Need some help on custom wheel project - SSR Formula Mesh or Similar

[vex008]

Hoping someone/wheel gurus can help.
Looking into doing an old skool setup if its possible and doesn't put me out on the streets.
Interested in the SSR Formula Mesh or something very similar (open to suggestions).
I think 16s would be too small for what I want to do so looking for a set in 17" or 18" with lug pattern 5x114.3
If I find 17, will have rebarrelled to 18s with a stepped lip
would up size the 18s to 19s if 18s are found.
If anyone has contact info for someone that does custom rebarrelling, let me know. Thanks in advance.

SSR Formula Mesh

[KarlSpackler]

Well, the SSR Formula Mesh/Reverse Mesh wheels are not 3 piece.
They also never came in 18"

So, I have a path that you can go down but you will spend 4-5K

[Southwade]

http://www.icbmotorsport.com/rarejdmrims.html

http://www.memoryfab.com/wheels/used

[vex008]

KarlSpackler - My second and third options would run me around 3.5 - 5k anyway. Don't mind paying decent $ to get what I want.
Let me know what path this is you speak of.

Southwade - Checking those sites out now. Thanks.

[KarlSpackler]

KarlSpackler - My second and third options would run me around 3.5 - 5k anyway. Don't mind paying decent $ to get what I want.
Let me know what path this is you speak of.

Southwade - Checking those sites out now. Thanks.

I would talk to Image wheels, Tunershop.de or these guys http://ph-server.com/iclair/

They all will make custom lips and barrels. Maybe even call CCW.

If you want them 17", simply buy some SSR mesh that you like lip/barrel wise and have the barrles widened/narrowed to meet your spec. Obviously the closer you find them to the spec you want the easier it is. That is what I did, I had the barrels narrowed on my SSR Formula Mesh wheels. I bought 3 sets of 4 wheels to make my 1 set. I built all 3 and sold 2 to make back some of my money. You just need 6-7k laying around to do so.

I bought 1 set for the faces, they were 5x120 with a D face (really low disk)
I bought 1 set for the front wheels, they were 5x114.3 17x10 with the right size outer lip dimensions. I then had 1" removed from the barrels to make my 17x9 -2 front wheels
I bought 1 set for the rear wheels, they were also 5x114.3 17x13 but again had the right size outer lip dimensions. I had 3" removed from the barrles to make my 17x10 +0 rears.

That is what I had to do because SSR Formula Mesh are really rare. They are even more rare in 17" and CRAZY rare in stepped lips, and IMPOSSIBLE to find in 5x120 but I did what I had to. It was well worth it. If you got to see them in person or I am sure you have seen pictures but they came out amazing. Crappy thing is, IMO the E30 M3 needs 18" wheels and I didnt want to bastardize my wheels anymore than I already had.

Here are a few pics:







Now, If you want to widen the step lip on a 2 piece wheel, you can order new outer lips in the size you want from one of the 3 places above, and send them to Eric Vaughn Machine. He will put the wheel on a lathe, take the existing outer lip off and weld the new lips on thus keeping the 2 piece wheel. Eric is a bad ass and has a crazy amount of knowledge! I was very impressed working with him.

Finally, if you NEED 18", you can order custom lips and barrels, send them to Vaughn, have the lips/barrels welded together and then insert your SSR face. I wouldnt try to use the SSR faces as a 3 piece wheel face because that isnt how they were designed and I am no engineer so I wouldnt risk it but it is your car/life.

Hope this all helps, I am building a set of 2 piece wheels in 18" using the exact steps you see above. All you need is money and some know how

[KarlSpackler]

Oh yeah, forgot 1 more thing you need.

A very understanding wife

[vex008]

didn't realize that was your car.
it is #1 motivation to get this setup
#2 was a green s2000 that has a similar setup.
will do some more searching as the wheels end result I think would have to be 18s at the minimum to suit my car (350z)
problem is I am in the Cayman Islands so it can be a little difficult getting things done as I like to be more hands on when it comes to projects.

[vex008]

problem I would have is shipping and storing as I find bits and pieces and then once all has been acquired - ship them to the persons / shops for finishing.
still looking into it though

[KarlSpackler]

problem I would have is shipping and storing as I find bits and pieces and then once all has been acquired - ship them to the persons / shops for finishing.
still looking into it though

Yeah, shipping will kill you. It killed me but I just bit the bullet.

