What is the big deal? Yeah they are magnesium and they are forged, but how do they compare to forged aluminum? Are they that much stronger or lighter? Also, if they are that much better, I want forged mag wheels. Yeah it'll take a while to get them, but oh well. I just wanted to know if there is a place that sells 17 inch forged mag wheels. Of course sizes for the 7(3rd gen)

 

The TE37 wheels are forged alloy and do not contain magnesium. They are light and fairly strong due to the forging process and wheel design. An alloy is a compound metal (made up of different metals).

You don't want magnesium wheels. They are brittle, oxidize quickly and can catch on fire when exposed to heat (such as metal to concrete after a blowout). Some race cars have magnesium wheels, but there are few wheel manufacturers that make them anymore. RS Watanabe does. I have an old set of Minilites from the 60s that are magnesium. They weigh 10lbs each compared to my 14.5lb set that are alloy (both are 14x6). These days wheel manufaturers have much better processes with better metals than magnesium.

 

There are TE37 Mags, there are also Mazdaspeed wheels that are mag that are kinda new too.

 

Mag wheels are not for street cars.

 

Ok, thanks guys. I am glad you shot them down because they were wayyyyyy to pricey. I don't know why they are so much more when they aren't as good. Maybe it's just a racecar thing.

 

Why aren't mag wheels for street cars?

 

Read my post above. I didn't mention that once Magnesium catches fire, NOTHING can put it out. The US Navy uses magnesium flares. They're easy to light underwater.

 

A class 'D' fire can be put out, a bucket of sand will do it most times.

If there is no other disadvantage than risk of fire (nothing new for the 3rd gen), I don't see any reason not to use them on the street.

 

Magensium definitely has a coolness factor. It's not inferior to alloys or aluminum, it just has different properties. Lighter, more brittle, oxidizes easily.

I don't think it is the best choice for a lightweight street wheel since modern forged aluminum wheels are almost as light, considerably cheaper, and do not have the fire factor. But magnesium could still be used on a street car and possibly never have any problems.

BTW, a bucket of sand will not put out a magnesium fire, but it might be cool to watch the sand melt and then form into glass once it finally cools!

 

They are not durable either. No where near the strength you need for the street.

 

Magnesium powder lights up wicked easy, but I don't think whole magnesium wheel lights up at all. Things don't just blow up, rules of combustion apply.

 

I agree with EricM, it takes at least a propane torch to light a thin magnesium ribbon, a forged wheel is a little thicker.

BTW check out this link:

http://genchem.chem.wisc.edu/demonst..._magnesium.htm

 

A few slivers is far different from ten or more pounds.

It oxidizes very rapidly. The oxygen from the air alone will turn freshly cut shiny magnesium to grey black in seconds. I remember from my basic chemistry class when the instructor cut a small sliver of pure magnesium and dropped it into water. It created a firey blaze and bounced around on the water surface until the gas it created made it jump out of the container entirely.

I'm not here to argue, BTW. I promise.

 

Somebody at a sevenstock had the TE37 magnesiums... it was that purple 3-rotor car, w/ the crazy rear suspension.

They only come in dark blue, and in limited sizes/offsets. I believe i've read the most mag wheels are now alloys that are a little more suitable for street than they used to be. My dad had a set of real mags for his Fiat 124... pretty cool.

BBS and OZ and Speedline also make mag wheels... i think if I were to bother, i'd go all out and do a center-lock hub conversion too.

 

Magesioum alloys are light, strong, but brittle, not to mention--a fire hazard. Not the best choice for road wheels, but C5 Corvettes have/had mag wheel options. I presume road-going mag wheels have LESS Mg content than pure racing versions of mag wheels?

 

This is so ridiculous. It took me 2 seconds to lookup the MSDS (material saftey data sheet) for magnesium.
Here it is:

http://www.skylighter.com/msds/MAGNES.htm

 

I also agree with SleepR1. These wheels are alloys. Would wheel and car manufactures really just sell dangerous, highly flammable wheels to any average joe with the money?

 

Agreed. But as late as the 1960s they did. I have a set made by Minilite. Old dragsters used magnesium wheels made by companies like Halibrand. Cobras (as in Shelby AC) came with manesium wheels.

Imagine selling a car today weighing 2200lbs with 450 torque/horsepower, no airbags, no head rests, no collapsible steering wheel, thin aluminum doors with no side impact protection, and no shoulder seatbelts (just a lap belt). Crazy, huh?

 

Brought this back from the dead because damn, I want these wheels. Forged magnesium, and an 18x8.5 weighs 12.9 lbs. That's 2.5 lbs LIGHTER than the stock wheels. That's unbeatable.

 

Per my post from a couple years ago, they only come in dark blue, and only in limited offsets, and they cost 18 trainloads of money.

 

heres my set:

 

woot woot magnesiums FTW

 

Absolutely gorgeous. Do you have a pic on your car? I don't care that they're expensive, going from 16x8 to 18x8.5/9.5 without gaining any unsprung weight is priceless. And you can get them in +40 offset front, +38 offset rear.How do you like them neofreak? And if you don't mind me asking, what did a full set cost you with shipping?

 

they're not mine, i'm just fooling around. =) one day though.

 

Haha damn, still nice. I heard there was someone on here that had them, saw a pic of one on a white FD at Sevenstock.