I was browsing thru different sites, checking out the SSR SP1's, and I saw a disclaimer on the Gruppe-S site, stating:

"Speed Star Racing wheels sold by Gruppe-S are inherently different from Speed Star Racing wheels sold by Speed Star Racing USA and its affiliated distributors, including Tire Rack. SSR wheels sold by Gruppe-S include JDM finishes and styles not available in the United States, and must be warrantied by us. "

http://www.gruppe-s.com/SSR/SSRProfessor.htm

By that, do any of you know what the main differences are? I thought SSR's were imported from Japan, just like Volk, 5-Zigen, and the likes? If there are major differences, like structural integrity, please let me know. Or, is it just an asthetic thing, like the Japanese SP1 has lettering on the face of the rim, as opposed to the blank face like the one shown on tire rack?

Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks for your help!

 

Tire Rack is the US distributor for SSR -- SSR sells wheels through the Tire Rack that are not available elsewhere. Recently, Tire Rack has begun selling more wheel choices (SP1, DK5, etc).

However, it may be a moot point as apparently SSR has declared bankruptcy. Who knows what will happen with their wheel designs or technology.

 

damn, I REALLY wanted to get the Professor SP1 in black too. . . . it looks different from every other thick 5 spoke wheel out there

 

double post-

 

Well,

I think of it like this. Althought even Rishie heard that the japanese ones and us ones wouldn't be the same, I still think they are. I don't really think SSR would just have enough time and afford to manufacture two different qualities of the same product. Why should it? Even it could lower the cost (Which tirerack sells them cheaper ), but how long could it take to cover the cost of getting another kind of manufacturing differently.

But, anything is possible, right? Even SSR gone bankrupt. Shoot.

 

I seriously looked into the black SP-1s too and located a vendor who had the JDM wheels in stock, but I ended up passing on them because I found out that these wheels are HEAVY.

 

I see that you ended up going with the Fikse, or at least at one point in time ya did. Just for the sake of knowledge, since SSR is for the most part, defunct, can ya share how much they weighed? ballpark if you dont remember.

 

They are the same wheel.
The colors and finishes can be different.

SSR did a study on US consumer buying habits for rims, and one of it's conclusions is your typical US buyer wants a polished lip.
Thus, the SSR Comp rim all come with polished lips.
The Japan-only SSR "Type-C" (same rim) does not come with a polished lip.
This is the most obvious example.


-Ted

 

another difference is size choices. lowest offset for sp1's is +24 from tirerack (or so i've heard). though thats not really a problem for most rx7's, the 240sx crowd likes lower.

 

Yes, I did go w/ 17" Fikse FM/5s, but sold those because I got tired of keeping the polished finish clean all the time, and I just didn't like the way the wheels looked on a white car. IMO, they look better on other colors like VR, e.g. Rich's ("GoodfellaFD3S") car.



As for the SP-1s, I don't remember the exact weight since I looked into them about a year ago, but IIRC, they were in the ballpark of ~21-22 lbs. in a 17x8.5.

And check out post #4 here where one of the Tire Rack guys posts that these wheels are indeed heavy:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=517792

 

There's always the Work Meister S1 like mine, hehe. These are lightweight 18" 2 piece is forged disc and barrel. They are a tad more expensive than the SP1, but higher in quality.

Here's a pic of mine. The SP1 have a very flat spoke, similar to the Work Termist TS2. The TS2 only comes in one painted finish. Crystal silver. That's where your choices are limited. The Meister however has a curved spoke, concavity to it.







We have some Termist TS2 coming in for a customer next month so i'll really get a close up of these wheels. I'll make sure to take pics and see how much they really do resemble the SP1. It just sucks they won't do it in black for me. I tried to ask many times.

 

Oh my God. . . i think I just wet my pants. . . . Those TS2's look immaculate! If you can get more close-ups i'd really appreciate it! Do you know if they will ever release it in a metallic/chrome looking black? sorta like SBC but in black? or. . . in black all together? Im looking for a new street wheel. Let me know buddy!