I bought all 3 sets of my wheels from Japan so that just added insult to injury

[cheez80]

+1 for the suggestion for eric vaughn -- he's up the street from me. i spoke to him a few weeks ago, and he knew his shit.

[vex008]

being that I'd need 18s it might be better off doing the SSR FM on my EF9 Hatch and go with my 2nd option for the 350z
probably do my 3rd option on the wifes new car when that gets here - a distracted wife might yield the same result as a understanding one - but shes pretty understanding, might help a little with me tackling two cars I currently have and getting myself a 4 door as well
Thanks ppl.

[FABEL]

everytime I come across KarlSpacklers M,

I just cannot get over the amount of work & dedication that's been put into that set of wheels. it's just unbelievably over the top & simply out of control!

the mindset & vision of all this . . . did you guys read all the work devoted to these? seriously, it's unbelievable to say the least.

& to think, he's building another set right now! as in this second to outdo the current setup . . . wait, what? yep!, James is a absolutely a nutso.

I love it!

[Jedidiah]

I would talk to Image wheels, Tunershop.de or these guys http://ph-server.com/iclair/

They all will make custom lips and barrels. Maybe even call CCW.

If you want them 17", simply buy some SSR mesh that you like lip/barrel wise and have the barrles widened/narrowed to meet your spec. Obviously the closer you find them to the spec you want the easier it is. That is what I did, I had the barrels narrowed on my SSR Formula Mesh wheels. I bought 3 sets of 4 wheels to make my 1 set. I built all 3 and sold 2 to make back some of my money. You just need 6-7k laying around to do so.

I bought 1 set for the faces, they were 5x120 with a D face (really low disk)
I bought 1 set for the front wheels, they were 5x114.3 17x10 with the right size outer lip dimensions. I then had 1" removed from the barrels to make my 17x9 -2 front wheels
I bought 1 set for the rear wheels, they were also 5x114.3 17x13 but again had the right size outer lip dimensions. I had 3" removed from the barrles to make my 17x10 +0 rears.

That is what I had to do because SSR Formula Mesh are really rare. They are even more rare in 17" and CRAZY rare in stepped lips, and IMPOSSIBLE to find in 5x120 but I did what I had to. It was well worth it. If you got to see them in person or I am sure you have seen pictures but they came out amazing. Crappy thing is, IMO the E30 M3 needs 18" wheels and I didnt want to bastardize my wheels anymore than I already had.

Here are a few pics:







Now, If you want to widen the step lip on a 2 piece wheel, you can order new outer lips in the size you want from one of the 3 places above, and send them to Eric Vaughn Machine. He will put the wheel on a lathe, take the existing outer lip off and weld the new lips on thus keeping the 2 piece wheel. Eric is a bad ass and has a crazy amount of knowledge! I was very impressed working with him.

Finally, if you NEED 18", you can order custom lips and barrels, send them to Vaughn, have the lips/barrels welded together and then insert your SSR face. I wouldnt try to use the SSR faces as a 3 piece wheel face because that isnt how they were designed and I am no engineer so I wouldnt risk it but it is your car/life.

Hope this all helps, I am building a set of 2 piece wheels in 18" using the exact steps you see above. All you need is money and some know how

James.. you have brighten my day in so many ways it's not even funny. Where is this Vaughn fellow located? Man I just got really giddy

[OG patina]

love that front plate mr spackler

[KarlSpackler]

everytime I come across KarlSpacklers M,

I just cannot get over the amount of work & dedication that's been put into that set of wheels. it's just unbelievably over the top & simply out of control!

the mindset & vision of all this . . . did you guys read all the work devoted to these? seriously, it's unbelievable to say the least.

& to think, he's building another set right now! as in this second to outdo the current setup . . . wait, what? yep!, James is a absolutely a nutso.

I love it!

Man love?

James.. you have brighten my day in so many ways it's not even funny. Where is this Vaughn fellow located? Man I just got really giddy

The sun shines out the crack of my ass on the daily so I am glad I could brighten your day as well
Mr Vaughn is in CA

love that front plate mr spackler