Someone brought up to me the idea that the Rota and Silverwind brands are much more well-built than the original ones because the original ones are made with less material making it lighter than the local ones which are made of pure alloy. err.. something like that. so it bottoms down to whether is it still advisable to buy the original? someone please shine the light  

I think there are some misconceptions in your post.

First of, I am only talking about Rota versus imported wheels.

Alloy used by Rota and most wheel makers around the world are the exact same A356 Heat treatable alloy.

Rota produces wheels via a gravity casting method and the quality, finish and strength is certainly comparable to the best gravity casted wheels made all over the world. In fact, I have seen JDM brands being sold in the Philippines at expensive prices to have originated at our plant. "nag round trip" na.

On the wheels we sell locally, we usually add a little more material on the rim section to suit our Philippine roads so your statement that they are more durable than imported ones available could be true. this is done by using a different machining program in the manufacturing process.

Of course, if you are talking about forged wheels, then it is a different ball game all together.

Example of casted wheel brands: Rota, Advan, 5 Zigen, Enkei, OZ, ATS, TSW etc...

Example of forged: Volk, BBS

Quote from: rota wheels wrx on December 13, 2004, 10:02:16 PM

Example of casted wheel brands: Rota, Advan, 5 Zigen, Enkei, OZ, ATS, TSW etc...

Example of forged: Volk, BBS

what's the difference between casted and forged?

the way the rims are made...

forged are made by not only pouring the metal into the mold but also applying pressure whick makes them lighter and stronger

Quote from: speedyfix on December 14, 2004, 10:33:17 AM
the way the rims are made...

forged are made by not only pouring the metal into the mold but also applying pressure whick makes them lighter and stronger

in other words mas siksik? parang pinanday hehe

If I may correct, 5zigen also has a Forged models such as the 5Zigen Becket FN-01R, weighing at around 10.5 lbs, it is one of the lightest in 5Zs lineup of wheels from 5Zigen Fuel to 5Zigen N1R-SP08.

IMO Rota  can hold its own against the Cast Wheel market, they have great designs and very affordable prices. if I were to get a cast wheel, i'd get a Rota.

Forged wheels are like another level in wheel manufacturing technology, using such process, there is no compromise between lightness and durability. You get both actually. That is because like what Speedy said, pressure is applied to molds unlike that of the usual cast technology.

There are processes involved in forging, in Rays Engineering's case (with the 37s), 1st forging process involves 5,000 kg per square/cm.

2nd process involves a slower 3,500 kg per square/cm.

The lip, also undergoes the the same treatment that of the 2nd process.

IMO, forged wheels are most ideal especially for street/race applications. That way tuners get lower unsprung weight, better handling/response, etc etc.

Rays even has an updated Seamless Forged technology which they claim is way better than other forging technologies now adapted by other wheel manufacturers in the US and JP itself.

After using my forged 15s, im finding it hard to go back to my 17s, cuz its really lighter, i get better fuel economy ( jst a little but still noticeable) better acceleration. Although the size may be an issue, forged wheels really feel lighter than of cast ones.

htH.

Id get a rota, the only problem is dami mo na kamukha sa kalye sa imported naman u pay the price of having one thats not as common.  

Mr Mic,
Is it true the 15" torques are out? Havent seen one yet, someone just told me Tnx

Yes the torque 15 is available in the market now.

Hi rota wheels wrx,

Any chance for Rota to come out with TOM's replicas, such as the Intercept?

i don't mean to bash pero sana rota can also come up with it's own original designs... the trend seems to be in copying the designs from spoon, mugen, work, racing hart, etc etc etc...

pangit din connotation when people ask ano rims mo... then the owner says "ah, fake yan na spoon" then it has rota sa centercap or somewhere else... parang pang "fake" lang yung rota.

i know it means good business since you can give people the look they want for less, pero IMO sayang din...

last original rim i remember from rota was the impact 5 spokes which came out when i was in high school. i remember malupit na malupit na auto mo nun kung naka ganun ka. hehe!

Rota wheels wrx,
torque 15s are in the market already?! haven't seen em yet.. what about the 16s?

Sana may prodrive na ROTA na! lahat sana ng wheels gayahin na ng ROTA para wala nang ligtas yung gsto maging uniqe. pinaka classic pa rin yung mga TE37's ng ROTA especially the white ones

hmm, interesting I'm planning to get my wheels changed but now I'm thinking about getting the 15s or the 16s but definitely not the 17s; it's only for a Civic anyway. I'm having doubts, what are the pros and cons of choosing the size? I'd rather go with the much easier ones to maintain ayoko naman maganda nga tignan pero lagi naman nayayari ung mags, I travel from Qc to Manila everyday and i guess there's really one heck of a track avoiding all those potholes on the road.

Quote from: speedyfix on December 14, 2004, 11:32:25 PM
i don't mean to bash pero sana rota can also come up with it's own original designs... the trend seems to be in copying the designs from spoon, mugen, work, racing hart, etc etc etc...

pangit din connotation when people ask ano rims mo... then the owner says "ah, fake yan na spoon" then it has rota sa centercap or somewhere else... parang pang "fake" lang yung rota.

i know it means good business since you can give people the look they want for less, pero IMO sayang din...

last original rim i remember from rota was the impact 5 spokes which came out when i was in high school. i remember malupit na malupit na auto mo nun kung naka ganun ka. hehe!

Correct. Considering how much of an impact Rota is making already in the US wheel Market.  

Ok lang may copy, but I wish Rota had more Original designs. Anyways other wheel manufacturers also have copies rin naman.

kawawa naman mga orig na gumagawa ng wheels...

but then again kung marunong ka talaga tumingin you will know if fake or not...

rota is known to be matibay and made for our streets.... that's a good thing cuz lubaklubak rin dito