How can you tell.....cast vs forged?

[VJR3]

The 5-spoke Gen 2 rims that ran from 1996 -1998 (I believe), how can you tell the differance from cast to forged? I know the 96's were cast and I think the 97's were a mixed bag.

Would love to know whats on my car and I want to pick up an extra set this winter. Thanks

 

[RT/ED]

The cast 5 spoke wheels have a weld bead just behind the spokes on the inside of the wheel. The weld goes around the entire circumfrance of the wheel. Get the forged, stay away from the cast if you want to have piece of mind.

 

[RT/ED]

Cast wheels have a weld bead on the inside just behind the spokes. The weld goes around the entire circumfrance of the wheel. Lots of horror stories with the cast versions cracking and breaking. I had to hairline cracks on two spokes that gone unoticed would have resulted in a catastrophe! If you have cast wheels, check them regularly for hair line cracks, or, get the forged for piece of mind, or upgrade to later model wheels.

 

[DrumrBoy]

As stated above, the cast have a weld line visible from the inside of the wheel. To help, here's a pic of the inside edge of a forged wheel....note a smooth interface between the spokes and the hoop.

 

[VJR3]

THANKS GUYS

 

[VJR3]

Thanks Guys

 

[99 R/T 10]

Your 97 should have the forged wheels. Cast typically came on only the 1996 cars.

 

[Paul Hawker]

The biggest problem with the cast wheels was when owners put on stickey tires and ran them ******* the road courses.

For normal operations they mostly held up pretty well, but the stickey tires put them over the edge.

 

[JonB]

Your 97 should have the forged wheels. Cast typically came on only the 1996 cars.

I usually agree with Mike, but not this time.... about 1/3 of 1997 Vipers have the cast wheels. At least 400 cars.
In fact the STANDARD 1997 was a silver painted wheel, which was cast. The 1996.5 GTS release was supposed to be in April 1996.... was delayed til 6/96, primarily due to delayed wheel issues. Those wheels carried over to 1997 Blue/White originally planned as a 1-year color.

One easy way to tell is that the cast wheels look dull, and dont have high-reflection. The forged wheels also had a different polisher-vendor and are a high-polish look. All 1998 were forged.

 

[gb66gth]

I usually agree with Mike, but not this time.... about 1/3 of 1997 Vipers have the cast wheels. At least 400 cars.
In fact the STANDARD 1997 was a silver painted wheel, which was cast. The 1996.5 GTS release was supposed to be in April 1996.... was delayed til 6/96, primarily due to delayed wheel issues. Those wheels carried over to 1997 Blue/White originally planned as a 1-year color.

One easy way to tell is that the cast wheels look dull, and dont have high-reflection. The forged wheels also had a different polisher-vendor and are a high-polish look. All 1998 were forged.

Tell 'em how is it Jon!

 

[SoCal Rebell]

The biggest problem with the cast wheels was when owners put on stickey tires and ran them ******* the road courses.

For normal operations they mostly held up pretty well, but the stickey tires put them over the edge.

Yeah I actually saw it happen at Buttonwillow Raceway. My friend Manny Coats was running his '96 around and I saw the wheel come off during a high speed sweeper. I thought he forgot to tighten the lugs but when he was towed in the hub was still attached to the studs the wheel ended up somewhere in "Lost Hills".

 

[RevHeat]

DeanWIII was the first to figure out this problem. Here is Manny's rim: