QUICK INFO
OWNER: Intuned Online
VEHICLE: Scion FRS
BODY KIT: Rocket Bunny V2
WHEELS: SSM (Black w/ Machined Lip)
WHY THE SSM?
Looking for an aggressive wheel? Think SSM. Its bold, 5-spoke design and deep machined lip is sure to please those looking for large widths and low offsets all packed into a performance inspired, aggressive fitting wheel.
Alloy Wheel Casting Methods
What is Alloy Wheel?
The term alloy wheels is usually given to wheels ‘cast’ from a mixture of aluminum which is light weight and great at dissipating heat and small amounts of more rigid metals whose presence in the ‘mix’ provides rigidity and helps prevent cracks propagating.
Alloy metals provide superior strength and dramatic weight reductions over ferrous metals such as steel, and as such they represent the ideal material from which to create a high performance wheel. In fact, today it is hard to imagine a world class racing car or high performance road vehicle that doesn’t utilize the benefits of alloy wheels.
Casting is an efficient way to produce a high-quality, strong alloy wheel. There are two methods used. One system is known as gravity casting and the other is low pressure or negative pressure casting.
Gravity Casting
This is the casting process whereby the molten material is poured into a mold and allowed to cool. These molds are usually made by machining a piece of material on CNC machine equipments to produce a wheel that only requires minor finishing (like drilling or possibly trimming of some excess metal) to be considered complete.
Negative Pressure Casting
The other system used is the low pressure or negative pressure casting. Here instead of pouring the molten material into the mould, the molten alloy is drawn up into the mould using a high-pressure vacuum.
–Portions Courtesy of YHI
M.A.T. Technology Wheel Process
Aluminum, the material used in the production of KÖNIG’s M.A.T. wheels possesses, licensed by Enkei is a very simple structure. However, within this structure lie unlimited possibilities. With incremental changes in areas such as material properties improvements, form research, design refinement, and manufacturing methods, the capabilities of the aluminum will be stretched further.
M.A.T. Original and Latest Process
A new manufacturing process has been developed to produce König’s next generation of light weight alloy wheels. The Most Advanced Technology (M.A.T.) combines a one-piece wheel casting technology with a rim forming technology called the spinning process. This new technology of casting and rim forming by the M.A.T. process is critical in improving drastically the material property and strength of the wheels. 
Achieving Metal Flow in the rim part using M.A.T. Process
The M.A.T. Process has a drastic impact on the micro structure of aluminum and result in outstanding improvement of the mechanical property of the material. The process of spinning the rim allows the Metal Flow in the rim part, which resembles the properties obtained from forging process. The control of the metal flow in the rim section results in finer and more even aluminum structure.
Well balanced thinning rim thickness, weight reduction and anti-flex structure in high dimension by the M.A.T. process.
Following the demand for high performance trend every year, tires and wheels are getting larger year after year. In order to reduce weight under a vehicle’s suspension, it is important to reduce the weight of wheels. The M.A.T. process improves the mechanical property of the rim section by shaving the rim’s thickness and therefore reducing wheel weight. The latest manufacturing technology and wheel engineering is a direct feedback.
New Generation of Light-weight Wheels
The process to produce forged wheels and the material used to produce it have very high costs. Many end-users understand the benefits of owning forged wheels but they cannot afford it. König’s new generation of light-weight wheels, made with the M.A.T. process, achieves light weight, strong and anti-flex properties, while keeping the costs affordable to the end-user. The high performance properties and reasonable costs are definitely catching attention of enthusiasts and industry experts! Similar performance as forged wheels while keeping freedom of design using the M.A.T. manufacturing technology has added an exciting new dimension to performance wheels!
The weakest point of forged wheels is the fact that it limits the freedom of design. With years of experience developing light weight casted wheels, Konig has combined the high-tech casting with the new M.A.T. Process to develop an excellent product. König will develop new products with better performance, while removing the limitation of design found in forged wheels.
–Portions Courtesy of YHI
Properly caring for your wheels finish
One of the most asked questions is what is the best way to care or clean a wheel. The answer is far less complicated then most would think. The answer is soap and warm water. The use of chemical cleaners often cause damage to the clear coat which is used on the wheels. This can result in pealing, flaking or burn spots. The use of special cleaners and wheels soaps should be viewed very carefully. Any soap, or cleaner that you put on your wheel may contain chemicals or some type of acidity to help remove dirt. This is why we only recommend a “safe” vehicle soap and warm water for wheel cleaning.
The best care for any wheel is to clean them often so that brake dust and other contaminants do not remain on the wheel for too long. Things like Brake dust overtime actually becomes acidic and corrosive itself. Others who experience winter weather driving, should be proactive in cleaning “road salt” off their wheels during the winter also. These chemical that they place on the roads to aid in snow melting and tire traction, “salt”, can be a few different chemicals. In either case it should be cleaned off your cars paint and wheels regularly during the winter to maintain a safe and proper finish. The best way to care for a wheel is to think of it like an extension of your vehicles paint. If you wouldn’t put it on your paint you shouldn’t put it on your wheel.
Another thing you may want to think about is the use of car wash cleaners. Next time your rolling through the car wash tell the car wash workers NOT to spray anything on your wheels. The chemicals they use are almost always acidic. Whenever possible try to avoid car washes and clean your vehicle the old fashion way.
Properly tightening your wheels
All wheels should be installed using a torque wrench. This ensures that the wheels are not too tight or too loose. Check your vehicle’s manual for correct settings. When you install wheels for the first time, you should re-torque the wheels after about 60 to 90 miles. Always refer to Owner’s Manual for proper factory specifications that take precedence over the listed recommendations.
Here are some basic starting numbers you can follow: 12mm = 70-80 ft. lbs, 7/16″ = 55-65ft. lbs, 1/2″ = 75-85ft. lbs, 14mm = 85-95ft. lbs, 9/16″ = 95-115ft. lbs, 5/8″ =135-145ft. lbs.
This torque should be applied in the correct pattern for the amount of studs of that particular vehicle.
What does Plus-Sizing or Up-Stepping mean?
Plus-Sizing or Up-Stepping are two terms given to the practice of increasing the diameter of your wheels while simultaneously reducing the profile of your tires to keep the overall rolling diameter the same.
Benefits – Plus-Sizing will improve the handling of your car! – each step will reduce the proportion of flexible tire ’sidewall’ to rigid alloy. This will improve response, will help keep the tire tread square to the road and will improve your car’s ‘feedback’. If done properly speedo and odometer accuracy will be retained and the car’s sure to look better (note: properly refers to maintaining the vehicles stock overall rolling diameter).
Disadvantages – In the majority of situations, tire inches are lighter than wheel inches. Plus-sizing can make your overall wheel/tire package heavier. Reducing the profile of your tyres will also reduce your car’s damping deflection under compression [the ride quality will get worse]. Other disadvantages can include you needing more expensive tyres, your brakes looking puny.
One more important thing to think about whenever you change the tire or wheel size. Consider your environment and the area your usually drive on. If you drive in areas where the road surface tends to be rough (i.e. non paved roads or pot hole invested streets) you may want to consider leaving a decent amount of tire. The more tire and cushion the less wheel bends you may encounter. Sometimes choosing a wheel is more then just what looks best.
–Portions Courtesy of YHI
