Stage 1: All Season Tires on FL5

[apl360]

The dealer techs at my Acura dealer ruined two tires before they figured it out.



I feel quite confident claiming they are flow formed- but I don't have the energy to go and find validation for you. Someone on the Integra forums did this legwork and verified they are indeed flow-formed wheels made by Enkei. The Integra Type S at least, but I have little doubt the FL5 wheels would be any different.

That said, I've already bought two sets of forged aftermarket wheels and my OEM wheels are relegated to winter duty so YMMV on the value of this information.

That’s fair. Considering your status of being a “forged boi” this topic must mean squat to you

considering the fl5 and de5 wheels weigh virtually the same (I think fl5 wheels are like 0.3 pounds heavier?) and both made by enkie. Pretty sure if de5 wheels are flowformed so are fl5 wheels. For sure. I think I’m gonna try and call/email enkei. If I get a response I can dm U?

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[TypeRbuilder]

So if I’m reading the search information correctly, flow forming is kind of a hybrid process that’s cheaper than full forged but stronger than cast. So a forged wheel is still better.

 

[apl360]

So if I’m reading the search information correctly, flow forming is kind of a hybrid process that’s cheaper than full forged but stronger than cast. So a forged wheel is still better.

A forged wheel is way better. Much stronger and somehow still lighter. For sure

I just read on the Integra forums the wheels have the enkei MAT stamp on the back of the face. That kinda settles it. They’re definitely flow formed. I remember the MAT stamp from the EVO days

 

[TypeRbuilder]

I’m confused though as to why flow formed matters? I mean it’s better than cast, but definitely not forged. So why the big hoopla?

 

[apl360]

I’m confused though as to why flow formed matters? I mean it’s better than cast, but definitely not forged. So why the big hoopla?

I think it only matters in the following 2 points:

the stock wheels (according to Google) weigh anywhere between 25-26 pounds. It’s a 19x9.5” wheel. If not for it being flow formed this wheel would’ve easily been 29-30 pounds. Shedding that much weight by only addressing the barrel is impressive imo

also. A turbo 4 cylinder based off a civic that included flow formed wheels is pretty amazing because it’s rare to see that.

but that’s it. Cuz even the cheapest most Mickey Mouse forged 19x10” is probably gonna come in at 19-20 pounds. You know?

I was just genuinely curious if they were or not. They just seemed suspiciously light for casted wheels imo. Frankly, forged is the way to go. Currently saving up for the factory fl5 forged wheels myself. I wanna get them powder coated in that nice de5 copper wheel option color. I’m still maybe a year away from that

 

[optronix]

I’m confused though as to why flow formed matters? I mean it’s better than cast, but definitely not forged. So why the big hoopla?

It's not so much "hoopla" as it is a welcome surprise that an OEM wheel is flow-formed. There genuinely aren't many OEM wheels that deviate from being cast, and flow-formed is widely considered a superior manufacturing option than cast.

Forged wheels typically run at least 50+% higher cost than flow-formed, and there's reason for that. But cost can be prohibitive so flow-formed is a solid compromise.

 

[TypeRbuilder]

Ah. Yeah, it just seemed like everybody was so excited lol. Yeah, I get it. It’s a little bit better process, but for what these cars cost, they should be forged.

 

[TypeRbuilder]

I think it only matters in the following 2 points:

the stock wheels (according to Google) weigh anywhere between 25-26 pounds. It’s a 19x9.5” wheel. If not for it being flow formed this wheel would’ve easily been 29-30 pounds. Shedding that much weight by only addressing the barrel is impressive imo

also. A turbo 4 cylinder based off a civic that included flow formed wheels is pretty amazing because it’s rare to see that.

but that’s it. Cuz even the cheapest most Mickey Mouse forged 19x10” is probably gonna come in at 19-20 pounds. You know?

I was just genuinely curious if they were or not. They just seemed suspiciously light for casted wheels imo. Frankly, forged is the way to go. Currently saving up for the factory fl5 forged wheels myself. I wanna get them powder coated in that nice de5 copper wheel option color. I’m still maybe a year away from that

i’ll have to keep you posted on the 18” I’m doing. Because the 20s that I had weigh less than that that were on the TLX.

I think my 20“ x 10 forged wheel weighs somewhere around 24-25 pounds? Trying to find the photo that I took after I weighed them and I can’t lol it’s been a few years.

 

[apl360]

i’ll have to keep you posted on the 18” I’m doing. Because the 20s that I had weigh less than that that were on the TLX.

I think my 20“ x 10 forged wheel weighs somewhere around 24-25 pounds? Trying to find the photo that I took after I weighed them and I can’t lol it’s been a few years.

I mean, a 20” x 10” wheel is large! 24-25 pounds sounds excellent for that size. Frankly, I bet a casted wheel with those specs would probably be 33-35 pounds if not more.

mk7.5 GTI casted oem wheels were 18”x7.5 and they weighed about 28-29 pounds!

 

[TypeRbuilder]

So this thread went into the weeds lol but just a quick update…

vredestein hypertrac ultra high-performance all season tires are on the car in a 275/35-19.

i’ll have some comparison photos in a second here, but the car looks so much better! It literally alleviate the need for springs to lower it. Which is what I was hoping for because I’m getting old.

The tires have considerably more grip even though a 315 hp front wheel drive car is not something that you get much grip even in the dry lol but with the taller side wall, the right is noticeably more supple. And those tires are actually very, very quiet and smooth riding as I had them on the TLX as well.

Sunday, we will try its hand in the snow as we might get some here in Cleveland.

But 100% improvement and looks amazing! Photos coming soon

 

[optronix]

Ah. Yeah, it just seemed like everybody was so excited lol. Yeah, I get it. It’s a little bit better process, but for what these cars cost, they should be forged.

Eh, I don't think there's precedent for that. And technically there is an OEM option for forged wheels.

But as far as I'm aware, pretty much the only cars that come with forged wheels from the factory are reserved for literal supercars. Even for Porsches, you don't get forged wheels until you step up to GT3/Turbo territory (nope, not even the GT4- unless you count the GT4RS).

There's a handful out there like the FL5 that offer forged as an option but you pay extra for it, just like the FL5.

 

[TypeRbuilder]

 

[TypeRbuilder]

A little better comparison… Before above and after below

 

[FL5HondaGuy]

Now lower it - lol

 

[TypeRbuilder]

Now lower it - lol

ha. I don’t think so. I might when I get the 18s on it but it’s actually pretty nice for right now. I am going to do a 12 mm spacer though.

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