I recently signed up for an account on rx7club to hunt around this community for a set of stock rx7 rims. In the short time that I have been on this site and just the few interactions I have had with people here I have come to the realization that a lot of rx7 owners had no clue that there were two different rim desgins for the 3rd gen rx7. I know most of you guys probably really don't care as you have an aftermarket wheel setup but to the guys running the stock or getting ready to sell them here is some useful information. While doing some research on this rims I came across a good read. One of the authors of this article is a gentleman by the name of Dale Black. On page 54 of this artical there are pictures and a desrciption of the two different types of rims. Mid 93 Mazda decided to change manufactures of their rims due to the cracking tendencies that had become apparent. Enjoy: http://books.google.com/books?id=AUs...0black&f=false

 

I have been told by others that the reinforced wheels are stamped "50" on the back of the hub. Can anyone else confirm this?

-Austin

 

I have also heard this from a few people. That number refers to the offset. I am not sure if they stamped the earlier rims. So that may be an indicator. I would really just make a determination off of the way the inside of the rim looks. You can easily tell if the bell is a clear bell or it is inside of the square. Also you can just see the difference in the thickness of the spokes.

 

Welcome to 13 years ago...

http://www.fd3s.net/wheels.html#ORI

Also noted that it's never been confirmed from Mazda that the "other" rims are indeed reinforced. People have cracked them just like the originals. It's most likely just a change in manufacturer rather than Mazda intentionally trying to beef up the design.

 

I was amazed. Didn't Enkei make the wheels for at least part of the time? I do remember that my wheels say +50, but I would think they all do. Anyway, I will see if that pans out as an indicator, when I check to see if they are the early or late style.

 

Ya I read a bunch of things off that site as well. Even if they can not confirm it I would rather have the later pair. The difference is night and day when you look at the rim.

 

All of the 93-95 stock wheels will have a "50" on them, as that is the stock offset.


Do some reading on the forum. You'll see the second set cracks just the same as the original under stressful use (like tracking with r-compounds or slicks). This is why you don't see much discussion about the wheels today as it doesn't really matter since neither are really stronger than the other.

 

Weird because in the Supra community these guys are launching 800+ rwhp cars down the track on these rims with no problems.

 

Drag racing and road racing are two different sports. Drag racing does not put lateral load on the rims like road racing which is what causes the most stress.

 

Funny you should mention that. I was talking to another buddy of mine last night that said the same thing. So I should be perfectly fine with the rims... No road racing whatsoever just drag racing.

 

Yep. If you take a look at some of the hardcore RX7 drag racing guys, they use stock rims on the rear with no problems.

 

Alright thanks man.

One more question. I am pretty sure I know the answer to this but I would like the confirmation. FD3 rims aren't staggered correct? The front rim is the same as the rears.

 

^ You care correct. All 93-95 wheels are 16x8 +50

 

Well I can't speak for the newer members but the different wheel design theory is well known for us that have been around a while. FYI you may not know this but stock rims also came in chrome... Just a little trivia for you

 

Yes I did know that. Those are few and far between though.

 

yeah and they are ugly as sin, but still better than the non chromie stockers. IMO mazda really dropped the ball with the aesthetics of the stock wheel... I have never been a fan of them not even back in 92 when I first saw an FD in a dealer's lot. I remember thinking gorgeous car but it looks like its riding on 4 spares lol

 

They work great for what I am using them for. Not worried about the looks. I have my Forgeline rims for looks.

 

yeah I know. Mahjik was kind enough to enlighten you regarding drag racing.

 

I am still a little skeptical though. I would rather have the reinforced ones. It is one thing if you don't have a choice but since there are two kinds I have the choice.

 

lol I thought you just said they worked great for what you are using them for Actually from your posts in this thread it doesn't surprise me that you would say that you're skeptical

Edit- well good luck. It be interesting if you get your hands on both sets and either you cracked them both, either, nor neither

 

The rims do work great. I meant overall like I don't need spacers, don't have to shave down my calipers etc... Now I know that it can be done because I have seen it been done many a time. I just feel more comfortable running the reinforced kind.

 

The likelihood of cracking an original vs a "reinforced" FD RX7 wheel is a subject of controversy, so I feel just as comfortable running the originals on my Mazdaspeed3. And though they are decidedly less aesthetically pleasing than my previous set (18" Mazdaspeed Rays) the fitment and performance with Dunlop Star Specs is second to none IMHO---especially considering the price.

 

When they fail, where do they normally crack?

 

Some pictures here:

https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...09&postcount=1
https://www.rx7club.com/attachment.p...7&d=1177551019

 

I was under the impression that there was a different shape to the barrel also between the two versions.