In the automotive aftermarket, a wide array of factors comes into play when it comes to making our machines perform at their best. When one thinks about wheels, the first images that may come to mind may be overblown, blinged-out abominations in chrome. However, if you are of the racing persuasion you take wheels more seriously.
Weight, and especially unsprung weight, are huge considerations when it comes to setting up a car. Multi-piece wheels are changing, and Billet Specialties is at the forefront of some of those developments.
We talked to Scott Sandoval about the company’s Concave Pro Touring line of wheels.
“We took a forging from our three-piece line, and utilized it as a two-piece wheel,” Sandoval says. “We took as much weight as we possibly could out of the center, we even recessed the bolt pads.”
Sandoval was proud of the weight savings Billet Specialties was able to accomplish through machining.
“An 18×10-inch wheel weighs about 21.5 pounds, which is insanely light,” he says.
The wheels feature a double-rolled barrel for strength, are 360-degree welded, and include a 6061-T6 aluminum center. Two concave profiles are available, according to Sandoval — a shallow, and a deep for front and rear applications.
“Compared to a three-piece wheel the price is less expensive, and is a better performing wheel than a three-piece as they have fasteners along the perimeter that adds to the unsprung weight,” Sandoval said. “If you are going to have a weight penalty on a wheel, weight on the outside of the wheel is the worst possible place.”
Look for the Concave Pro Touring wheels in several different different powdercoat colors and bolt patterns.