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This is 2 pages in MS word, so click the post below for the Cliff Notes version. Well, it kinda all started when I bought new tires back in summer of 2002. I got in on the AVS Intermediate closeout prices, but, due to my low funds and lack of knowledge of how traction hungry Stage III+ TT’s are, I selected the 235/40/17 instead of the 255/40/17. Big mistake #1. Learn from my mistakes, wider is better. So after driving on those for a while, I realized I needed wider rears. So I started looking at new wheels. I have a general mechanical engineering knowledge of how materials work, manufacturing processes and such. But I dug deeper to understand what makes a quality wheel…blah blah blah (I’m getting wordy because the internet is down at work and I am writing this in MS Word). I decided I wanted a forged wheel. Then I looked at the prices of forged wheels. Yeah, can you say sticker shock? HRE’s for $4,500 to $5,500, Fikse’s in the same range. Kinesis? Forget it. I found a company called iForged, who offered me a set for $2200, so I asked what gives? Turns out they could sell wheels of the same materials, same manufacturing process, but different quality control (that’s the kicker) for less because they are new and not a recognized name. I searched over at Audiworld forums and discovered many members having issues with odd vibrations, even after multiple balancings, not to mention quoted lead times of 3-4 weeks ending up to be 2-3 months. I decided to shy away from iForged. I have since heard they have implemented new quality control processes, and have since raised their prices slightly. So I heard about Zo’s friend’s friend with the RX-7 who flipped on some back roads. I noticed he had SSR Integrals, another one of my favorite wheels. I contacted him about them and ended up perusing the classifieds at RX7club.com where I found these beautiful O.Z. Mito Modulars. I loved them the second I saw them. Clean, classic lines, 3 piece design, O.Z. quality. I contacted the guy, worked out a deal, bought them based on a few pictures and a couple of centerbore questions posted here. Not once did I ask about off set. Big Mistake #2. The most important question you can ask when purchasing wheels is “will this off set work for my car?” Learn from my mistakes, but search first :). So knowing I had new wheels on their way to me, I sold my Cobras. I got full asking price plus shipping and pay pal fees, so I was happy. But I wouldn’t be happy for long. Big Mistake #3. Don’t leave one vine before you grab on to the other or else you’ll be f$%#ed. So I bought tires to fit my new wheels. I called Luke and ordered some Goodyear Eagle F1-GS-D3’s. 285/40/17 and 255/45/17. No misprint. I thought the thicker side wall would be a nice compromise between crisp turn in and cushy stock ride. Mistake #4. Ask Luke for tire size advice, and listen. Learn from my mistakes. Turns out the tires were just too tall, plus the fact that the front wheels required a 5 mm spacer to fit, so my Mito Modulars needed some help. I dismounted my tires, and was able to return them to tirerack, (thanks again Luke) because I had never driven on them. I couldn’t even lower the car off the jack. So I got pissed. I called O.Z. America to order new wheel halves to change the offset. Turns out the cost to change the off set was more than what I had paid for each individual wheel. Shit. So I was planning on ordering some hubcenteric spacers, because those were the kind Luke recommended (I’m listening to my own advice). Then somehow I got talked into purchasing a set of Superleggera III wheels. I got a decent deal, ordered them and had them shipped to me. They were shipped to the house next door, and the guy obviously refused, so UPS had to redeliver. Mind you I already ordered Bridgestone Potenza S-O3’s and have them in my garage, taking up space, along with my 6 Mito Modulars which don’t fit. So I get them the next day. I open the box, and a glow hits me in the face, and I, in turn, smile. Beautiful wheels, amazing construction. They are a forged, 3-piece wheel. In the centers I can see O.Z., Italy, Forged and 19” stamped into the center of the wheel. Pig F#$%ing son of a b!tch!!!. They sent me 19’s instead of 18’s. So now I had to wait 2 weeks for the centers to arrive from Italy so they can make my 18’s and ship them to me. I try selling the 19’s, because they only charged me for 18’s so I was trying to capitalize on their mistake. No love. So I borrow a local Z’er friend’s stockers for a while longer. I had already sold my Cobra’s to a happy Ranger owner in Maryland. Thanks again John, I really appreciate it. Then I get my 18’s in and send back my 19’s. All is Kosher. Then, the day before I am supposed to get my tires and wheels back from the mounting shop, my alternator dies. When it rains it pours. So, I order up a new one from my buddy Coz, get it in 2 days (what a guy). I change it out that weekend, and in the process, my ground wire falls off. Corroded all to shit. I called Coz, and it turns out that is part of the main grounding harness which touches 4 or more points on the chassis. Great, requires pulling the motor to replace. So I decided to fix it this winter, but I needed an interm fix. Because I wasn’t sure if it was two 10 gauge wires or one 4 gauge which had split (that’s how bad it looked), I ordered the connector from Z1. Got it promptly, thanks guys, and completed the install last night. After some QD contact cleaner, Dremel wire brush, Dremel sanding drum and some hand rolling, the corrosion comes off. What a bitch, I couldn’t solder the wires together because there was no room to hold and heat, so I had to go with butt splices. Sounds easy, but crimping 2 sets of wires in close quarters is a bitch, you can get the firs one easy, but then try doing the second with out hitting the first! I finally finished everything at 1:30 this morning, with solder, grease and power steering fluid all over my face and hair, with bug bites all over to boot. What a fantastic night. So this morning, I reconnected the battery, and fired her up. No squeals, 14.00 volts, I’m a happy Z’er! Pulled her out of the garage at 5:30, washed and waxed her, took these pics and headed into work. That normally mundane drive was pure ecstasy this morning. New pimpin wheels, beautiful day; almost as good as sex. So, here is the main reason you clicked this post, enjoy: 
One last piece of advice. If you have questions about wheel fitiment: search. Chances are it has been asked before. Then, after searching, and looking at the results, ask if you can’t find anything. Things like brake package fitiment, ask Luke. Very knowledgeable guy. I can tell you that these wheels fit perfectly. They are a 18x8.5, +33mm off set, and 18x10, at a +40 off set.
In the end of this 10 week fiasco, I would like to thank Luke at tirerack.com, Coz at Concept Z Performance, and John at Z1 Motorsports. John personally dug through many cars in the Georgia heat to get me the connector I needed. That’s customer service. I’d also like to thank John P for letting me borrow his stockers for a month, instead of the planned week. Fcuk Dave N and Cap927. Just kidding guys, but you do suck :). One question: How long do S-O3’s take to break in?
"...Downpipes own. They own everything...anything...all there ever was and will be...they should be stock on all cars. Screw the environment, emissions, noise! I love them...I shall name my first-born after them with glee..." - SeedyRom 05:13:20 10/03/02 "Ricers are idiots" - RezidentEvil "It's like if my girl desides to go on a weekend orgy because she needs to get it out of her F*&%$ing system, now would I want her back? I hope she had a great time. Because at that point I'll trade her in." - Cap927 09:41:06 12/13/02 “I don't haul around stuff in the Z. I have a daily driver for that! :) Besides my shotgun could still fit snugly behind my seat!” - dragonballz 5/23/2003 "a hair brush does make a nice didlo, but it fixes your hair even better" -Nixit 6/2/2003 |
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