rudypoochris

The original intent of the group buy was to obtain a wheel in 17x9.5" that looked like a Watanabe R-Type and duplicated it as much as possible. The RB looks like a Panasport, not the R-Type. I was originally unaware that there was a difference between the RB and the RB-R style. I am sorry in that regard. In all honesty, if the RB's did not fit right out of the box, most likely they would of been dropped for the RB-R styling entirely. Fortunately the molds were made and they fit. The few that prefer the RB's could thus order them. I am sorry it is a 10 order minimum per color on the RB. It is not that way on the RB-R fortunately as the representative is willing to suck up the expense of ordering multiple sets with only a certain number of confirmed buyers. It has always been a 10 order minimum to have them made at the factory, the only difference is where the representative is willing to stick his own neck out. Unfortunately he does not feel like the RB's are the right place to do it with the up and coming RB-R's. I can't blame him in all honesty. He has ordered 20 sets of the RB and would probably want to have moved at least 75% of those before ordering any more colors. This hasn't happened as the demand simply isn't there. The RB-R he has more confidence in. I am sorry you have to look elsewhere and your time was wasted. If you are still interested in ordering RB's I suggest as a possibility saving $50 by paying money order, then having them powder coated or painted locally. I realize this costs more. Look elsewhere for wheels by all means, but if you realize it is still more economical and easier to go this route, we would love to have you.

To update you all and answer a couple of questions: 1. The representative has both RGM and flat black RB's ready to ship from California. The RGM supplies are starting to run a little low though. 2. Colors other than RGM and flat black for the RB's are not available at this time. If you wish to wait it out, by all means you can, but he needs to place a minimum order of 10 sets per color, thus making it difficult to obtain any color in the RB with the up and coming RB-R looming over head. For those wanting other colors, the RB-R's should be available in quite a bit more choices; including bronze. 3. Shipping to Australia ($200 extra) is by air. 4. I have been told, the sample wheels should be shipping out this week and in to California within the next 2 weeks. Hope that answers any inquiries! Feel free to PM me with additional questions.

I suppose so. PM me the name you used to contact him with. Additionally where did you guys leave it, did you call back after you hung up on him? Did you give him any money or payment information? Thanks.

Thank you. As long is that is what you wanted then that is perfect. If it is not what you wanted to have happen, let me know. I also believe the RB-R will be a superior wheel aesthetically, and hopefully a smidgen lighter (can always hope, right?). I will be calling the representative tomorrow just to keep on top of things and see where we are at.

I had a guy just buy an LSD center from me. He wanted to do COD. I suggested he paypal me half now and half when received. It is pretty hard to get screwed this way I would think. Sorry for your bad luck.

Honestly I have no clue. I would assume not very long though with the way the dollar is going.

I agree. Fortunately for some reason I seem to be able to 'decode' what Kim says a bit better than most. I shouldn't have to do this, but unfortunately there is no such thing as a free, or in this case cheap, lunch. I just spoke with the representative. Basically he has RB's in RGM w/ polished lip and flat black. In his warehouse now, he can ship them out within two days or so (Yes you can switch color orders now). The availability of other colors right now for the RB's is a bit iffy. If you do order another color, you may very well end up waiting weeks to get it. This is due to a combination of manufacturing minimums as well as the launch of the up and coming RB-R which Kim believes will be, "[a] much better [wheel]". Basically the representative realizes he is going to be in deep doo doo if he orders a minimum of say 5 sets each in 7 different colors only to have 1 set of each sell. At the end of the day though, that really should not be our problem. The rep SHOULD of said, only these two colors will be available until further notice. Alas he didn't say that and we are where we are now. If I could run the entire thing from manufacturing to distribution, believe me I would and I would do it different. I can't though unfortunately and this being my first group buy, I am mainly just wising up to the depentability and time estimates I get from above. For those of you who are indeed time constrained and want the RB's in a different color I SUGGEST you attempt to pay with money order as apparently that has knocked the price down to $700 shipped for some, then get them painted or powder coated whatever color you please. This is not ideal, this is not perfect, and it is not what you all were told you would get. That is unfortunate, but beyond that there really isn't much I can do. I am sorry. As for the RB-R's. I have been told that a pair of samples shall be arriving at the warehouse hopefully by the end of the month, maybe a week later (we all know by now though that this could very well drag a week or so). We have an option here. Wait it out for the samples, or tell them to go straight to production. I am inclined to see the samples first, just to make sure there isn't something drastically wrong with them. Thoughts on this? I hope this helps alleviate some of the issues. I realize fully that conditions are not ideal and not what people necessarily expected. Time delays are not good. On the flip side, a lot IS being done. Molds are being made, wheels have been shipped, etc. etc. At least there is communication happening between manufacturing, distribution, me, and ultimately you all. Do not worry about wheels not showing up, money taken, etc. etc. That simply is not going to happen under my watch by any stretch of the imagination. For now though, if you want these wheels unfortunately your going to have to suck it up a bit, as this is what it takes with this manufacturer and this representative. It has been almost, if not already, a year now. I think we are close and around the last hurdles, that does not make it any easier or less frustrating, I know, but hopefully when the wheels DO come you all will appreciate them.

