Wheels-Forged one piece or three piece cast/forged?

[bretcopsey]

I'm still trying to decide on a set of wheels. I want 17x9.5 and 17x13 with a spoked design, for less than $2k.

Would you go with a one piece forged billet design or a three piece design using forged hoops and a cast center? I want the centers powder coated. I am aware of two companies that will fall into this category Budnik and Compomotive.

I doubt I will wever see a track, so street use only. Thoughts?

[Jagarang]

I don't think you'll be able to get the Budnik's with a "fat lip" profile in a 13in wheel? I may be wrong, mine were 18x12 and they were not available in a "fat lip" configuration. They use two standard profile loop halves welded together to get the 12", thereby necessitating a standard esternal profile. It's been a while since I got mine, so maybe Budnik has now started offering the wider wheels with the "fat lip".

Three piece wheels are very sporty, repairable. usually more expensive, and maybe lighter? I'm not sure on the lighter part, but I'm sure someone else will chime in. I'm not sure there are many drawbacks to 3-piece wheels, as long as you can get them in a style your happy with.

Anybody know of drawbacks to a 3-piece? I'm curious.

[nvawgn]

i like the hammers

[DJW32]

I really like the hammers

[D Rock]

Budniks as well here, they look much better.

[rocketman]

if you are having any horsepower at all,go 1 piece,have seen high hp spin 2 and 3 piece wheels apart.

[baz67]

if you are having any horsepower at all,go 1 piece,have seen high hp spin 2 and 3 piece wheels apart.

Could you justify that? Because I would bet it is a lack of maintaince issure and not a design issue. I wonder if this is too much horsepower for those three piece wheels.

[rocketman]

a 3 piece drag wheel and a 3 piece forged/cast wheel is not the same,i ran a 3 pc wheel on my pro mod with no problems,but spun the center out of a billet forged wheel on the street.

[USAZR1]

if you are having any horsepower at all,go 1 piece,have seen high hp spin 2 and 3 piece wheels apart.

Not sure I believe this. I've seen too many high-HP(750-1000) cars run three piece wheels w/o problems.

[nvawgn]

sorry i have to ask but those cars look like so much fun to drive, they must be a handful. what's it feel like to drive a pro-mod?

a 3 piece drag wheel and a 3 piece forged/cast wheel is not the same,i ran a 3 pc wheel on my pro mod with no problems,but spun the center out of a billet forged wheel on the street.

[rocketman]

Not sure I believe this. I've seen too many high-HP(750-1000) cars run three piece wheels w/o problems.

well i have have just had a bad pair,but i know it can happen.

[bretcopsey]

Thanks for the responses so far guys! I appreciate the feedback! So am I understanding the general consensus would be to not go with three piece wheels that have cast centers and there is some debate on the strength of three piece with forged centers (which to my knowledge includes such brands as Fikse, HRE etc that are way out of my budget anyway.)

Even the price I was quoted for the Hammers from DSE was a little high for my liking, about $2350 for standard rims, extra $1600 for Fat Lip due to the width.

Maybe I'll have to reconsider stepping up to 18's to get a style I like from CCW. The only thing they offer in 17's is the Classic, and no offense to anyone, but I don't care much for them.

I appreciate the non-heated debate that has come from this thus far!

[rocketman]

sorry i have to ask but those cars look like so much fun to drive, they must be a handful. what's it feel like to drive a pro-mod?

6 seconds of pure adrenline rush.they do so much in 1320 ft,yu really don't do alot of driving, you aim and point,if its get's out of shape you just shut it off.there's no saving it,and when you hit the wall with one at 190+ it hurts.

[Travis B]

budnik does make a 12in or 13in wide in a fat lip...we have a set

[Jagarang]

budnik does make a 12in or 13in wide in a fat lip...we have a set

I wish they'd had back when I ordered my wheels. I prefer the fat lip profile.

[Travis B]

I wish they'd had back when I ordered my wheels. I prefer the fat lip profile.

ya I don't think they have had that option for very long...they do look much better...

[ProStreet R/T]

CCW Classics fall right into that group and you will never hurt them.

Oh and if $$$ is tight keep an eye on ebay, they come up from time to time for killer prices.

If you want silly light look into the bogart street wheels.

[nvawgn]

i want to give it a go someday, i'm just waiting for someone to offer me their keys and a get out of jail card free if i crash and burn

6 seconds of pure adrenline rush.they do so much in 1320 ft,yu really don't do alot of driving, you aim and point,if its get's out of shape you just shut it off.there's no saving it,and when you hit the wall with one at 190+ it hurts.