Gear
Forgeline ZX3-R Competition Wheel
Forgeline began manufacturing wheels for racecars more than 15 years ago. Since the founders were racers themselves, they were able to draw on experience gained at the track. Today, Forgeline wheels are used in Grand Am, ALMS and SCCA, as well as virtually every amateur sports car series in the US, including many championship-winning teams such as Banner Racing, LG Motor Sports, Kelly Moss Motorsports, Viper Speed Racing, Saleen Motorsports, TC Kline and Peter Farrel, to name a few.
Forgeline's strength and durability testing begins at the initial stages, using advanced computer stress analysis to test each new design under a simulated load and optimize it before machining ever begins. The finished products are tested beyond SAE standards and real-life racing variables are used for test criteria. Of course, track testing is also used, as it's the ultimate test of any performance product.
For an optimum strength-to-weight ratio, Forgeline starts with heat-treated 6061 T6 aluminum, which is 40 percent stronger than cast aluminum. The forging process aligns the grain structure, reduces porosity and increases uniformity in the material, increasing the strength-to-weight ratio consistently. Wheel centers are created using a 6000-ton hydraulic press, which stamps the wheel center into its general shape. It is then CNC-machined to create the specific design style while unnecessary material is removed to further reduce weight.
Forgeline's newest competition wheel, the ZX3-R, is an excellent example of the company's design evolution and technology. The ZX3-R is designed for race use, so it has to be strong enough to endure several seasons. Its 10-spoke design harks back to the company's original SX3-R wheel. The ZX3-R is built with true forged 6061 T6 centers, 6061 T6 spun rim halves and titanium fasteners. It also features a powder-coated center finish with a polished lip. The item is three pounds lighter than the company's standard three-piece wheels due to the additional machining of excess material. Strength, however, is never sacrificed for weight savings. Each spoke is tapered 10 degrees and military-spec lightweight jet nuts are utilized to reduce weight at the most critical point-the wheel's perimeter.
Since each wheel is built to order, Forgeline can offer special features like custom offsets, center locking hubs and a choice of finishes. The company can also ensure brake caliper clearance through its relationships with the major performance brake manufacturers. Each Forgeline wheel is hand-assembled, torqued and inspected before shipping. -Doug Neilson