Yep. I talked to Kim yesterday. Apparently black and RGM are already at the warehouse and are being shipped out. He is getting back to me on RB-R status.

Here is some food for thought on this thread... Source: http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/579/6-ways-youre-wasting-gas;_ylc=X3oDMTE3YjFtdXFhBF9TAzI3MTYxNDkEc2VjA2ZwLXRvZGF5BHNsawN3YXN0aW5nLWdhcw-- Quote: I have thought this for a long time. This is a HUGE impact in my opinion. It is like going 30mph for free, but you are stationary. Obviously "half-mile worth of gas every minute" is a vague term with no speed listed, but it is interesting none the less.

Which offset? There are two wheel sizes in two styles. The sizes are: 17x9" -13 front 17x9.5" -19 rear The two styles are the RB (as pictured on the 280zx and way back in this thread on a 280z) and the up and coming RB-R which will have a slightly different spoke design. The RB's are available for order NOW. The RB-R's will be available for order any day now depending on how testing goes at the factory. So, to answer what I think your question is. Yes, you can order a set of just four 17x9's -13 if you like. Or you can order a set of four 17x9.5" -19 if you like. It is up to you. The configuration we tested was 9" front and 9.5" rear, 9" all around should be no problem. 9.5" front would possibly require a little trimming/fitting/rolling, I honestly haven't tried it. What you cannot do is order a 9.5" in -13 though since this requires completely new molds. Hope that helps! If you are just wondering the sizes that Rota RB's come in, in 17" there is a 7.5" and an 8.5" as well. I don't think the 8.5" or 7.5" are offered with an offset below +4. Not sure if the 7.5" is even offered with the +4, you would have to ask. PM me your email address and I will send you the information.

If you can test it, sure! I would totally be interested in a front splitter. I really think that kind of stuff becomes MUCH more effective when it goes from the front all the way to the rear. If you guys can get it effective enough by itself then I guess thats cool and I would jump on it and just adapt my own belly pan and rear diffuser for the rest of the way (if I ever did it).

Good luck. If your looking for a staggered fit in 16x7 and 16x8 it might not really be an option (then again maybe it is). I know that when the sample RB's arrived in 17x9 -13 and 17x9.5 -19, they both had the same dish to them. The rear tire merely had more material on the back of the mounting face.

Just picked these up! They seem to be of high quality and Pete is a pleasure to deal with. I would definitely recommend these for those needing such a piece.

The entire fist was on the rear only though IIRC. As for the tire, specs are 255/40/17 front and 275/40/17 rear. I would give it a slight roll as well, but keep that tire specification, as it really isn't far off at all. It is up to you.

Depends on wind speed. I don't want higher than 2.73 as it really will be a dog. I am shaving off RPMs and a bit of torque since I am going before the torque curve. That kills the horsepower really. In any case, I wasn't driving like a 20 year old. I was driving like I would consider I normally do about 1/2 the time.

