Aftermarket Rim Durability

BigShow1960 · 03-28-2019, 11:15 PM

I'm fairly new to driving road courses, a few years now. Last year I bought my first set of dedicated track rims, specifically 19 inch flow forged rims. I hit the curbing pretty hard at Bondurant about a half year ago, bent the right front rim so badly that it was rubbing and had to be replaced. Not surprisingly the right rear was also bent, but was repairable. I was a little surprised to learn that the left hand wheels were also bent.

So, one new rim and three repaired rims later I ran on Chuckwalla with no issues. Then this month I'm back at Bondurant, I was careful to stay off of the curbs. On the way back from Bondurant the car was riding like the rims were bent again. Both front wheels, the new one and the repaired one, are bent badly. Both rears are bent but not as bad. I haven't even worn out one set of tires on these wheels.

Are light weight flowform wheel not suitable for track duty, are they that delicate, am I just unlucky, or a really bad driver?

94boosted · 03-29-2019, 12:08 AM

What brand of wheels?

red6.2 · 03-29-2019, 12:46 AM

shouldve bought oem 1le wheels. you get what you pay for

BigShow1960 · 03-29-2019, 12:50 AM

I'm not going to bash the aftermarket wheel brand. Yes, if I would have known I would never have purchased aftermarkets. If your going to track a heavy-Camaro and don't want to repair rims all of the time, stick with the OEMs.

Glen e · 03-29-2019, 12:53 AM

Rediculous generalizing......an "aftermarket" Forgeline will run rings around a heavy OEM rim in all respects...

red6.2 · 03-29-2019, 06:11 AM

Bigshow, not trying to sound mean but there is a reason why gm release certain packages for their vechicles. Get out to the track and ask around about people setups. You live and learn. Asking around is the best advice I can give someone. Glen is also right. Cheers and FYi I’ve been tracking with my stock 2ss cast wheels for 2 years now��

TheRealJA105 · 03-29-2019, 09:50 AM

No need to hide the brand, it's easy to find from your previous posts.

TrackClub · 03-29-2019, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigShow1960

I'm not going to bash the aftermarket wheel brand. Yes, if I would have known I would never have purchased aftermarkets. If your going to track a heavy-Camaro and don't want to repair rims all of the time, stick with the OEMs.

Not all aftermarket rims are made equally. No matter what the manufacturer may claim in terms of technology used. Seems most fave aftermarket rim for track rats is Apex. Zero negative feedback. Affordable and strong.
Many threads here on this subject and folks to confirm their longevity with. Cheers!

BigShow1960 · 03-29-2019, 10:32 AM

Yes, definitely live and learn. Found out by posting on the NASA FB page that another 1LE owner had the same problem with after market wheels.

TrackClub · 03-29-2019, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigShow1960

Yes, definitely live and learn. Found out by posting on the NASA FB page that another 1LE owner had the same problem with after market wheels.

Not surprised. Yet I'd say it is not a good idea to simply generalize the issue, as some aftermarket rims are junk, but some are not at all and hold up to track duty very well indeed - as intended.

BigShow1960 · 03-29-2019, 10:48 AM

Yes, you can look at my posts and figure it out, I'm just not going to be that overt.

JRL1LE · 03-29-2019, 10:56 AM

My friend bent 2 of those exact same wheels going over curbs, I've run the same track/curbs numerous times on SS 1LE wheels, no issues.

RUQWIKR · 03-29-2019, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glen e

Rediculous generalizing......an "aftermarket" Forgeline will run rings around a heavy OEM rim in all respects...

