the list!

If you voted and I haven't added your name let me know. Looks like we're 9 people short on the list compared to people who have voted.

 

[RAAMaudio]

New tooling could be meant to mean new molds which are very expensive to make. Though moving the holes out 4mm per each hole the design of the flange mating surface might not support it with the current mold or the current mold has the recesses machined in so the hole area is not in the right location which requires a mold change, or both!

I have talked with Emilio, owner of 949 a few times, great guy, I would trust what he has to say about this.

( I could probably write this a bit better but spent another 110 degree day working on the car and cleaning up the space I worked in as preparing to get back on the road.)

 

[GAbOS]

Container shipping is stupid cheap compared to everything else, so no price hike there. As is drilling blanks that you already have in stock. The issue is two fold.

1. Wheels are a very important piece of the whole vehicle. A lot will argue that it's the most important as it's the only thing connecting with the road with the tires of course. Unsprung weight! Drilling holes into 'blanks' requires precision for consistent strength per unit. Research or passed down knowledge that would add to 'required equipment' in order to do such a thing by the factory, adding cost. The factory will not take any chances of their product being called shit because a Shop-X drilled the holes between spokes and an obvious weak point. Generalizing.

2. These are Shop-X's we are dealing with here and they would have to sit on the overhead when they have shit loads of it as it is. It's very difficult to be a 'supplier' these days in America. They must watch their inventory very carefully.

 

[BronxBomber]

Add me. I was going to convert to 4x100 solely for the purpose of getting a set of Tungsten in 17x8. I'm not a big fan of the little wheel look, but put me on the list for 15x8 et +36 in Tungsten. Thank you