Gollum and I were able to fit the prototypes on his hack job 280zx today . As far as I can tell the suspension was all stock. Unfortunately the front lower valance/air dam was missing, but I do believe it will clear with out an issue. The wheels and tires cleared with flying colors all around. The rear especially has room for more tire/wheel inward. As far as flaring goes... The front only sticks out maybe .5"-1" the rear closer to .75"-1.25". I think the fronts actually look fine with out flaring, but the rears probably look a bit out of place w/o a tad bit of rolling imho. Sorry that I couldn't get more photos at greater distances, it was cramped there. The wheels really look great on the car, unfortunately the pictures do not do them justice imho. Enjoy!

I really appreciate the kudos. I spent a decent amount of time getting it to where it is. I hope to just keep adding content until people start using it and contributing. Thanks again!

I second the brass cleaner. I have only run it with walnuts and it works spectacularly. Next up from the gun cabinet would be "G96 Gun treatment" I think that is what it is called. It is 'triple action'. Let this stuff soak for ~10 minutes, then rub a coin edge or other abrasive over it and all the rust comes off.

I believe roostmonkey is making fenders. Those things are already so light... but maybe... If you do do a front splitter I would find a complete setup that is smooth with front, mid, and rear sections of far larger appeal. Yes it is 3 times the work, but that is what it takes to make these aerodynamic modifications "worth it" imho. I would THINK the effectiveness of any of those one pieces alone would easily be much less than 1/3 of them put together. Right?

Once again. Rotary engines are NOT the norm for the aforementioned short companies... "One company mastered it". Maybe they did, I don't think so personally. So why don't they use it in all their cars then? Maybe because it isn't ideal for all the reasons I just mentioned. It certainly is not complex.

I would think a full under body, front diffuser, center section, and rear diffuser would appeal to many. Maybe out of fiberglass since I could see CF being prohibitively expensive in that size/quantity. I would think that the front diffuser could come "close enough" to most aftermarket air dams, then let the end user make or source his own CF piece to bridge the final gap.

I usually see around 18-19mpg combined per tank. I drive it like a 20 year old around town, so figure that into the equation. Last all highway trip, I averaged 74.5mph at 20.6mpg with 4 wheels and tires in the trunk to sell to a fellow HBZ'er. That is with passing spurts to the mid 80's and slows to the high 50's for truck blockages on I-5. I think for that average speed, that is very reasonable. Tires were at 36psi all around. Best tank I ever remember getting was 23mpg and that was up to the mountains and back down. I think the altitude which kills your power also helps your economy. I am sure I could get MUCH better than I do, if I just slowed down. Realistically all the highways around my area though are traveling ~70-80mph and I am just impatient maybe. The truck doesn't make 300hp though, so it isn't quick, which I assume is why it gets decent fuel economy. It is ~155hp and 220ftlbs.

Whenever I move the shifter down from 5th to 4th. I am using very little, I would say <10% at 65mph. 80% of driving is at highway speed if not more.

What SCCA bulletin? Is this ANY racing, or is this professional racing? Any kind of link at all? Any resource? Any mention of who conducted this survey? Ummm... I don't know of a single piston engine that uses a steel cylinder head. It is typically cast iron or aluminum. Furthermore, iron cylinder heads CRACK when exposed to high heat... Aluminum heads don't. Double furthermore, piston engines DO NOT HAVE AN ISSUE WITH OVERHEATING. They haven't pretty much since conception. They have an issue with overheating if their cooling system is improperly set up or damaged. Any IC engine out there right now is going to generate a ton of heat, rotary, piston, etc. I am not saying rotary engines are bad at all, but lets get the basic facts straight first. There is a multitude of reasons as to why rotary engines are not the norm and piston engines are. It isn't some coveted technological marvel. They just don't compare in all honesty when you look at things such as; power under the curve, fuel economy, and reliability. These 3 things are easily enough to separate an ideal engine from a less than ideal one. In fact, just one of those things can do it.

RB-R is on the right.