Not in durability.

kropscamaro16 · 03-29-2019, 12:10 PM

i have hre flowforms on my car and i use to daily it and race on weekend and no issues here 1 full track day plenty on street use and plenty of auto x days

so what brand were they? lol i wanna know

03-28-2019, 11:15 PM	#1
BigShow1960 BigShow Drives: 2017 1 Camaro + Chevy Avalanche Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tucson Posts: 335	Aftermarket Rim Durability I'm fairly new to driving road courses, a few years now. Last year I bought my first set of dedicated track rims, specifically 19 inch flow forged rims. I hit the curbing pretty hard at Bondurant about a half year ago, bent the right front rim so badly that it was rubbing and had to be replaced. Not surprisingly the right rear was also bent, but was repairable. I was a little surprised to learn that the left hand wheels were also bent. So, one new rim and three repaired rims later I ran on Chuckwalla with no issues. Then this month I'm back at Bondurant, I was careful to stay off of the curbs. On the way back from Bondurant the car was riding like the rims were bent again. Both front wheels, the new one and the repaired one, are bent badly. Both rears are bent but not as bad. I haven't even worn out one set of tires on these wheels. Are light weight flowform wheel not suitable for track duty, are they that delicate, am I just unlucky, or a really bad driver?

03-29-2019, 12:08 AM	#2
94boosted Drives: ‘17 1LE, ‘17 BMW 340, ‘18 F-150 Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 238	What brand of wheels? __________________ 2017 - SS 1LE 2015 - 2SS, RS, NPP, 1LE - Sold

03-29-2019, 12:53 AM	#5
Glen e Retired from Car mfrs.... Drives: 2LT RS/HR-V Join Date: May 2013 Location: /Fort Lauderdale Posts: 10,044	Rediculous generalizing......an "aftermarket" Forgeline will run rings around a heavy OEM rim in all respects... __________________ Glen CLICK HERE for detailing a new car: detailing for non detailers CLICK HERE for how to rinseless CLICK HERE for EASY wheel sealant

03-29-2019, 12:10 PM	#14
kropscamaro16 Drives: 2016 1ss camaro Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 909 Posts: 10,130	i have hre flowforms on my car and i use to daily it and race on weekend and no issues here 1 full track day plenty on street use and plenty of auto x days so what brand were they? lol i wanna know __________________ 16 1SS NIGHTFALL GRAY METALLIC WITH NPP #BECAUSERACECAR #SAVETHEMANUALS

03-29-2019, 12:46 AM	#3
red6.2 Drives: 2010 camaro Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Colorado Posts: 221	shouldve bought oem 1le wheels. you get what you pay for

03-29-2019, 12:50 AM	#4
BigShow1960 BigShow Drives: 2017 1 Camaro + Chevy Avalanche Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tucson Posts: 335	I'm not going to bash the aftermarket wheel brand. Yes, if I would have known I would never have purchased aftermarkets. If your going to track a heavy-Camaro and don't want to repair rims all of the time, stick with the OEMs.

03-29-2019, 06:11 AM	#6
red6.2 Drives: 2010 camaro Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Colorado Posts: 221	Bigshow, not trying to sound mean but there is a reason why gm release certain packages for their vechicles. Get out to the track and ask around about people setups. You live and learn. Asking around is the best advice I can give someone. Glen is also right. Cheers and FYi I’ve been tracking with my stock 2ss cast wheels for 2 years now��

03-29-2019, 09:50 AM	#7
TheRealJA105 Drives: 2013 C6Z06 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: PA Posts: 1,577	No need to hide the brand, it's easy to find from your previous posts.

03-29-2019, 10:32 AM	#9
BigShow1960 BigShow Drives: 2017 1 Camaro + Chevy Avalanche Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tucson Posts: 335	Yes, definitely live and learn. Found out by posting on the NASA FB page that another 1LE owner had the same problem with after market wheels.

03-29-2019, 10:48 AM	#11
BigShow1960 BigShow Drives: 2017 1 Camaro + Chevy Avalanche Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tucson Posts: 335	Yes, you can look at my posts and figure it out, I'm just not going to be that overt.

03-29-2019, 10:56 AM	#12
JRL1LE Drives: 2017 SS 1LE Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: San Ramon, Ca Posts: 550	My friend bent 2 of those exact same wheels going over curbs, I've run the same track/curbs numerous times on SS 1LE wheels, no issues.

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