RPF1s or PF01s for StopTech'd FD

[ZDan]

I'm about to get a set of wheels/tires for the FD, trying to decide between RPF1s or PF01s.

Sizes would be 17x8.5 +40 front, 18x9.5 +45 rears either way.  Although I might still go 17x8.5 front 17x9.5 rear (RPF1 only option there).

I have confirmation from Enkei and other sources that the 17x8.5 +40 RPF1 will clear StopTech calipers.
Anybody running 17x8.5 +40 PF01s over StopTechs?

Feel free to post up with pics, info or to express yer opinion one way or t'other!

tia...

[Speedfab]

I dont think 6/12 spoke pattern wheels look right with 5 lug centers.  that and RPF1s look exactly like the burner guards on my gas stove.

I'd do the PF01s.

[markfluko]

that and RPF1s look exactly like the burner guards on my gas stove.

Then they will look perfect when you're burning rubber 

I remember reading when the PF01's were in development that they would be lighter than the RPF1's... but then when they were real eased I think that they are actually about 2-3 lbs heavier a wheel. I will try and find something to confirm this.

So I would go with RPF1's for small weight savings.

[markfluko]

http://www.mazda3forums.com/showthread.php?t=361243

this is the thread I remember reading discussing weights and sizes... so it looks like PF01 is 2 lb heavier per wheel in 17x8.5 +40

[ZDan]

Yeah, that's part of the conundrum.
PF01s are indeed 2 lb. heavier per 17x8.5 front, 3 lb. heavier per 18x9.5 rear.  +10 lb. of unsprung/rotational mass, ohnoes!

Lookswise, I used to be dead-set against any 6 or 8-spoked wheels with 5 lugs, and in general I much prefer an odd number of spokes (PF01 qualifies as 2x5-spokes). 

But the RPF1 has a slightly more utilitarian, form-follows-function, "race car" look to it.  And I like the fact that the spoke design and smaller-diameter dropped center makes them look smaller in diameter.

Purely aesthetically speaking, though, PF01s do look nicer.

[markfluko]

Sounds like all you need to know is if they clear BBK.

I found this:

Took a couple of picture of the test fit for the 18x9.5 (+45) with my Brembo GT50 front calipers. Tons of room even with 355mm rotors!
About 5/8" between the caliper's "top" and the the inside rim
A hair over an inch from the caliper's outward logo'ed edge to the inside of the closest spoke.


here, post #16
http://www.rx7club.com/suspension-wheels-tires-brakes-20/finally-enkei-pf01-installed-fd3s-18-pics-909433/

[ZDan]

Sounds like all you need to know is if they clear BBK.

Yeah, that's the only question: Will 17x8.5 +40 PF01s clear 332mm StopTechs on the FD.

Took a couple of picture of the test fit for the 18x9.5 (+45) with my Brembo GT50 front calipers. Tons of room even with 355mm rotors!
About 5/8" between the caliper's "top" and the the inside rim
A hair over an inch from the caliper's outward logo'ed edge to the inside of the closest spoke.

Wow, that is a ton of clearance!  I think fitment of 17x8.5 +40 over 332mm StopTechs is almost a foregone conclusion.  Would be nice to get specific confirmation, but I don't think I'd have qualms about going ahead with the order.

The 18" silver PF01s look HUGE on the red FD pics!  Got me rethinking possibility of 17" RPF1s all around.  But then rear tire options are severely compromised...

[Speedfab]

FDs hate RPF1s so much they'll spit them off to be rid of them:

[12secondscooby]

I like my rpf1s a lot, plus they're easy to come by used if you want to save some money. I got mine for less than half ($700 shipped with tires) what I could find them for new (although they're a bit narrower than I'd like, 17x8/17x9 +45). So light as well....

[ZDan]

I like my rpf1s a lot, plus they're easy to come by used if you want to save some money. I got mine for less than half ($700 shipped with tires) what I could find them for new (although they're a bit narrower than I'd like, 17x8/17x9 +45). So light as well....

Looks great!  I was this close ->||<- to getting those exact size RPF1s, and running 215/45 fronts and 245/45 rears for the Texas Mile run (lower aero drag!).  But since I'm getting uber-costly (Y)-rated tires, figured I better get the sizes I really want, even if it costs me an mph or two...

[ZDan]

FDs hate RPF1s so much they'll spit them off to be rid of them:

As much as part of me wants to laugh, it still hurts to watch that.  Ouchies!

[ZDan]

17x8.5 +40 PF01 clears StopTech calipers by a HUGE margin. 

Looks pretty schweeet...

[digitalsolo]

Horrid.   Sent it to me for your safety.   




Seriously though, looks great.   Then again it's a white FD, they're hard to make NOT pretty.

[mattster03]

RPF1's are more betterz.

[ZDan]

^^^ Looks great!
Had I gone the RPF1 route, my fronts would have been the convex face version, which looks very different.  I wasn't too worried about it, but happened to see an S2000 with convex RPF1s up front and concave/flat rears.  Didn't look all that hot...

Extremely happy with the look of the PF01s

For the record, they're 17x8.5 +40 fronts and 18x9.5 +45 rears, with 245/40-17 and 275/35-18 Michelin Pilot Super Sports. 

The car feels more responsive now vs. the 255/40-17 front 265/40-17 rear Dunlop StarSpecs (on TE37s) I had on before.  With those tires, the front end felt a little vague/numb and was more prone to tramlining.  With the new tires, I can feel the front end a lot more, the car seems to do a much better job of going where I point it.  The ride is a lot smooover and quieter as well.

The new front wheels/tires are 42 lb. vs. 45 lb. with the TE37s/StarSpecs.  Rears are about the same (49.9 vs. 49.6 lb.) due to lighter-weight tires on heavier wheels.